Add Shoulder belts to 66 Dart Conv?

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DebsDart

DebsDart

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Has anyone successfully added shoulder seat belts to a 66 Convertible? I am determined to get her running but have two young girls that need car booster seats still and I would love to add this safety feature.

Thanks!

Debbie
 
I saw a 66 Dart convertible at a car show and the owner had installed Chrysler Sebring convertible seats to get shoulder belts.
 
DebsDart said:
Has anyone successfully added shoulder seat belts to a 66 Convertible? I am determined to get her running but have two young girls that need car booster seats still and I would love to add this safety feature.

Thanks!

Debbie
Click to expand...

Would guess they were optional and the mounting points would be there. Just have to get the belts and bolt them in.

If there isn't mounting points not hard to add
 
Talk to 66dvert. I'm pretty sure he put sebring seats in his 66. The guy is a wealth of info on the 66's. And, he's a great guy!!
 
You would most likely have to replace the seats with later model seats with the bolt hole for the top anchor point.
 
grimreaper said:
I saw a 66 Dart convertible at a car show and the owner had installed Chrysler Sebring convertible seats to get shoulder belts.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the Sebring vert seats have the shoulder belt anchors built into the seat because there isn't a "B" post or rigid roofline. There are probably other options for donor seats. Just look at other modern convertibles. Of course the seat mounting to the floor has to be robust, not just holes in the floor pan.
 
I tried to research belts for my 67 HT:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=184851

This is pictured in the options list. I found this at the http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/

24mzt6s.jpg
 
I installed Sebring seats in my '64 convertible to get shoulder belts.
 
I've got a very nice set of cream leather Sebring seats for sale in Fresno...

But, I'm guessing you are talking about rear seat shoulder belts. Those would be a little easier to install, but you'll need to add the hardware for them.
 
DebsDart said:
Has anyone successfully added shoulder seat belts to a 66 Convertible? I am determined to get her running but have two young girls that need car booster seats still and I would love to add this safety feature.

Thanks!

Debbie
Click to expand...

Hi Debbie.
front seat shoulder belts are easier done using a late model (up to a 96- 99 sebring with the controller box under the console and related wiring or other types that have belts built into the seats) convertible car. I used the rear seat from the sebring also but you can adapt the shoulder belt mechanism with out adding the late model seat. you just need the cross brace and the belt mounting brackets for the rear.



here is mine going in and I'm waiting to finish wiring the seats and windows.
still have to make a plastic formed cover over the rear panel to clean things up
View attachment 0125131525.jpg


yup between the well and the top plastic piece needs finishing.
View attachment !!!Well and trim.jpg


no side panels in yet
View attachment 0125131521.jpg
side panels in. a little squish but easily fixed buy a hot knife cutting about 1/2 inch in the middle of the back seat.
View attachment DSCF2878.jpg

front seats in and mounted using (4"x6" 1/8 inch fitted/curved under body support plates) but not wired since I'm adding power window setup from a 90's van in there.

View attachment DSCF2882.jpg


heck it actually lined up good too!
View attachment DSCF2883.jpg


cars painted and everything is getting mounted. they are comfortable though (compared to the originals anyway, Bently or Maybach seats they aren't, but still comfy!)
View attachment 0125131524.jpg
 
Nice fit. Like I said, I've got a very nice set of cream leather seats in Fresno.
 
Thanks for the replies!
I'm not as concerned about the front seats having the shoulder belt as my kids will be sitting in the back seat.. I wasn't planning on new upholstery, so I was wondering if there are any that mount to the bracket behind the back seat? Or something to that affect?
 
DebsDart said:
Thanks for the replies!
I'm not as concerned about the front seats having the shoulder belt as my kids will be sitting in the back seat.. I wasn't planning on new upholstery, so I was wondering if there are any that mount to the bracket behind the back seat? Or something to that affect?
Click to expand...

you can get the mounting brace from a sebring 96-99 cut out of the convertible and welded into the 66. I did it forst using the 66 seats and then because it looked awkward using 66 rear seat and 97 front seats I switched to the 97 rears also.

you'll need the 2 sections on either side that hold the seat belt re-tractors and seat belt bolts. have them cut out as low as they ca go. (more adjustment in placing them where you want.. they will be gusset welded to the wheel well and the cross member if you don't have a convertible.

View attachment !!!!!!!!REARseat belt retractors.jpg



and the bottom over the hump brace with the seatbelt release end already attached it's about 3/16 thick metal that the lower seat belts buckles too (2 bolts used to keep em in )



of course you need the seatbelts from that car too! or from one with the color of your choice.
 
You guys should really think about where and how rear shoulder belts are installed. A poorly positioned belt could be a lot more dangerous than none at all.
The are used in the front to keep the occupants head from striking the A) Steering Wheel, B) Dash Board, C) Windshield and D) Exploding Air Bag....since none of those things exist in the back seat of any car, they really serve no purpose and in the event of a severe front impact can actually INCREASE the chance of neck damage by limiting the forward movement of the upper torso to just the head and neck, as oppose to a lap only belt which will spread the inertia load over the entire spine.
OP, strap your kids in the back seat, and lean them as far forward as you can...if their heads don't contact anything solid from that position, you're good just the way you are.
 
thanks for the insight about whether to install shoulder belts or not. The way you explain it makes a lot of sense.
 
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