FLYNAVY30

Has anyone retrofit a set of 3 point seat belts into a convertible? Im just curious if its even possible as the car Im buying is going to be driven frequently and I'd like to have the added restraint without delving into the world of aftermarket harnesses, bars, cages, etc.

Thanks

FLYNAVY30

disregard...did some more research and found that the 3 point belt was in fact an option on the '69 convertible...just need to ensure the mounting hole is there under the carpet for the shoulder belt reel and then purchase the correct/matching shoulder belt.

Garys 68

Mine didn't have a hole in the fiberglass but the metal backing plate underneath it had the hole drilled.

doorgunner

NO...NO...don't disregard....!

Post pics....I need to do the same thing!

FLYNAVY30

hahaha....ok....once my car gets delivered in a week or two, Ill do my best to get you some pics. Its a very well taken care of, low milage example and everything is as it came from the factory. Hopefully the metal backing plate is installed as I would very much like to add the shoulder belt while being minimally invasive.

TimAT

MY 69 did not have factory shoulder belts, but the holes are ready to bolt them in. The fiberglass is drilled, metal plates are tapped, and the factory put a rubber plug in the hole. (at least I guess the factory put the plugs in)

Surfer69

Mine had holes ready to go. Hard part is finding the belts and stuff.

brando1118

If not judging the car, don't 3rd and 4th gen F Body seat belts fit?

ddawson

On a 69 no as the mount point is on the side of the wheel well not the top.

You would have to fabricate some bracket which then brings the question would it hold.

I too want to add shoulder belts with the long cruises I've been doing.

c69vete

As you may or may not know, the 69 shoulder belt assembly was mounted on the inside of the wheel well. All of the 69 convertibles had the metal bracket riveted to the underside of the body. That plate had a nut welded on it and the clearance hole is in the fiberglass, As mentioned above, the hole had a plastic plug in it if the car did not come with shoulder belts.
The 4th gen Camaro rear seat belts are a viable option, but need to be mounted on top of the fender inside of the cargo area to work.
Here is the bracket I fabricated to use the Camaro belts. It bolts into the original bracket on the side and holds the stud to mount the new belt assembly.

FLYNAVY30

thanks guys, lots of good info here. Are the reproduction shoulder belts really that hard to come by, or is it the price associated with them? Just curious, I guess Ill do some shopping around later today.

blitz10

I bought lap and shoulder belts from corvettemods, they are on the forum. Pulled carpet back and located bolt hole. It was easy. Had to find and buy the shoulder belt guides that go on top of the seat, they cost as much as the belts.

doorgunner

Sharp bracket!

Thanks to the members for the ideas!

This stuff/info/pics is being sent to my Christmas present--Wireless printer!

69schemers

Does mounting the shoulder harness retractor to the top of the wheel well get in the way of the top when folded down?

c69vete

No.

Flatout496

Where do you mount the third point, the point that's usually above or at shoulder level?

c69vete

My car is a convertible and I used the seat back bracket that so many people are looking for now.





Now I have custom covered Fiero seats with a seat belt pass-thru, similar to the early 70s seats.



I do not know how most guys with a coupe handle this, but the 69 coupe used the bracket as shown in the first pic.

I should also note that my quarter trim is of the 70 and newer convertible style. The 69 trim is shaped differently to allow for the side mounted seat belt retractor. The 70+ shoulder belt retractor was mounted on top of the wheel well and the shoulder belt came thru a window as you can see in the above pic.

c69vete

Just a FYI for anyone considering this option, the nut plate installed on the 69 bodies extends up and under the flat area where the Camaro belt retractor will mount. If you look under the body, and above the frame, you should be able to see this bracket This bracket is only sheet metal and will not hold bolt threads, and I am NOT reccomending anyone do this, but a nut or a nut plate, could be inserted between the body and frame to catch a bolt inserted from above to bolt in a seat belt assembly.

BB68Vett

c69vete, I like your fabrication of that bracket. I am considering the same/similar set up on my '68. Is the top part of the plate you fabricated secured at the top of the wheel well. Just thinking about in the event of an accident if the plate may have a tendency to rotate on the bolt going into the side of the fender. Not sure if that's a real issue or not, or if it offers less, the same, or more protection than just lap belts, but if that plate rotates forward in an accident it seems it would create slack in the belt. If it is an issue, maybe another through bolt through the top of the fender will prevent any rotation (of course you would need some sort of metal reinforcement underneath to make it viable). Just my thoughts.

c69vete

The above bracket is tight against the top of the fender well. If you look closely, there is a locating pin thru the side of the bracket. this would have been used to prevent the original assembly from rotating.
My bracket is 1/4 in. thick S/S, tig welded together. The stud is a flat head bolt counter sunk from the underside and tacked into place. I do not worry about the strength and quality of the things I make for myself. I have been in the metal fabricating trade for 40 years.
I do not know if the 68 had the nut-plate in place from the factory. Did the 68 have a shoulder belt option? I have seen coments here from 68 owners that said the hole in the side of the fenderwell was not there.
I would trust a piece of 3X3X3/16 angle to do the same job as the fabricated baracket above.