Thought I might get off my lazy a** this weekend and install my LMC seat belts. I popped off the plug on the back of the cab (upper, in the corner of the cab) and it's not threaded!

Am I supposed to tap (thread) this or get a smaller diameter bolt to fit through then attempt to hold a washer and nut on the backside???

Thanks!
darrell

 

You may not be able to use the plugged off seat belt holes to install the newer type of three point seat belts, as they were designed for the optional individual shoulder strap type of seat belts

Shoulder straps were used with specific optional lap seat belts that had two buckles on each side.

One buckle was used for the tongue of the shoulder strap, one for the tongue of the lap seat belt.

 

Thanks Bill!
It brings back memories now of the shoulder strap being clipped to the ceiling of certain old cars we had when I was a kid.
So what would be your recommendation? If I tap it out will it be strong enough? The thought of pulling the gas tank out to access the drivers side hole seems like a lot of work (although my tank always seems to be empty these days, so at least it's light!).
darrell

 

That clipped on shoulder strap on passenger car headliners (one end bolted to the roof panel, t'other end was retained w/a clip) began, I believe in 1968.

It was a distraction while driving, as the clip didn't retain the entire belt, so one end was always dangling downwards swinging back/forth if not in use.

If peeps didn't pay attention and grabbed the shoulder strap without unclipping it first, the clip broke, then the entire shoulder strap hung down, swinging back/forth.

I have no recommendations, as this is a trial and error install for belts that were never offered originally.

 

My 68 is threaded and the whole process went like butter. The reel was tight between the seat and door panel, but over all no problems. My kit came with several bolt combos, not all of which you will need. Light the hole up and you should be able to see if it's threaded or not.

 

I am pretty sure the holes are tapped in my 69. Any body know if the plugs to cover those holes are available any where.

Also what year were the shoulder straps made mandatory in cars and trucks?

 

American Seat Belt History

* 1947 The first time seat belts were offered in a American car was the Tucker.
* The state of the art then were Lap belts.
* 1956 Ford introduces seat belts in American cars
* 1964 Seatbelts became a "standard" feature in American cars
* 1966 Rear Seatbelts became Standard
* 1967 Front Seatbelts became Mandatory
* 1968 Shoulder Belts became Mandatory
* 1969 Headrests became Mandatory
* 1973 GM installs air bags in fleet of Chevrolet Impalas
* 1974 General Motors offers the first air bags in its 1974-1976 Buicks, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs
* 1986 Ford offers the airbag as an option on the Tempo
* 1991 Driver Airbags are made Mandatory

Pretensioners

Pretensioners are incorporated into the belt assemblies to remove slack from the seat belt during a collision. Within milliseconds of a crash, the pretensioner is activated and increases the tension of the seat belt system around the occupant. This is what keeps you from bouncing around and keeps you in the proper position to benefit from the airbag if the crash is severe enough to trigger them. It contains an inertial reel with a pendulum device that senses sudden deceleration and automatically locks the belt in a crash. Currently there are three types of pretensioners in use today.

* Mechanical
These use an inertial reel with a pendulum device that senses sudden deceleration to lock the belt.
* Electrical
These are activated with a sensor that may or may not be tied into the Airbag circuits depending on the manufacturer.
* Pyrotechnic
These are activated with a sensor and contain an explosive charge to lock the belt in place. These are the most high-tech and the most expensive.
Airbags and Seatbelts - The Lemurzone Airbag Pages
Mandatory Seatbelts

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in July 1984, New York State passed the first mandatory seatbelt law in the nation, followed by New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, and New Mexico.


As you can see, that shoulder belts were first required to be in passenger cars in 1968 but any seat belts were not required to be used until 1984 when the government passed laws saying to "buckle up." Shoulder belts were not required until 1973 for trucks.
What state does not have a seat belt law?











New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults, although the state does have a primary child passenger safety law that covers all drivers and passengers under 18.

 

The plugs offered at LMC part # 40-1975...

I pulled a plug from the 67 cab sittting in my carport (patiently waiting for final bodywork), and it was tapped. I better check the 68-72 cab the truck is currently wearing to see if maybe the threads are just clogged with paint.
Thanks!

darrell

 

Could you tell me where you go your belts from? So many options!

 

I know of a guy in NY who was ticketed for "not wearing a seatbelt" He was wearing a seat belt (1972 F100). Fought it in court as 1972's only came with belts. Idiot judge ruled that "because the bolt hole was there, he should have been wearing a shoulder restraint."

 

Seat belt laws vary from state to state. In Arkansas, the laws pertaining to seat belts do not apply to trucks built prior to January 1, 1972.

Quote of the Arkansas law:

The requirement to use a safety belt does not apply in the following situations: (1) to passenger automobiles manufactured prior to January 1, 1968, and to all other vehicles manufactured prior to January 1,
1972.

 

Nebraska's law pertains only to vehicles made in 1973 and after:
60-6,266. Occupant protection system; 1973 year model and later motor vehicles; requirements; violation; penalty.

Every motor vehicle designated by the manufacturer as 1973 year model or later operated on any highway, road, or street in this state, except farm tractors and implements of husbandry designed primarily or exclusively for use in agricultural operations, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, and buses, shall be equipped with an occupant protection system of a type which:

(1) Meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R. 571.208, 571.209, and 571.210 as such regulations currently exist or as the regulations existed when the occupant protection system was originally installed by the manufacturer

In other words, since my truck was not originally equipped with a shoulder belt, I can't be ticketed for not wearing one.

 

I just finished putting in "seatbelts plus" black retractable 3 point shoulder/seat belts in my 69. The captive nuts are 3/8"-16 if I recall which is smaller than those on the floor.
If you go this route,which seems good and appears very normal, be sure to order the buckle side long enough 18"+/- to get up through the seat.

 

Perfect. Thanks for the info!

 

I installed three-point belts in my 69. Upper hole was threaded but the cab wall was kind of protruding in its path. Had to do a little filing to get it out of the way for an easier fit.
Wife wanted the three-ways, but hates the fact that my choice had not real adjustments for the shoulder (like our modern vehicles).