I WANT TO UPGRADE MY SEAT BELTS TO A MODERN 3 POINT SYSTEM.......HAS ANYONE DONE THIS?

[CFD244]

Hi Folks

I have been considering upgrading my current '71 Demon seat belts with some thing more modern and safer. Hoping to use the same anchor points that are currently in the car. My car is a bucket seat/console unit. Has anyone done this and have recommendations? I'd love to hear about it...Good or bad.

Thanks FABO

 

[Jeff Seighman]

I did it in my 1970 Dart years ago. I'll go out in the morning and get the brand they are. I'm glad I did it, feel a lot safer. check out Summit Racing they got a bunch.

 

[devilchicken]

I sent my belts to a company called seatbelt planet and they were able to turn my lap belts into 3 point belts using the original buckles. My car came equipped with the over the shoulder belts so I had the mounts in the roof which made it easier.

Aftermarket & Replacement Seat Belts | SeatbeltPlanet.com™

 

[str12-340]

I bought a set from Classic Industries because I was planning to drive the car a lot (and did!). The company that actually makes them (ask Classic for the info) told me that they would install using the original anchors in the floor. The car is a 1970 Dart with factory buckets. When I pushed the seat back the BIG retractor caught on the side of the seat and was rotated on the anchor so that the exit faced the back seat. Needless to say this didn't work well and I doubt if the belt would lock in an accident. The solution was easy - install an anchor that put the retractor back by the front of the back seat. Turns out this solved other geometry issues in the system. I just wish I had known before I installed the interior. To add the anchor, bucket seats, the back seat, rear carpet and Dynamat, side panels/arm rests/window cranks all had to come out and welding mats put in place to protect all the new interior stuff to allow the anchors to be welded in place.

Original anchors

New anchor installed

belt installed with new anchor

 

[harrisonm]

I did it about ten 5 ago. I am very happy with them. I feel a lot safer. The seatbelts in my 69 Barracuda were nicely restored. I sold them for almost what the new ones cost me.

 

[72bluNblu]

I have seat belts from seat belt planet in my Duster. They’re a custom set because they didn’t have an application for a Duster at the time, they’re 140" length, 12" sleeve (bucket seats), 8" extension on the shoulder loop. I feel like they fit pretty well with placement of the belt for me anyway and they’ve held up well for years now.

3 Point Push Button Buckle Seat Belt | SeatbeltPlanet

 

[WymanV]

I went with these in my '72 Duster: 3 Point Retractable Seat Belt - Starburst Buckle - with Sleeve - Black

But they're too short for my liking. With the seat all the way back they had maybe a foot of slack before I ran out of belt which means I'm not reaching for anything when the belt is on. It was a combination of short belt and a seat that didn't go back far enough for me. I eventually worked out the problem with the seat but in doing so another problem came up-the belt went across my neck instead of my shoulder which wouldn't be cool in an incident. My solution was to lower them with seat mounted belt "loops" from an 80's era Camaro/Firebird. They look right and do the job but now I'm back to the belt being too short for comfort.

I like the way they fit in the car as the retractor is small and fits inside the seat and the buckles look right but they could be 12-18" longer.

 

[72bluNblu]

I went with these in my '72 Duster: 3 Point Retractable Seat Belt - Starburst Buckle - with Sleeve - Black

But they're too short for my liking. With the seat all the way back they had maybe a foot of slack before I ran out of belt which means I'm not reaching for anything when the belt is on. It was a combination of short belt and a seat that didn't go back far enough for me. I eventually worked out the problem with the seat but in doing so another problem came up-the belt went across my neck instead of my shoulder which wouldn't be cool in an incident. My solution was to lower them with seat mounted belt "loops" from an 80's era Camaro/Firebird. They look right and do the job but now I'm back to the belt being too short for comfort.

I like the way they fit in the car as the retractor is small and fits inside the seat and the buckles look right but they could be 12-18" longer.

View attachment 1716365943

Yeah those are advertised at 133”. That will work on a Dart because of the location of the seat belt mounts, but for a Demon/Duster/Dart Sport you need at least 140” and that’s with an 8” shoulder drop.

 

[dano]

I have a set from Seat Belt Planet as well. They work, I have two issues, the seat hits the retract at the floor. I'm 6'2" so the seat is always all the way back and they don't fully retract tight. Otherwise I like them.

 

[CFD244]

I have seat belts from seat belt planet in my Duster. They’re a custom set because they didn’t have an application for a Duster at the time, they’re 140" length, 12" sleeve (bucket seats), 8" extension on the shoulder loop. I feel like they fit pretty well with placement of the belt for me anyway and they’ve held up well for years now.

3 Point Push Button Buckle Seat Belt | SeatbeltPlanet

View attachment 1716365941

Did you have to move the rear retractor anchor rearwards as @str12-340 did?

Also, at 5' 6", in your opinion, would I benefit from having a 12" extension since I will have my seat fairly forward?

 

[72bluNblu]

Did you have to move the rear retractor anchor rearwards as @str12-340 did?

Also, at 5' 6", in your opinion, would I benefit from having a 12" extension since I will have my seat fairly forward?

Nope, I didn’t move the anchor. I have a ‘74 so I did need a bracket but I just used a generic one from SBP, nothing fancy.

I’m only 5’8” and the 8” drop on the shoulder is fine. You could probably use a 12” one without any issues though. It’s a little hard to tell in the picture since there’s no one sitting there, but I’d say an 8” drop is about that minimum (even for somebody quite a bit taller). A 12” drop is probably closer to the max you’d want, but yeah I think it’d be fine.