After reading many website and seeing a lot of pictures, I got my 3 point seatbelts, and I'm ready to install them. I put them in the car for a "mock" build to see if everything lines up. I noticed that I didn't account into where the retractor box will bolt into. I noticed that JamesW bolted his to the floor, but I don't have a right angle bracket to do that. Is the safest thing to to bolting it to the floor?

Also, the pivot point. I noticed a lot of people put it in the roof, using that access hole. Problem is, I don't have that access hole. Should I just drill one? Are there any other options? Thanks,

 

Stephen, where did you buy your seatbelts? I had to buy2 of these kitsfor an extra10 bucks each when I ordered mine from Westco. It has the floor attach bracket parts, and the plate that went up in the overhead.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...ce_1954_190685

 

I mounted my retractor to the floor using a large, 3 inch dia,flat washer. I had to use several thick washers to get a good fit.
Pictures are of the door jam installation.
Jim

[IMG]local://upfiles/64738/B88045F42B304ABBB84282E15B03DA1C.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/64738/863AF63DB3824350B0AD3815316DA2F6.jpg[/IMG]

 

can a 3 pt belt be added to a convertable?

 

Yes, front seats are easy. The retractor mounts to the floor in front of the rear seat, the outer mounting point goes to the same place as the standard belt and a special bracket goes to a point near the top of the door frame (see my pictures above). You reach over your shoulder, grab the buckle piece and draw it over you to the center latch - gee, just like the new cars. Point is, they work.
Jim

 

what are the limitations of attaching the shoulder strap there? I mean, I understand that's the only choice on a vert, but why don't they suggest coupes and fastbacks to do that too, instead of attaching to the roof/headliner ???

 

Most of the three point belt kits use the door frame.If you look at my hardtop's pictures, that's where it's attached. That method works on convertibles as well. To do a similar door frame type installation on a Fastback, you have toremove most of the fiberglass rear quarter to get a solid attaching point. That's why the roof is a better point to do this. You can also use the roof on a hardtop but that requires welding, a new head liner and special belts. If the 'they' want to spend a lot more money, fine. I'm satisified with the one I got.
Jim

 

from the pictures, your set up looks like a very easy installation.

 

I forgot about that. I spent most of my time getting the tools out and putting them away.
Jim

 

James,
I cannot remember exactly who I got my kit from, but I know it wasn't Wesco. The kit is almost identical to Wesco's, exept the mounting hardware. It has the pivot bolt, and a couple bolts for mounting. This is the problem: When you take the retractor and place it "up and down" so the belt comes easily out and goes back in easily, the mounting hole must be horizontal. This is a rather dumb design, as it is clearly smarter to bolt it to the floor, than the wall. So, I'm thinking maybe I should weld on an angle, to make it horizontal -> vertical. Then, I could properly bolt it to the floor.

Now on to Jim. I really like that mounting point, because it seems it would not rub my neck (I'm kinda short, ~5'9", and the lady is 5'2"). I found this page: http://jr.stangnet.com/front.htm#top and it is sort of what I am looking for. So that peice on the other side of the door - just a peice of steel with a couple bolts to secure it? Thanks,