3 Point Seat Belt Installation

[woodysrods]

I know! For you old time Forum guys this point has been beaten to death.
But, even with some knowledge of the search function on this Forum. I have yet to find some clear pictures or suggested donor belts for a C bodied Hawk.
My wife want shoulder belts in her 61 Hawk and rear seat belts that wil accomodate new style infant car seats.
Does any one have what they think is the best thing since sliced bread?
Please help.
Good Roads
Brian

[JBOYLE]

Since it sounds like you really want to be safe...I'd do a search for firms that sell complete kits and not trust a jury-rigged setup.
There is an outfit in the UK called Quickfit and they specialize in retrofitting older cars with modern seatbelts.
The UK classic car magaize I read is always writing about them adding shoulder harness, rear seat belts and baby seat setups to the classics their writers use as daily drivers.

Here's their website:

http://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts.asp

Their Gallery shows a setup with a rear seat shoulder harness in a 56 Chevy, a old Cougar and various Mustangs.
I'll bet they could sell you the parts, and a suggested installation setup (which you may have to modify since they probably don't have a specific installation guide for a Hawk)...bit it would give you an excellent starting point.

[junior]

Brian, check the old posts. When I installed mine I did not have a digital camera, and did not take many shots with the film camera. I used aftermarket 3 point front ones, and stock GM ones from a 90's something Cavalier 3 point ones which look sharp, and are easy for my kids to use. Also, it was a pita to install the front ones without welding a plate in the b-pillar...I had to snake up a length of 20mm angle iron with the anchor nut welded to the backside, and then bolt the angle iron to the pillar with four 1/8" bolts because the whole job was done after the interior was installed and the paint job done...relative walk in the park for you with your skills and the fact your Hawk is bare metal. Sorry I don't have photos of the install. pm me if you want my phone# if you have any questions. These aren't good photos, but hope they help somewhat. regards, Junior.

[junior]

Hey Brian, just went through my pile of receipts for the Stude and found the $ and part nos. for the Cavalier seat belts...must have been my pre-caso days as they cost $298 incl. GST for the pair from a local GM dealer. This was in 2004, so who knows if they are even available anymore. What I really liked about them was clean factory installed look, and the retractors are behind the seat and behind the c pillar, plus the stock rear seat remains unmodified. The location of that pillar is totally wrong for an anchor point in relationship to passengers shoulders and torsos. Oh, the GM part nos. are 12509827 and 12509826. Hope this helps you out. Junior.

[JRoberts]

Contact Julianos Street Rods. I put a set of their 3 point belts in a '55 four door several years ago and will be putting some in my Cruiser. I am putting them front and rear so the grandkids can ride in the back seat. The rear belts will be the most difficult and I think will involve some welding of sheet metal onto or under the package tray frame work. Haven't figured it all out quite yet. If you contact Julianos by phone they will be happy to make suggestions for special applications.

[woodysrods]

Finally back at the seat belt question, as it is time to do it, not talk about it.
Any suggestions for the front seat (stock 56 bench from my power hawk) to be used in Sandi's 61 Hawk.
I plan to use the Cavalier belts in the rear as Junior suggested.
Good Roads
Brian

[Welcome]

Finally back at the seat belt question, as it is time to do it, not talk about it.
Any suggestions for the front seat (stock 56 bench from my power hawk) to be used in Sandi's 61 Hawk.
I plan to use the Cavalier belts in the rear as Junior suggested.
Good Roads
Brian

No suggestions on "seat belt" install per se, but be aware there is a big difference between a '56 Hawk front seat base frame and that of a '61 Hawk.

Basically, your '56 Hawk front seat base frame will move "Sandi" closer to the bottom of the steering wheel. If that's a good thing for her, then go for it!!!

[woodysrods]

The front seats in her 61 were buckets (not the nicest buckets??) but we have opted for the bench from my 56 as it is in mint shape. And she would like a bench??
Is ther a hieght difference?
I think I will bring the seat into the shop tonight and fit it!
We don't have the car on the frame or the column and dash in it right now but we may get a visual. could put the buckets back in too! for comparison.
I have installed real cool buckets in my 56......but I still don't know what they are from. I think they may be Rover 2000 TC.
Good Roads
Brian
PS Since yesterdays post, I have been to the junk yard and scoped out the rear seat belts from 1990 -94 Corsairs and Cavaliers. Seems they ony came in dark grey, Light gray, blue, and Maroon??? we had hope for Black or Red! But they are cheap and abundant.

[dnevin]

Are you concerned about not having a head rest in combination with the 3-point belt? I'd love to have a studebaker front seat with headrests in my 53 (since I'll be installing 3-point belts as well) but feel that I need the head rest as well since it is my understanding that you should have both.

[junior]

My Cavalier's are blacker than black. Remember to look at Sunbird/Sunfires as well too. Can you dye seatbelts black? Good hunting. Junior. ps, was going to email you on Shaw today but ran out of time. Talk to you later. Junior.

[woodysrods]

Hi Junior
Is your car up and running. Are you going to the Can-Am this weekend?
Are you coming thru??
Glad to see you are still active on the Forum, I have had to take some time off from it, as we have been soooo busy this summer.
Just got back fro another 1000 mile + trip with the 46 M.
Had the Westcoast cruisers up for a 4 day weekend here at the farm.
Thinking about Radium, but have not checked the dates.
Brian

[woodysrods]

Are you concerned about not having a head rest in combination with the 3-point belt? I'd love to have a studebaker front seat with headrests in my 53 (since I'll be installing 3-point belts as well) but feel that I need the head rest as well since it is my understanding that you should have both.

Hi Dave
There are lots of new car seats that will fill the bill if you want very comfortable headrested seats, but I personally don't like how the appear in a C/K. They seem to take away from the panaramic view from inside the C/K cars nad the openness.
Good Roads
Brian

[Da Tinman]

you should also take a look at any number of minivan seatbelts, they are fairly easy to mount and come in a lot of colors.

[woodysrods]

you should also take a look at any number of minivan seatbelts, they are fairly easy to mount and come in a lot of colors.

Asume you mean for the front seats?? Which company should I be looking at. GM, Ford, or Mopar?

[Da Tinman]

yeah front seats, I've used a couple from caravans but not sure what year (customer supplied them), they are all worth a look though. Even the imports mgiht have some that are usable.

Seat risers and slides are also good from minivans, most have flat floors which makes them easier to adapt.