My shoulder harnesss mount mod
#1
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.
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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.
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First, here is what was used:
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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.
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Here is what you will need for tools:
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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
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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.
<?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
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.
Seat Belts
Your mod looks like it will work good.
#5
#6
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
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#8
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
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.
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kwe45919
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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09-14-2014 09:20 PM