I installed lap belts in my 53 today. It was not too difficult a job. Biggest challenge was making sure the washers did not overlap and that I could get a washer and a nut on the ones over by the doors (thanks Nate for that advice in the archives). Here are a few pictures. I had some good help!
Only thing that worries me bout lap belts is that i saw a programme on tv bout older cars in accidents and the glove boxes tend to drop open and become a gillotine for whoever is sitting in front of it! ________ Lexus es history
That's Why..... ...They used to call it the " Death Seat " Much more often the doors will pop open and toss you into the street , just in front of your oncoming beloved truck.... Seat belts are MANDATORY guys Don't kid yourself , these and all other old timers are 100 % DEATH TRAPS so if that bothers you , sell it now .
Well, with all the morbid stuff aside. Your truck looks great inside. I like your seat upholstery. Keep up the good work! Gater
Good job, and not being ejected from the cab is what saves people. If it wasn't so pricey I wish every truck would have three point belts, underbed gas tanks, and bearclaw latches. What you have done is infinitely better than nothing.
Hey Evan, What's so expensive about three point belt systems for the AD trucks? Have you seen Deve's website? It has a seatbelt instalation how-to for three point belt system for the AD trucks. From a company called "Juliano's". Entire kit is about $90.00 per person. I consider that to be NOT too pricey for the degree of peace of mind it brings. But...maybe I'm missing the boat and the "Juliano's" system is not what it is cracked up to be. Either way, the thing I wonder about with three point belts in our trucks is how does the shoulder strap work???? In late model cars, they are controlled by some sort of computer program I guess. You know, step on the brake a little too hard and the shoulder strap locks up. How can you get that to work on a truck that was designed when computers took up an entire room and they had to worry about moths getting into the relays (I digress--sorry). Seriously though, how does the shoulder strap do ANY good at all if it doesn't have the capability to lock up when needed? Andy
Duh... Answered my own question as soon as I finished the last post and called "Juliano's". Their belt systems will lock up when subjected to a sudden jerking motion. I'm guessing it is kinda like the older shoulder belt systems before cars had computers in them that were more powerful than the one on Apollo 11. Andy
Andy ; They're called ' inertia ' typ seat belts and they lock up fron either sudden change in direction -or- being unrolled too quickly . I see no reason to pay $90.00 each side when there's plenty of good ones in junked pickup trucks , esp. Japanese trucks . Just remember to do a serious mockup before you weld in that upper mounting point as the wrong position and it'll be hell to drive your truck with the seat belt rubbing against your neck .
Nate, I am right with you on the saving of bucks and love to salvage stuff. But, have you seen the seatbelt installation how-to on Deve's site? I'm sure you know it, because your valve adjustment step-by-step procedure is on there. Anyways, I really like how well thought out the system is and how ALL the parts you need to complete the installation come with the kit. Structurally, it looks really good and the how-to on Deve's site is so good that instalation of this oh so important safety device should be a breeze. As far as salvage yards are concerned, Nate you are spoiled. Any salvage yard here on Long Island is late model ONLY. They are mills and extremely small, most less than an acre in size. They make their money selling parts off wrecks bought at the auctions to other guys who rebuild the wrecks bought at auctions. I would love to have the luxury of going to a large salvage yard full of all kids of vehicles and doing this part of the project on the cheap, but it would cost me more in gas jut to get to such a yard. Nearest one I know of is in PA. So, safety wise and time wise, this time I am going to go with the bucks and do it. After all, I know these old rigs never had safety in mind when they were designed and my kids are going to be riding with me. Andy
The reel type belts have a ratchet type assembly that works with a set of springs and catches, you can pull the belt at a reasonably fast speed but it gets to a point where if you pull it too fast the centrafugal force on the reel throws the catches out and they lock up, its designed to lock only if the person wearing it is thrown forward rapidly as they are in an accident, never try and dismantle one of these as they have a tightly wound flat spring in there like a watch spring, and they are damn dangerous if released, easily take your eye out or slash the skin. And could you ever trust the fact that you got it re assembled correctly? ________ PORNSTARS SPANISH
Retractible Saftey Belt Service I always take 'em apart as the webbing gets all stiff & nasty from sweat over the years... the retractor also tends to get full of dust & lint and I like 'em to operate easily and quickly so the belts don't wind up hanging out under the doors... Remember : lots of hot water to wash safety belts and NO strong detergents ! . If you don't want/need to take the retractor apart just use a belt clip and slide it against the reel after you've rolled the belt all the way out . Those springs certainly do have sharp edges so work carefully ! .
Andy, I meant the combination of belts, bearclaws, and underbed tank gets a bit pricey. The belts are by far the most important and plenty affordable. Nate mentioned Jap trucks and I like the mid 80's to mid 90's Nissan setup. The reel may be a bit more compact but mainly the lockup mechanism is sensitive and positive. If you forget to snap them before your moving you'd better be on a smooth road or they won't unreel.
Again- great info! I'll check Deve's against what a Nissan's setup looks like. I'm all about recycling also! heck~ I drink box wine afterall!
Okay, I get it. I will try and take a look around the poor excuse for salvage yards we have here on Long Island for the Nissan stuff, but I'm not holding out much hope. Gone are the days around here when salvage yards have much of any use. They were NEVER big even when I was younger, but at least they had real gear heads in them who would walk out to the yard with you and find the part you needed. That's the main reason I'm hot on the setup seen on Deve's site. I just know it would be an exercise in futility to try this in a yard around here. Andy
