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Anyone recall a custom seat belt reel installation that looks stealth?

JeffTepper

JeffTepper

Well-Known Member
I am retrofitting modern 3 point seat belts on a '69 Mach1 to replace the factory installed separate lap/shoulder belts. I want to "hide" the reel behind the fiberglass interior quarter side trim panel. This will require some structural fabrication as well as some careful cosmetic modification. Specifically, I expect to make a slice at the top of the fiberglass quarter panel for the belt on its way to the upper mount pivot. I have a vague recollection that someone somewhere many years ago did such a stealth installation but I can't find it. Anyone know what I am looking for? A link would be appreciated.
 
I did this on my 65 while not the same vehicle, same premise. I spent much time trying to decide on how to handle the necessary hole for the belt to pass through. As I also had a roll bar coming out of hiding behind the same fiberglass piece I ended up just having the belt share the opening. However, I found lots of grommet type pieces on the Web that would have been perfect had I went with a separate hole. Using such also allows for a bit of error in the cutting and placement etc. as the grommet would cover uneven edges and such.
I just looked at the link Sven provided. That's pretty slick. I had to make everything for my set-up. No fair! Having the belt come out of that flat area like that would make a clean job SO MUCH easier.
 
Thanks Sven. That is close to what I am trying to do. Structurally, with the retractor directly below the roof mount pivot vertically, the force in the event of an impact will be to pull the retractor straight up. The 1/8" stock I will be using as bracing will be secured to the bulkhead vertically and should be plenty strong to keep the retractor reel where it belongs. The main cosmetic difference is that I am trying to get the belt to exit the fiberglass 1/4 trim closer to the top and I'm leaving the outboard mount in the stock location for strength. The slot where the belt comes through the 1/4 panel trim will have belt guide bezels from a C3 Corvette that should look as if they were factory installed.

Regards, Jeff
 
JeffTepper said:
Thanks Sven. That is close to what I am trying to do. Structurally, with the retractor directly below the roof mount pivot vertically, the force in the event of an impact will be to pull the retractor straight up. The 1/8" stock I will be using as bracing will be secured to the bulkhead vertically and should be plenty strong to keep the retractor reel where it belongs. The main cosmetic difference is that I am trying to get the belt to exit the fiberglass 1/4 trim closer to the top and I'm leaving the outboard mount in the stock location for strength. The slot where the belt comes through the 1/4 panel trim will have belt guide bezels from a C3 Corvette that should look as if they were factory installed.

Regards, Jeff
Click to expand...
Jeff,

I'd be really interested to see the C3 Vette bezels you are referencing. Keep us posted on your conversion!
 
Sven: Here you go.....
s-l500.jpg
 
Bill:

I found the image and part number with a google search then found a local 'Vette parts house that had them in stock. The GM part # is 472703
 
JeffTepper said:
Specifically, I expect to make a slice at the top of the fiberglass quarter panel for the belt on its way to the upper mount pivot. I have a vague recollection that someone somewhere many years ago did such a stealth installation but I can't find it. Anyone know what I am looking for? A link would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

65-408 is the one I recall. Here's the post, but all the pictures were lost during one of the site transitions.
http://www.stangfix.com/threads/65-fb-scratch-build.9963/page-8#post-216863
 
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