1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

My shoulder harnesss mount mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 04-11-2013, 06:17 PM
84espy's Avatar
84espy
84espy is online now
Fleet Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
My shoulder harnesss mount mod

When I was 15, I saw an accident where a lady T boned a drunk driver who pulled out in front of her. She only had a lap belt on. As usual, the drunk received no injuries, but the woman sustained major damage due to the collision with the steering wheel and then the windshield.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Now, I own a 75 that has lap belts only. It has been a concern since I bought it, that it has no shoulder harness. Concern no more! The following is my tutorial for installing a shoulder harness mount in supercabs.
<o></o>
First, here is what was used:
<o></o>
1.5” stainless stock. It was machined to 4 pieces. The first was machined to 3/8” thick overall. It has a ¾” shoulder that is ¼” high with a 7/16-19 thread bored through it and 2ea 8-32 threaded holes for mounting. The second is a 1/8” thich washer with a ¾” bore with two 3/16” holes for mounting purposes. You can use any metal you want. I chose stainless because my machinest has so much of it leftover.

<o></o>
Here is what you will need for tools:
<o></o>
Drill, 1/8” and 1/4” drill bit and 3/4” hole saw.

<o></o>
Procedure:
1) Mark holes. Make sure your measurements are close in relation to each other.
2) Drill 1/8” hole

3) Drill ¾” hole

4) Use nut to mark anchor holes

5) Drill anchor holes 1/4"

6) Remove headliner to the point that you can slide nut behind metal. This might be a good time to redo the headliner and trim. Mine was a two piece unit, so I removed the back
7) Using wire or coat hangar etc, run a guide from the roof down through the hole

8) Making sure you don’t lose the piece, slide it down the guide until it comes through the ¾” hole

9) Anchor the nut with the washer using screws

<o></o>
The nut is really sturdy. Once all this is done, you can replace your seat belts any time. Improvements that can be made is welding the mount to the body, if you use steel, but I’m not a welder. Another is making a washer that is 2” for more area strength. If you feel your truck has collectors value and/or you show it at car shows, this mod may not be for you.

Hopefully this also gives the single cabs some ideas if they are so inclined.
 
  #2  
Old 04-11-2013, 07:15 PM
bucks77ford's Avatar
bucks77ford
bucks77ford is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kasson, Minnesota
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I have the same concern with my 75 supercab. I am going to install some in mine using a universal kit. I will install shoulder belts in the front and also the rear for the kiddos.
Seat Belts

Your mod looks like it will work good.
 
  #3  
Old 04-11-2013, 08:08 PM
HIO Silver's Avatar
HIO Silver
HIO Silver is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NorCal
Posts: 20,676
Received 58 Likes on 48 Posts
Nice mod. I think you may have a market for those and if so, I'd be interested.

Reps.
 
  #4  
Old 04-11-2013, 09:25 PM
xkpsanit's Avatar
xkpsanit
xkpsanit is offline
More Turbo
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: in the middle of nowhere
Posts: 624
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I would sell them as an "antennae mount" and\or with a very specific disclaimer.
 
  #5  
Old 04-11-2013, 10:13 PM
bucks77ford's Avatar
bucks77ford
bucks77ford is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kasson, Minnesota
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
Originally Posted by xkpsanit
I would sell them as an "antennae mount" and\or with a very specific disclaimer.
Ya, there would be some possible legal issues with selling them publically since they haven't been tested.
 
  #6  
Old 04-11-2013, 10:44 PM
84espy's Avatar
84espy
84espy is online now
Fleet Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by bucks77ford
Ya, there would be some possible legal issues with selling them publically since they haven't been tested.
Yep, even if it will slow you down toward the steering wheel. Still, for me something is better than nothing. If any of you wish to do this, buy some round stock from Grainger,etc and find a local machinest to do the work. It may be a little pricey, but it's safer than just a lap belt.
 
  #7  
Old 04-11-2013, 11:05 PM
jeff14346's Avatar
jeff14346
jeff14346 is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
great idea, looks good. could shoulder belts from a later year dent fit in the earlier dents? I have seem a few that might be able to work, finding a donor might be possible?
 
  #8  
Old 04-11-2013, 11:35 PM
bucks77ford's Avatar
bucks77ford
bucks77ford is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kasson, Minnesota
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
I would maybe agree to have the back washer a bit larger since its round and could possibly pull through the sheetmetal. The backing plate from Wesco in the link I posted is a rectangular plate 1 1/2" x 3". However, their back plate doesn't sandwich the sheetmetal with another piece as yours does which I think would provide more strength and yours looks thicker too. I think it's a real nice design and clean looking.
 
  #9  
Old 04-12-2013, 12:10 AM
84espy's Avatar
84espy
84espy is online now
Fleet Mechanic
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,395
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by jeff14346
great idea, looks good. could shoulder belts from a later year dent fit in the earlier dents? I have seem a few that might be able to work, finding a donor might be possible?
I pulled a set out of a late 70s supercab. It will need an angle installed since the late model was a vertical mount and the lab belt was a horizontal mount.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kwe45919
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
60
09-14-2014 09:20 PM
Subbie77
Vehicles for Sale
3
05-08-2013 05:37 PM
bigc..ec
Texas Chapter
2
05-22-2010 05:56 PM
missin
1999 to 2016 Super Duty
25
11-05-2009 10:34 PM
6ooh
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
15
06-09-2008 01:18 PM



Quick Reply: My shoulder harnesss mount mod



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:06 PM.