My seatbelt install

steve57 · Post by **steve57** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 5:41 pm

I recently put a new headliner in and decided not to use the old shoulder belts. I didn't want use the old location or move forward either. So I mounted them like this.

Post by **terribleted** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 6:37 pm

Not sure such a low attaching point is safe for that anchor on a 3 point belt.

steve57 · Post by **steve57** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 7:09 pm

My opinion is these cars were never really designed to have shoulderbelts. So any installation is a compromise. It took me a month to decide to do it this way as I did not want anything hanging from the roof.

Post by **BobWitt** » Tue Mar 15, 2016 7:50 pm

I like it. I've been struggling with how to do 3-point belts without violating the openness of the pillar-less late coupe design...

I then saw the shoulder belt system and presenter on the new Buick Cascada! The retractor is in a similar position as this - with a cool motorized presenter. I could not locate a photo, but here is an Audi that is very similar...

Would love to see more build photos, how you reinforced the turning loop, and a seated position photo to see how it rides!

Nice job. Good luck with your project...

steve57 · Post by **steve57** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:31 pm

Thanks for the comments. Sorry I don't have any installation photos. I used the mountng bracket supplied by seatbelt supplier , http://www.wescoperformance.com . Its up to the installer to decide where they want to put it. I made a temporary bracket out of sheetmetal to lay over top edge and down into window channel . I attached turn buckle to it. That way I could move it back and forth to get it in a position that was right for me.

Post by **terribleted** » Wed Mar 16, 2016 7:43 pm

Cars that use a low mounting point (and there are a few) feed the belt thru a strong loop on the seat back to keep it in position high on the shoulder near the neck. With nothing to hold it in position there it is likely to slip down off the shoulder during a violent crash and not restrain the upper body like it should. That said if you are in a truly violent frontal crash in a Vair the biggest issue is likely to be the steering wheel coming up and smacking you in the face restrained at the shoulder or not.

lostboy · Post by **lostboy** » Thu Mar 17, 2016 7:29 am

Like Ted said, I would maybe grab a guide off of an 80s Camaro or something. It hangs f the seat. I'd be worried about crushing your collarbone and shoulder in the event of a crash, but I could be wrong.

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Cman · Post by **Cman** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:31 am

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I've installed lots of roll cages and harness systems.
Shoulder harnesses should ideally be mounted +/- 10 degrees above or below the shoulder, or routed through or over a secure point that is- like a cross brace or a solid seat back that is designed to withstand that type of load.

With a harness mounting point that low in relation to the shoulder, the tightening effect of the belt as your body moves forward in a frontal crash will have a tendency to crush your spine. Serious injury could result including shoulder injury, ruptured discs and crushed vertebrae.

lostboy · Post by **lostboy** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 7:25 pm

No I don't think you're raining on anyone's parade, you could be saving a life, or at least saving someone from some extensive medical recovery and bills.

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steve57 · Post by **steve57** » Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:42 pm

I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.

LandShark · Post by **LandShark** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:19 am

steve57 wrote:I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.

Hi Steve,
I have a 65 vert and when/if I do front shoulder belts, I'll have to do pretty much exactly as you've done. I too saw some documentation, not exactly sure where I found it, that specifies what you've done (and what I would) are as you've said, within the recommended angle range.

lostboy · Post by **lostboy** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 1:55 pm

steve57 wrote:I knew when I posted this picture i would get some negative comments. The angle that the seatbelt crosses my shoulder is the same as the other vehicles I own . So this is no issue for me. The angle of the seatbelt from shoulder to turnbuckle is within the range shown in FMVSS 210 anchor points. All seatbelts can and do cause injuries regardless of the mounting location. They way l mounted it works for me. If I get in an accident and survive l will post the results. Thanks for your comments and concerns.

I wasn't trying to be negative at all. Style wise it's absolutely perfect. I'm no safety engineer either, I was simply pointing out my concerns which could be non-issues completely. Either way, it's got to be better than meeting the dash with your face or being ejected through the windshield.

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steve57 · Post by **steve57** » Mon Mar 21, 2016 6:03 pm

Lostboy , my use of the word negative was just saying they possibly disliked what l did. Your comment was about someone elses post. Everyone has their own opinions on this type of seatbelt install and I respect that. . My last post was just giving my reasons why I installed my seatbelts this way. Thanks for your comments.

LBC TITAN · Post by **LBC TITAN** » Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:42 pm

Great piece of information Cman. If ever I'm in an accident while in the Corvair I want to have the proper safety harness. I'm going with the Sebring seats.

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OzJavelin · Post by **OzJavelin** » Mon Apr 04, 2016 3:37 pm

Cman wrote:With a harness mounting point that low in relation to the shoulder, the tightening effect of the belt as your body moves forward in a frontal crash will have a tendency to crush your spine. Serious injury could result including shoulder injury, ruptured discs and crushed vertebrae.

This.

Very amicable trying to improve the lap-belt on an original Corvair, but unfortunately this is likely to cause injury even in a low-speed accident .. probably spinal compression.

Here in Australia (and most likely in USA) this type of belt would be illegal. On a pillarless hardtop you would need to mount to the roof with a suitably re-inforced mounting point.

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