I'm considering a 61 Chrylser Newport, and since I've got a family that would be riding along on "cruises", I need to install seatbelts. It was a factory option in 61, I believe, but I can't find any posts on any of the internets discussing an installation in any detail. I think the fronts would be straitforward, using the base of the seat mount? but what about the rear? It would be great if I could see a factory diagram of the original; does anyone have something? thanks Nathan
My '62 Newport has seatbelts in it, but just in the front. Pretty basic, big oval shaped washer type thing with a raised edge around it and a nut welded in the middle, then the whole thing gets welded to the floor. Go to the junkyard with a sawzall, cut the mounts out of another car's floor and save the bolts that anchor them, then weld them into your floors. At the resto shop I worked at, there were quite a few aftermarket seat belt kits installed, but they just had a hole drilled in the floor with a big flat washer on the other side. Not as safe in my opinion, but probably got the job done. Whatever you do, find some proper aircraft style buckles and belts, don't get some late model plastic looking ********, it'll ruin the whole look of the interior if the belts don't fit the period.
I just put seat belts in my 58 ford wagon a few weeks ago. I used the aftermarket kit with the bolt through the floor and giant washer. Worked great, install was very easy. Speedway had a nice chrome latch set for 25 bucks, and found a online coupon code for $10 off an order over $100. In my opinion the seat belt is there mainly to get my car seats anchored down good. Since there is no shoulder strap, I have little faith in them helping me if I am in a wreck. I still have a gigantic steering wheel and a steel dash that probably will win in a collision with my forehead.
Great, it sounds fairly straitforward. What about the rear seat? How common is this, ie, kids in the back, etc. and belts? Do these cars typically have a decent mounting point for rear belts? Also, there is no way homme could sell this purchase on the homefront if I can't get seat belts in the back, ya know? Besides, I want them in there regardless.
Juliano's. Big selection and really good plates (instead of washers) that will help prevent the belts from tearing out of the floor pans. I broke down and installed a pair after reading about a really bad accident involving a fellow HAMBer. This is not a part you want to skimp on. http://www.julianos.com/seat_belts.html -Stefan
The belts I got from Speedway were really nice quality, but did use washers for the backing. I used the seat frame as one mount, and drilled a hole in the floorboard near the driveshaft tunnel for the other. I have a picture on my phone I will try to upload later. The biggest car seat issue I have is actually the seat itself, not the seat belt. My rear seat is original which means it is nice and springy. It is hard to get the seat belt to pull the car seat tight enough on the springy seat so that there is no more spring left. I have two differant convertible car seats, one fit better than the other because the seat belt went through a higher attachment point on one car seat than the other. This gave me more room to pull the seat belt tight. My seat belt install p***ed the wife test. Edit: I didn't take any pictures when I was installing the seat belts, sorry.
They also have a good install section How To Index No mater who you go with get the better anchor points not just the washers like said above.
When we put seat belts in the 48 we used a length of 1/8 x 2-1/2 (I think) flat bar for each pair of bolts. The idea was to spread the pull or pressure out over a larger area than just a flat washer would provide. You also want them at the right angle to the cushions in the back seat so that the person's weight won't pull the lower cushion forward with the belt.
The Jalopy Journal
