OT seat belts in old truck question

Paul Shuler · Aug 11, 2014

I have an old 64 F250 that will most likely take me years to restore due to a tight budget. I love to drive it but it has no seat belts. The problem is when others want to go with me that I dearly love {wife and or granddaughter} the lack of seat belts is a big problem. I know there are aftermarket seat belts I can purchase but how in the world do you attach them since there is no preexisting hard ware to mount them. Do you just drill holes through the bottom of the cab? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I have never done this before and it's not a tractor but I think about my tractors when I drive it. And it does smell like old oil and pipe tobacco.
Thanks,
Paul

Janicholson · Aug 11, 2014

Sheet metal is too weak to bolt into even if a fender washer is used. I consider a 6X6" 1/4" plate to be realistic, or if possible, going to a frame or brace that is substantial. Grade 8 bolts and nuts are required. I like to get the belts out of a more current vehicle of a similar configuration. When taking them out (at a pick your own part) I look at the reinforcement used at the factory. Keep the fasteners they meet spec.
You will sure not have a NHSTA approved belt application, but you will have much better than nothing, and feel reasonable about it.
Be careful to keep the reels in the same orientation when installed. (there are weights and latches that control lockup and free travel when in use. If mounted at a different angle (in any direction), they will not work at all, or will lock up all the time). I have 3 vehicles with home installed shoulder harness/belts installed. Jim

rusty6 · Aug 11, 2014

I put one in for the driver side on my 59 IH but I think I only put some type of washer or plate steel behind it on the hole I drilled in the floor. Just a lap belt out of some sixties wrecking yard car.

ypop · Aug 11, 2014

LMC truck parts have a seat belt kit for your truck.
poke here

in-too-deep · Aug 11, 2014

I've got a '59 too. B-120.

rustyfarmall · Aug 11, 2014

At one time I owned a '63 Ford F100. It had factory installed seat belts, so I'd bet that your '64 is already set up for seat belts, or maybe had them and someone took them out. If I'm noy mistaken, '64 was the first year for mandatory seat belts in all cars and light trucks.

DaninKansas · Aug 11, 2014

In 1964 seat belts were still an option on most models - the 1964 Mustang was the FIRST to offer seat belts as standard equipment.

As for adding them to an old pickup - drill a hole though the floor and add some big washers or a small plate on the backside of the metal. If the truck floor is rusted out you just don't have a good place to add them because the last thing you want to be is the immoveable object belted to the frame when the rusty cab tears loose from the cab mounts in an accident.

MPK · Aug 11, 2014

I have a 64 GMC pickup 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive I bought new and it never had seat belts. I was told by authorities that if it never had seat belts it is legal to drive that way. That is a big heavy truck compared to some of the stuff made now. I also had a heavy duty hoist put on it. Hauled a lot of grain and rocks and everything else I had to haul. Good truck, heavy 305 V6 engine.

S Russell (TX) · Aug 11, 2014

My first car was a 1950 Dodge, I added aftermarket Sears seatbelts (2) for the front seat driver and passenger, much as DaninKansas suggested. When that was sold I moved them to a 55 Buick same hardware. No wrecks, so can not attest to my system.
I have read that Studebaker was the first to install seatbelts as stock items, but because people cut them out, they were discontinued.

John A · Aug 11, 2014

Paul, Seat belts were not required on Pickup truck till 1966. so installing seat belts are not a problem, If you can find and old 66 model you can obtain the factory correct ones with buckle/latches. and look where the correct mount points are. I will bet there is a small flat spot on the floor board where the mounts were placed in 66, by the factory. If LMC has the correct buckles go that route! They should have new hardware to mount it correctly and securely too! if not a hunt in a junkyard will provide the necessary hardware then! JMO!
Later,
John A.

ShadetreeRet · Aug 11, 2014

Although not required by law in 1964, I personally feel better with a belt. I had a 1962 Falcon that I installed seat belts, (also from Sears) and while drilling holes I discovered that it already had mounting points.If the darned salesman had been on his toes when he sold me the car,he would have told me belts were optional. So, as rustyfarmall said, Yours may have the mounting points already there. All ya gotta do is crawl under it and look see if there are any places that look like a nut welded to the floor that hasn't been used. Or remove the floor mat and look under it. Otherwise. as suggested, use a piece of metal to reinforce the floorboard when you install them.

merlynr · Aug 12, 2014

I have a 71 with lap belts but there is a mounting hole up high for the shoulder belts.

OT seat belts in old truck question

Paul Shuler

Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

ypop

Member

in-too-deep

Well-known Member

rustyfarmall

Well-known Member

DaninKansas

Member

MPK

Member

S Russell (TX)

Member

John A

Member

ShadetreeRet

Well-known Member

merlynr

Member

Similar threads