What is available (easiest/cheapest) way to install retractable seat front seatbelts with the shoulder harness? I would like to install rear shoulder belts as well. Anyone done that? Car is a 68 Skylark. Thanks
Read this ongoing post about the rear shoulder belt option: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=175226&highlight=rear+shoulder+belts
She does not like it too much when I hit a bump or the throttle and the lap belt cinches up a click, then another click ou: . I'd like a solution as well to repace the separate lap and shoulder setup in the `72 I have.
I'm looking for more safety for the kids in the back seat and not cinching yourself in like you have a straight-jacket on if you use the for shoulder belt. I was hoping to find a simple conversion w/out having to modify my floor/roof/door pillar structure, or taking out a loan on my soul to pay for new belts. Anyone know what year retractable shoulder seat belts started?
>>Not sure what year the rear shoulder belt option started but apparently it was a rare one. There is some discussion as to if a front shoulder belt can be used in the rear - I think this may be the case. If you look in your trunk at the metal underside of the package tray you will see two holes on each side in an indentation which is where the shoulder belt will mount to with a metal plate.
I remember seeing a 70 (?) GS back in the mid eighties that was up to it's axles in mud that had the rear shoulder belts. A buddy of mine tried to buy the car or at least parts, but could never get the owner to respond. Car disappeared after a few years of sitting there abandoned.
All cars have rear shoulder belt anchors in the package tray. You can use the same shoulder belts from the roof to attach to the package tray...you may have to shorten them.
>>This is what I am going to do - just won a set of front shoulder belts on ebay so will see how that fit in the rear when they arrive.
I wonder if the belts out of a newer car would be that hard to retrofit into the rear seat? I may have to go to a local pull-apart and do a little sleuthing.
Didn't get around to it yet, but Steve is ahead of me on the rear shoulder belt project as he has a set of belts and is working on the mounting bracket as well.
>>Hi Tim, Sure, here is the ongoing thread on the rear shoulder belt project: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?t=175226&highlight=rear+shoulder+belt
3 point seatbelts are available via a number of aftermarket vendors. On the shelf or short delivery. I've been searching the net a bit on my own for my little experiment. They will likely work fine but will not be correct factory set-up. I'm looking for factory stock. I n a stock set-up: The rear shoulder harness is 48" long vs. the front which is 41" long. The rear belt has a female buckle vs. the front belt has a male end. I just bought an original rear set-up in black. I'll be using this as a template to make my own in TAN. Machine shop currently farbicating the anchor plates for me. One seatbelt vendor has offered to make these based on my sample set. I may be sending the black ones to him for reference purposes. No idea where costs will land as I'm just starting to get somewhere with this. Difficult pieces to find are the plastic bolt covers, identical to the front covers at the ceiling. Difficult that is if you want something other than black. The most difficult piece is a small plastic strap retainer that prevents the end from flopping around once the belt is adjusted. This is made of "unobtanium" regardless of colour. An expression of interest will be noted next time I talk to the vendor. Prices aside for now, who has interest in buying a set of these? Price will be dictated by quantity in a small run.
An expression of interest will be noted next time I talk to the vendor. Prices aside for now, who has interest in buying a set of these? Price will be dictated by quantity in a small run.[/QUOTE] >>I might be interested in a correct rear shoulder belt set up in tan like yours - I already have the plastic shoulder belt covers (in saddle, will be painting them to match).
I had a couple pair made. First pair is currently in my car. Second set I think I let go when I sold the black template set of belts.
