Does anyone know where to get factory should belts? I've got a '77 that the PO put speakers in place of the belts. I've got lap belts but shoulder belts would be nice. Want it to look decent too so factory belts are the only thing I'd put in.

 

I bought shoulder belts and removed them from a parts truck along with all the hardware. What I plan to do is find another donar truck and cut out the inner pillar steel with the mounting plate and weld that back into my truck in order to reinstall the shoulder belts as factory. Junkyard wanted $100 for the pieces so I'm still looking. I think 76-79 trucks had shoulder belts. Like I said earlier, I installed lap belts for now so I could drive the truck until I get time to correct the issue.

 

Around here, they have "roadside checks" sometimes and check for seatbelts, insurance, drivers licence, etc. I have been wondering about the F600 rescue truck I just bought. It is a '79, but it only has lap belts. Maybe it's exempt because it's an emergency vehicle?
Or maybe all bigger trucks are exempt? anyway, I guess I should be more worried about them ticketing me for the flashing red lights and siren than the lap belts.

 

I was pulled over in my 76 crew the other day. Turned right at an intersection with a local cop sitting at the light. I thought his head was going to unscrew as he watched me turn. He spun around and I was already pulling over. I always wear belts, in everything including this truck. He was nice about it, and couldn't say anything. I guess it comes with the territory.

I refuse to add shoulder belts to just keep the popo away.

 

I know it can get frustrating but remeber there are bad eggs in every line of work. I know sometimes they don't handle themselves the best on a stop, or they are having a bad day themselves. They are out there trying to get the drunks off of the road when you get off of work , so you can get home safe to your family.

Thats why I always try to treat people how I would like to be treated on a stop. However, sometimes I don't get the same respect back, and they got to have it done their way,(the hard way).

On a few occasions there have been a few that I can tell their every encounter with law enforcement has been a negative encounter, so if it is not to serious, I make sure they have a good encounter, so they know it does happen, and not to be so negative, or already have themselves sold on the ticket before the officer even gets up to them.

One other thing to remember as these trucks get older, and the officers get younger, they were not around, or have not been exposed to these trucks, and don't realize some only have lap belts!

 

What about my 77 that originaly came with shoulder belts? Because of a past owner cutting out the plates, I currently have only lap belts until I can get it fixed. Would that be a violation? Of course the officer would have to know what year shoulder belts came out. I was just curious.

 

i did just that. i took the shoulder straps out of my 76 to put speakers in. still have the lap belts. plan on doing it to my 78 as well. (it may have 4 point harnesses in its future anyway)

 

How much you looking to spend? I maybe be able to get a set out of a truck a buddy is parting out. I can check if they are spoken for yet.


Good man! I have more experiences with the "popo" that i would like, but it comes with the territory on what I drive. I have had very good and very bad experiences, and as you said - it all comes down to the officer being human and therefore it's possible for them to have a bad day, etc. I take it for what it's worth and I have been let go on tickets I have deserved before just as I have gotten tickets I don't agree I deserved.
I always am patient and polite with officers and most of them respond well when treated nicely.
As you said though - some have bad days at times, and some just really dislike "modified" vehicles. It is what it is and there is nothing i can do about it - so I just deal with it and hope I don't get "that" officer the next time around



Oh - and just to I add a little something here on the actual topic... You guys do know there is a way to get around being pulled over - right?!? You can take a piece of seat belt and do some stick on velcro on it. Stick one side to your cab corner where a shoulder belt would be and one side on the back of your seat so it looks like you have a shoulder belt on. A piece of duct tape can do this job as well if you don't care about the sticky mess. Obviously this works better with a tinted rear window or a super or crew cab, but it does work. I guess if you have a clear rear window in your standard cab and the cop is close enough to see what is really going on - it is another reason to pull you over though...

 

I think you just answered your own question, also unless you decide to bicker with the officer I wouldn't see the need to give you a ticket. you DO have a lap belt on, and I couldn't see the judge up hold that ticket especially if you got your lap belt on.

And as you said, the PO took them out, which you would surly tell the judge. The officer would have to be a real stickler to cite you and not give a warning ticket.

 

I want to point one thing out here just FYI.

The aftermarket SFI race belts like in this truck are NOT DOT approved or legal. So technically if an officer knows this and wants to be a jerk he can write you a ticket and it WILL stick. In fact he can write another one for not having DOT equipment on the vehicle. '

And before anyone jumps on me, yes I know they are a LOT better then the factory belts. I have raced for years and even rolled my ranger while wearing a set and know for a fact they work. BUT the companies like RCI have not paid the money to get them approved for DOT use (and they can't because you may or may not mount them properly which is a major part of the deal)

 

True - they CAN ticket you - but from what I've seen - they don't.

I got pulled over in my old Mazda while wearing an RJS 5 pt. Officer asked "is there a reason you don't have a seat belt on" and I looked down at my lap and said "well I do have this..."

He said "looks like a safe system. I just didn't see a shoulder belt coming down so that's why I pulled you over. Have a nice day!"

I have also been pulled over and been sat on the curb while the officer inspected my entire truck looking for infractions. I got one for no front fender (I was repairning my fiberglass fender after it got smashed), license plate light out (which is the excuse he used to pull me over), exhaust too loud (absolute BS as he didn't have a decibal meter) and some other small crap.
Again I was wearing a 5 pt. harness and he made no mention of it


Oh - and as a head's up - there ARE some DOT approved belts out there now. I forget what brand name they were - but a company finally paid the $$ to get the DOT approval since they thought they could sell more belts if people could use them in street cars. Rice rocket type guys would be the ones to ask what brand they are - as ta lot of them run the 4 pts.

 

trust me I have never gotten a ticket while wearing a 4 or 5pt harness either. Just a heads up for those guys that think htat is the way to go. And just saying as a warning that an officer that really wants to can give a ticket for it.

I am not sure, but on places that do safety inspections in order to lic the vehicle that could cause an issue also.

 

I've heard the same thing about feul cells too. Is that true?

Hey Tees77f150: I didn't realize before you were a pa police officer. I've heard of guys getting pulled over just for the seat belts, does that mean the cops were b.s.'n them? You're right about bad apples, I live just south of York, so have had to deal with Yorks police dept quite a few times as its our local cruisin meca. Well, thats also where our bad apples are. In York. Its city wide, alot of corruption going on there from officers to "elected" officials, and even the court systems- been there done that already. I stay away now out of fear of the police, not the thugs.

Our Staters down here are pretty good though. Cant complain about them. Every time I delt with them stopping me I deserved it, admitted to the moving violation, and we both went on our merry ways. Our regenals where I live have pulled me over late at night 3 times for suspected DUI- but ONLY when I'm in my flat black lifted Ford. I guess I'm the only redneck out late at night who's never drank a drop in his life- and they don't beleive me. I just have to laugh, because yes, it's profileing, but most of the time, it works. Just not on me, I'm the oddball out

 

fuel cells, tires, certain types of brakes and any other safety equipment like lights etc. DOT approved number on them or they are not legal for use on the street and you can be ticketed for them.

 

SECONDARY VIOLATON ONLY IN PA! If it is the primary reason for the stop, everything else he would find AFTER the stop is no good.

Years ago, a couple of young guys wanted to take a speed time device out that was out of calibration, and just give warning ticket. I told them if their stops are bad, what if they find a bail of weed, or a dead body, then what?

I know if that happened there would be some legal wrangling and the arrest would happen, but why muddy the waters if not needed?

We all must play by the rules, we don't have to like them all but we must do it.

Monsterbaby is right, most of that aftermarket stuff is better than factory, but is NOT DOT approved, and some officers when you cruise through their little piece of the world, they are ALL business.

As to your commet about York PD, I don't know anthing about that. Everytime I been in York for training, they ALWAYS give me the red carpet treatment.

One more thing, alot of the violations you guys are talking about in Pa would not fall under Title 75, vehicles code, but under Title 67, vehicle conformance standards, or unlawful activies. You can't drive around with out fenders, hoods, bumpers, slicks etc.

The only exception is a jeep, (no doors) but the driver and front seat passenger MUST wear the required restraint systems.

Hey! Enough of this legal junk, lets get back to our dents!!