Seat Belts ?

[bige386]

Just wondering how many of you have installed seat belts in your old Fords. When I bought my 46 Tudor Sedan There was a brand new set in the trunk. Iv been meaning to put them in but haven't done it yet. With the back seat foot rest in place it kind of make it hard to install them.

[1949FORD]

My dad and i were going to do it, but law here in Minnesota states, that if you have "Collector Plates", you may have your car stock, without seat bests or airbags.

[Jerry Parr WI]

Originally Posted by 1949FORD

My dad and i were going to do it, but law here in Minnesota states, that if you have "Collector Plates", you may have your car stock, without seat bests or airbags.

Good idea to check state requirements. Wisc code 347.48 Safety belts says

(2) Type and manner of installing. All such safety belts must be of a type and must be installed in a manner approved by the department. The department shall establish specifications and requirements for approved types of safety belts and attachments thereto. The department will accept, as approved, all seat belt installations and the belt and anchor meeting the society of automotive engineers' specifications.

Have not seen any that claim to comply.

[1949FORD]

belts*

[Kens 34 PU]

If you plan to drive it, do yourself a favor and put seat belts in it, even if nothing more than lap belts! If you want it to look original, you can always tuck them away when showing it!

Seat belts DO save lives!

[Scott H]

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I'm planning to put this type in my 36 pickup:
http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo...-vehicles.html

[Vergil]

Three point belts in '31 coupe and '30 pickup, lap belts in '37 Chevy ... if they help just a little it is better than nothing ... but that is only my opinion and I don't try to change anyones mind ...

Vergil

[Old Henry]

My wife was just uncomfortable enough without seat belts that I took the longest one out of the back of my van and connected each end of it with the biggest screw-on chain links to the biggest forged I-bolts I could get connected through the floor with huge fender washers and lock nuts underneath. I know - it's not going to keep my chest from being impaled on the steering column etc. etc. But it will keep us inside of the car if it rolls or the doors open and keep my wife from launching though the windshield. And, I can disconnect it for car shows. No one seems to see the eye bolt hidden behind the door post.




Then, for the Death Valley trip I decided to give the old ladies in the back some sense of security by installing lap belts back there. Again, connected with screw-on chain links to eye bolts through the floor so they can be removed for car shows.

[49r]

I put lap/shoulder inertia-reel driver/passenger belts and lap belt for centre passenger in my F1 when my boys were little - didn't want them bouncing around inside the cab ... or worse. I'd fallen out of my fathers V8 Pilot when I was five after the door flew open going around a corner - still remember the headache. No lasting damage, except I can't get these old Fords out of my system ...

[JWL]

If you are going to drive your car it is stupid and/or ignorant to do so without seat belts. Period.

[46ford]

Originally Posted by JWL

If you are going to drive your car it is stupid and/or ignorant to do so without seat belts. Period.

I guess that settles that.

[V8 Bob]

[QUOTE=Old Henry;428324]My wife was just uncomfortable enough without seat belts that I took the longest one out of the back of my van and connected each end of it with the biggest screw-on chain links to the biggest forged I-bolts I could get connected through the floor with huge fender washers and lock nuts underneath. I know - it's not going to keep my chest from being impaled on the steering column etc. etc. But it will keep us inside of the car if it rolls or the doors open and keep my wife from launching though the windshield. And, I can disconnect it for car shows. No one seems to see the eye bolt hidden behind the door post.


Old Henry,
I applaud you for driving your Ford as much as you do, and in all kinds of weather to boot! However, your seat belt installation is not good at all. What will happen, when and if they are ever needed, is a single occupant will be forced/moved to the center of the belt, and two passengers using the same belt will be slammed together. You really need to have a separate belt for each person so that it can be adjusted for minimum movement.
The belts should also be solidly bolted to the floor, not through any links.
Install the belts correctly, and they'll help prevent injury instead of causing it.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by V8 Bob

Old Henry,
. . . your seat belt installation is not good at all. What will happen, when and if they are ever needed, is a single occupant will be forced/moved to the center of the belt, . . .

That sounds good to me. I want to be anywhere in the front seat other than behind that steering wheel. That was the number one cause of death of drivers of these old cars - being impaled by the steering wheel and steering column that were being pushed toward the driver by a front end impact while the driver was slamming into it by the momentum of his body. That's why all modern cars have collapsible steering columns. I keep rehearsing in my mind my protocol for any front end collision if I have time - throw myself to the right of the steering wheel. My full width seat belt will accommodate that better than a single one that would prevent that. IMHO

[Kube]

I keep rehearsing in my mind my protocol for any front end collision if I have time - throw myself to the right of the steering wheel. My full width seat belt will accommodate that better than a single one that would prevent that. IMHO[/QUOTE]

Rest assured, you will have NO time to react.
A typical head on collision (whether in to an oncoming car or a tree) at 55MPH is OVER in 8/10 of one second.

[V8 Bob]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

That sounds good to me. I want to be anywhere in the front seat other than behind that steering wheel. That was the number one cause of death of drivers of these old cars - being impaled by the steering wheel and steering column that were being pushed toward the driver by a front end impact while the driver was slamming into it by the momentum of his body. That's why all modern cars have collapsible steering columns. I keep rehearsing in my mind my protocol for any front end collision if I have time - throw myself to the right of the steering wheel. My full width seat belt will accommodate that better than a single one that would prevent that. IMHO

Since logic doesn't prevail here, I'll just call your belt installation the worst I've ever seen. Any passenger brave enough to get in that car and get belted in will likely be injured because of the belts, and not be protected by them. If you value the safety and health of your passengers, you'll remove your present belts, links, eye bolts NOW and properly install separate belts, anchored correctly.
If the steering wheel is your big concern, install a 3 point system with a shoulder belt connected to the "B" pillar, like Juliano's and others offer.

[coupe5w36]

I put inertia reel belts in my coupe as it's a daily driver. Even if it wasn't, I'd still prefer to have them. I've been going to fit lap belts for the rumble seat but as I never take passengers out on the road haven't got around to it yet.

[31chevy]

I put them in my 34 pickup & my 48 DeSoto just lap belts.
Gary.

[Ford46]

The Early Ford V8 Club of America treats seatbelts as a safety item. At national meets no concourse points are/should be deducted for having them installed. Fire extinguishers on the other hand are mandatory... LouB.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

I can disconnect it for car shows. No one seems to see the eyebolt hidden behind the door post.

Originally Posted by Ford46

The Early Ford V8 Club of America treats seatbelts as a safety item. At national meets no concourse points are/should be deducted for having them installed.LouB.

I know this but still don't like the looks of anything in my car that interferes with the authenticity of what it was really like in its day - to take one back to that time. So, I take them out for the benefit of the viewers.

[Mafman]

I want to second what Scott H said about the belts from Wesco. I'm installing a set in both the front and rear of my '39 Deluxe Fordor. Great installation instructions and kit.