1951 Studebaker Truck - 3-point seat belts - Help

[TNFarmGirl]

Hello!

Thanks in advance for any light you may shed on my project.

We are nearing completion on the truck I've wanted all my life.

Final touches are being done.

I want to add 3-point retractable seat belts.

Any suggestions for where to get them, what to get and installation, will be really appreciated.

Thanks,
Mel

[StudeRich]

I THOUGHT I had a good suggestion for you but it failed.

I googled J.C. Whitney.com and got CarParts.com, it seems since 2020 they were bought out, and these people have NOTHING.
They WOULD have, and did have for sure: Lap Belts, Shoulder Harnesses (3 Point) Seat Belt Aftermarket add on Accessories like that and a lot more, but No Longer.

Of course you have to search for early 1960's Ford or Chev. Trucks, to find aftermarket things like this, as they will not have even Heard of 'Studebaker".

[Topper2011]

Try: https://www.johnnylawmotors.com/cata...ior/seat-belts

[enjenjo]

https://bontragers.com/ this is an RV surplus store they have a pretty good stock of three point belts and the hardware to install them at very reasonable prices. You will likely have to call or Email them for specifics.

Much of Johnny Law's stuff is poorly made Chinese knockoffs.

[Captain Billy]

Excellent products....everything you'd need

https://www.julianos.com/

[PackardV8]

FWIW, Juliano has retired and Bontrager's website doesn't allow a search for products.

jack vines

[enjenjo]

I said that in my post.

[tsenecal]

Jilianos says that yogis is still offering their products. Here is a retractable shoulder belt. https://www.julianos.com/Push-Button...jupb3ptret.htm

[Silver Hawk 59]

If I may, I'd like to recommend Seat Belts Plus. (rumor was this is where Julianos got theirs) I've used them for a long time, have them in my Transtar, my '39 coupe, and see no reason to go anywhere else for seat belts. They have several choices and lots of designs, colors, etc. to choose from. Believe me, you can't go wrong with these folks.

[Warren Webb]

Getting the belts isn't the problem. The problem you should first be thinking about is where the shoulder harness part is mounted & the proper support to mount it safely. The sheet metal isn't strong enough but would require additional bracing behind the inner panel forming a box section for support, otherwise you'll have something that would "feel good" until something happened when it would fail! You might be better off looking for a seat that would have the belts as part of the assembly. Then mounting the seat is easier to reinforce the floor mounts. Studebaker bodies as they were originally designed would not pass the minimums vehicles require today.

[StudeRich]

I see that Seat Belts Plus 3 Point Belts come with a good stiffener Plate to weld or Rivet into a "B" Pillar with straight flat sheet metal behind the Door.
But with our "C" Cabs with a rounded Corner near behind the Door opening, it would be easier and stronger to weld a longer, thick Brace across the corner to mount their Plate to, which would be very Strong.

Much easier than a Hardtop or Convert. !

[bensherb]

Because most pick up truck cabs have little to no structure to them, only the exterior sheet metal, I've found when adding shoulder belts to pickups that never had them, the best and easiest way to mount them is on a "roll bar" fitted behind the seat with mounting points on it, specifically made to mount the shoulder or four point belts to; not really intended for roll overs. But it does require metal working skills and tools to accomplish.

[Bobcat]

There is the option of installing comfortable reclining seats, with shoulder harnesses built in, from a 2002 up Silverado, Tahoe, etc.

[Silver Hawk 59]

No room for reclining in these cabs... unless you are quite short.

[StudeNewby]

You don't have to recline. You just need the seats for the belts.
I do like the Seat Belts Plus selection.

[Silver Hawk 59]

If it would help, I can send you pics from my truck that has the 3 point set up installed. It works well with the lap/shoulder belts & a retraction asm..

[TNFarmGirl]

Gentlemen,

Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I will be pursuing your suggestions regarding purchasing; and discussing mounting with my metal man.

Will post again when I have photos.

Also, anyone who can tell me how to respond to each post individually, will be my hero.

[Skip Lackie]

Gentlemen,


Also, anyone who can tell me how to respond to each post individually, will be my hero.

You can click on "quote" under the post you want to respond to (which is what I did here) and the whole post will reappear in a new post space straddled by the words QUOTE in caps. You can delete (but not edit) parts of the post that you're quoting (which is what I did here). Make sure your comments appear UNDER the quoted words. Alternatively, you can click on "comment" and your comments will appear as a separate box below the post you're commenting on.