Seat belts, yeah or neigh?

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Shoulder belts in 35, 49 and 54 F-100. I'm alive today because I was using shoulder belts (and air bag) when hit head on by a drunk.
 
Not yet, however I've had two lap belt sets in my parts drawer for 6 years. Been thinking about installing them, this post may just be the push I need to finally install them.
 
I have them in the 39 convertible coupe for the last 130,000 miles as this was driven on major highways at 65 MPH. I just ordered a set for my 39 convertible sedan which I will be driving on a tour of 1,500 mikes or more next month. G.M.
 
I had a nephew killed in a fire truck crash because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. The fireman riding with him was wearing a belt and wasn't even scratched. He was thrown out and the truck rolled over him.
 
I don't have them installed as yet, but my pickup is not yet finished. I plan to install shoulder belts. 29 years in police work with four years as motorcycle officer taught me how important shoulder belts are. They save lives. Lap belts do too, but they also cause spine damage and accelerate your head into the steering wheel or dash if you are close enough. Shoulder belt is the way to go if you want to really protect yourself. Cautious driving only does your part in keeping you safe, but no one can be prepared for an "act of God" or the other careless driver. Accidents happen in fractions of seconds sometimes and I don't care who you are if that happens you don't have time to react and avoid it. That's my whole 2 cents on it. Shoulder belts for me.
 
All good inputs! I will most likely put them in as part of my winter projects this winter. Question: I only saw one of the posts about installation from slowforty "Fasten the seat belt to the floor of the car and not the frame.". Is this the preferred installation? Are kits avail with suggested safe installs available?
 
I think 3 point belts are the only way to survive a mishap. Major or not we have a tendency to drive fast than design. Whoops could could our last.
 
I have lap belts in all three of my old Fords. 35 yrs. of police work and seeing the damage to people who didn't wear belts will absolutely convince you to install them.
 
Lap belts in my '34 Coupe. That was the first project that I did when I got the car in 1999. I purchased them from Juliano's and have been very pleased with the look and quality of them. I installed the "old-style" roller retractors to keep the belts from falling on the runningboard when getting out of the car. I performed the eulogy at a "car buddies" funeral a couple of weeks ago after he was thrown from his car during a crash. I won't back out of the garage without my belt fastened!

Jim
 

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AnthonyG said:
Question: I only saw one of the posts about installation from slowforty "Fasten the seat belt to the floor of the car and not the frame.". Is this the preferred installation?
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Fasten to FLOOR...NOT the frame. Good advice! Think about this scenario. IF your belts are secured to the FRAME and the accident is severe enough that the body of car (and seat) moves forward in relation with the frame, the belt can easily sever the occupants' torso(s), as the belt will NOT stretch. DD
 
This has been asked numerous times previously and while a lot of responses are offered, very few allow just how they have attached them within their old Ford.
I won't argue against seat belts but would like to stress that improperly installed belts can do you as much or more harm than no belts.
They must be installed to the FRAME with the proper fasteners. At a minimum, grade 8 bolts and large grade 8 washers are a necessity.
Shoulder belts? I'd like to know just exactly where they can be properly installed in any one of our old Fords without the addition of some type of serious "B" pillar reinforcement.
Yep, lots of "oh yeah, I have belts in my car" but seriously, just how many guys actually gave the PHYSICAL DYNAMICS involved when one of these old cars crashes any intelligent thought?
I'm all for safety - don't get me wrong. Just don't believe the simple installation of belts will help you if not properly installed.
I do recall clearly one guy in a previous (related) thread stating he had his one belt go from one side of the seat all the way to the other. His (delusional) thinking was he would quickly move to the center of the seat thereby avoiding the steering wheel when approaching a pending accident. Really? A head on collision with a stationary object at 55MPH is OVER in 9/10 of one second.
I don't believe Superman could move to the center that fast :)
Belts? Yes. Installed PROPERLY? There is NO alternative.
 
Kube you are the first person I have ever heard say to attach them to the frame. Please elaborate.

On my 38 truck there is a light gauge bracket that runs from the b pillar to the back window. Add a piece of heavy stock behind it and it is stronger.

Will it be as strong as a new car designed for shoulder seatbelt. No. But is it better then nothing at all. I believe so. A crash at high speeds you may never walk away with or without seat belts but I prefer them.




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I believe that most of the 3 point sets that I used came from Juliano's (http://www.julianos.com/3_point_belt_bench.html). They're a little pricey at $99 per side. The main picture on the site shows you the parts that are included. Thick plates go under the floor for attaching the belts. You get a another thick bracket that you weld to the B pillar. It's not really a hard job unless you interior is finished.
 
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