First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List
 
Re: Shoulder Belts
  by "Niklas Ridell" <vcc2.nridell@memo.volvo.se>
 

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Subject: Re: Shoulder Belts
From: "Niklas Ridell" <vcc2.nridell@memo.volvo.se>
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 12:49:30 +0200
 
Andy,
 
I bolted the reel to the side. But the structure in this area is not very =
strong
it's full of holes, louvers etc. so I spot welded a patch to the side =
before
bolting the reel.
 
Regarding the roof mount position. I am keeping an eye open for a possible
donor car which has the type of swirl bracket that extends down from the =
roof.
I know I've seen cars in the past with the bracket hanging in a short =
belt, like
4-5 inches long or a longer bracket.
I think this would move the belt away from my neck towards my chest.
 
/Niklas
 
----------------------------------
fbird68@ix.netcom.com wrote:
 
> Niklas,
>
> That's an interesting idea, putting the reel inside the arm rest. How =
did you mount the reel? I don't think there is direct access to the =
underside of
> the floor. Did you weld something on or mount it to the side? This might =
be cleaner than Chris's idea of adapting a later model roof mounted reel. =
I'd
> want some confidence in the mounting point, though.
>
> As far as the belt rubbing your neck, I don't have my shoulder belts =
installed, so I can't tell you. I took them off about 13 years ago when I
> replaced the headliner, and I didn't put them back on because they are =
so impractical. Despite the seatbelt law in California, I've never been
> hassled. I think most cops don't know that '68s even have shoulder =
belts. I imagine the rubbing you described is a result of the roof mount =
being too
> far back. You may be able to buy some sort of clip-on pad.
>
> Anyone else have an idea?
>
> Andy