Adding Shoulder Belts to a Convertible?
 

I'm really interested in adding shoulder belts to my '69 convertible.

I understand these were originally available as an option (A85-custom shoulder belts), but were standard on all coupes.

Is there ANY difference between the components for the coupe versus those for the convertible, or are they interchangeable?

The shoulder belts are retractable. What years were the lap belts retractable? I'd love to have those, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get them in the right color. My interior is bright blue...'68-'70 only.

If I went with a non-OE option like this: http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...50g&ukey=25091 Would I be able to dye a tan set to bright blue and have them look decent?

I know I'll need to add the seatback guides for the shoulder belts, and probably reinforcement plates for the shoulder belt mounting points. Any other items that will need addressing?

Anybody that's "been there/done that", I'd appreciate your advice.

Rick :cheers:

I used rear belts from a 4th gen F body.

I think you might ruin the seat belts (color-wise) by dying them. For the price in the ad I would think they would come in the correct/or very close to the color you want.

Expert members might know a vendor who could dye them for you with good results.

The 69 outer lap belt has a receiver hole for the shoulder belt. Does yours come with or without the receiver hole considering the fact that it didn't come with shoulder belts? Just wondering. T

I am not sure about '69. Is there room under the seat for a retractor?

My '72 was lap belt only car with retractors under the seats. Being a convertible they were all rusted up and not usable.

I bought a set of dual retractable belts from a sponsoring vendor. They are gold; not the same saddle as the original. Tell you the truth, I don't mind the color. The buckles are in the original sleeves and you can't really see that part anyway. They function well so I don't mind the weird color.

edit, I didn't do anything with the upper mounting points except mount the retractors. The holes were there.

Hi,
I believe using the under the seat retractor that appeared for 72+ requires a mounting plate below the underbody for the belt mounting bolt that 68-71 cars don't have.
Regards,
Alan

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640...922/O1da4c.jpg

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I don't think that's going to be an option, color-wise. I'm not finding any 4th gen interior colors that are even close.

Why would dye ruin the color?
The belt set I posted the link to only come in a dark blue. If I tried to change the color with dye, I'd assume it'd be best to start off with the lightest color they have (tan).

I'm not at home to check, but I'm pretty sure the lap belt has the hole for the shoulder belt "post" to clip into.

I'd assume the same for '69, but not 100% sure.

As always, great pics, Alan!

Has anybody used a later (78+) system? Similar to modern belts where the shoulder and lap belts are the same belt and pull across to the receiver on the trans tunnel side.

:lurk:

Go for it.....I hope the belts dye exactly the color you desire.

:thumbs:

That's what I did too. Work well.

my 68b has retractable lap belts. I put alot of heat padding under the seat which diminished its ablitiy to retract effectively. I'll be doing this later this summer so keep up the posts

Hey RJ,
I also have a 1969 convertible.
I am kind of in the middle of the same thing. I bought a set of the 1969 shoulder belts which as you know are not that easy to come by. I believe they will fit directly into your factory lap belts.
You can easily buy the small shoulder belt retainer that mounts on the top of the seat as they remake them and originals are not that difficult to come by. What I don't know and hope you or someone can answer is the quarter panel trim. I presume like the 1970 to 1972, the quarter panel trim will have a hole in it for the shoulder belt to pass through. Does anyone on here have a picture we could see of a 1969 convert with shoulder belts? I believe there were very few of them made. The quarter panel trim is of course different in the coupe.
RJ, there is a complete set of tan belts on the online auction house right now for 299 I think if you want to stay original.
Pete

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Well, the first hurdle has been cleared. I located the mounting point for the shoulder belts. Pulled back the rear wheel well carpet and found the mount, plugged with a plastic screw. That's a relief, because adding the reinforcement would have been a PITA.

So, even though very few 69 convertibles were outfitted with option "A85 - Custom Shoulder Belts", it appears the factory installed the mounts anyway (at least as early as my car's July '69 build date).
:thumbs:


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Hi RJ
I have shoulder belts in mine ,the quarter trim has no hole in it the belt goes around it. I have no retainer on the seats I have one but it not on there. The belts are not retracting they wrap around the front of the seat
And fasten to a clip on the front of the seat. I'll take some pics for you
Later today after work. They are origonal to the car and rebuilt by
Snake oil restoration service.

I want to do the same on my newly purchased 70 , not sure how to go about it , my wife does not want to drive in it with out shoulder belts . Me too I guess :)

Thanks RJ and JBrooke,
That helps me a lot too. I never knew where to look and assumed I would be installing some type of mounting system but have located my mounts on my Dec 68 build so that clears that up and will save all kinds of time.
With no hole in the quarter panel trim like younger models, I presume the shoulder belt just slides next to the quarter panel trim?

That's odd. My 69 coupe does not have any signs of having shoulder belts. Is this true that all 69 coupes had standard shoulder belts in 69?

jim\

Perhaps an addition during the model year

JBrooke, Can you take some pics of your setup? I'm also interested in doing this to my 69 convertible.

Thanks.

I'm still working on this. Been installing carpet and doing some other repairs, so it's been a little slow.

I did source a set of original '69 shoulder belts. Going to have to have them refurbished with blue webbing and dye the plastic parts. Then, need to buy and install these...

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...1de80e8784.jpg

I was actually looking at doing the same thing during my restoration. I have sourced 1 (black) single shoulder belt in very nice condition, but need a second. I know 69' are different as they have the pin as part of the shoulder belt receptacle. Anyone know where to source a 2nd 69' black shoulder belt? I have been looking at lall the big internet sites without luck.
Joe