[Nashville'65]

Hi everyone.

So, I've finally made the decision to add some 3 point harnesses to the front seats of my '65 coupe. I've spent time reading all the threads I could find, but still have a few questions about the best location for the shoulder pivot-point.

It seems like there are a few schools of thought on this...either pulling back the headliner and installing above the door pillar or, more like a convertible install, doing it on the rear window sash.

Pros and cons for both. High point on the pillar seems more comfortable and ideal, but '65's don't seem to have the structure there to withstand a significant crash (without welding, at least...)

The rear sash seems more stable, but will create a less-than-ideal angle of pressure where the seatbelt could compress your back in a crash.

I'm curious about what others have done and how happy they are with the results. Now, I know the car wasn't build with 3-point belts in mind, and that any crash in an old 60's car is likely not to go well.

I'm still planning to do it mainly to keep my face and chest off the immovable steering wheel and column in the event of a wreck. My general feeling is some protection is better than none (which is what the lap belt currently provides).

Thanks for your input and advice.

Ben

 

[cmayna]

Ben,
I've done the 3pt system in both the daughter's 65 coupe as well as the 68 fastback. Both were done up above the door pillar. I would never to the convertible method unless I had a vert.

 

[SDMustangRider]

I have the write up link with pictures if you like from another forum. I just received one side 3 pt belt which is going in this weekend. And middle of the week, I should receive my other. It looks VERY simple to do, but will take some time to do. Let me know if you want that link.

 

[Lizer]

I have a suspicion that the spinal compression people talk about with the rear sash became one of those things that propagated only because someone heard someone else talk about it, not because it's actually occurred in a consistently significant manner. But I haven't read into it a whole lot. That, and I can't see why NTSB would still approve aftermarket seat belt kits to be installed in such a way if it were a serious risk for the constrainee.

With that being said, I explored both options when mounting mine in my 67 coupe...up high, and down low. Ultimately, the lower sash-mounted set up was a lot more comfortable than mounted up high. And if you look at the geometry in the shoulder belt of modern vehicles where it's seat-mounted, it's more similar to the sash mount. The bonus to this is you don't have to see the seat belt hanging in the window when the car is parked, which looked ugly too during my test fits.

I don't know what's right or wrong. Truthfully I think both have got to be right if NTSB is still saying it's ok. It comes down to personal preference, how much you want to modify your car and where you want those modifications to go, and how you want it to look. Sash mounted is what was most comfortable for us when both myself and my wife tried it. Your mileage may vary.

 

[glmarker]

I used the lower mount on my 64.5 when I put in the 3 point belts 1 1/2 years ago. Other than hard to find on occasion when getting into the car, I do not regret it, and would do it again. The lower point just seemed easier and provided more structure tha up above in my coupe.

Either way you go, you will be safer than with just the 2 point belts, so you cant make a wrong decision, unless you don't do it at all.

Gary

 

[SDMustangRider]

I just got done putting the driver side on yesterday. Waiting for Wednesday to get my other belt and complete that. Definitely better than 2 pt. Might as well have nothing holding me.

 

[SDMustangRider]

The other shot

 

[paul289]

I did the low mount on mine, but I don't like it all that much. It has too much slack at that position, and it seems to want to slip off my shoulder. Additionally, the quarter window crank is too close to the mount. Rear passengers are more likely to bash their fingers on it. I feel it would just be better mounted higher up.

 

[glmarker]

Yes, I do have a clearance issue with the rear window crank. Not a problem to me though, as no one rides in the back seat. The only time it becomes an issue is at a cruise in or car show when I put the rear windows down. To me, the coupe looks better at the show with the rear windows down.

 

[Nashville'65]

Thanks all, appreciate the input. SD- I'd love the installation link you mentioned. I'll post pictures of my final install for you to check out. Ben

 

[doug67]

I just got done putting the driver side on yesterday. Waiting for Wednesday to get my other belt and complete that. Definitely better than 2 pt. Might as well have nothing holding me.

SDMustangrider, you mounted your top mount a bit too far forward. Because of changing federal regulations ford started stamping holes for the upper seat belt mount in 67 mustang and started welding studs into that same location in 68. Of course you have a 65/66 so I'm not sure if they have this hole, but a similar location should be used. The third picture in the link below shows the factory stud location in a 68 Mustang and the sixth picture shows how the seat belt looks when completed. Being further forward your shoulder could easily slip out and you'd be no better off.

Seatbelts

I will look for the best fastback mustang location

 

[doug67]

This is what I plan to do on my 66 Mustang Fastback.

Seat Belts w/Shoulder harness

 

[SDMustangRider]

Thanks all, appreciate the input. SD- I'd love the installation link you mentioned. I'll post pictures of my final install for you to check out. Ben

Sounds good! I'm getting my passenger belt tomorrow so I'll have that side down this weekend.

 

[SDMustangRider]

SDMustangrider, you mounted your top mount a bit too far forward. Because of changing federal regulations ford started stamping holes for the upper seat belt mount in 67 mustang and started welding studs into that same location in 68. Of course you have a 65/66 so I'm not sure if they have this hole, but a similar location should be used. The third picture in the link below shows the factory stud location in a 68 Mustang and the sixth picture shows how the seat belt looks when completed. Being further forward your shoulder could easily slip out and you'd be no better off.

Seatbelts

I will look for the best fastback mustang location

Actually it's not a bit too far forward. It's perfect where it's at. Besides, it's in the hole that was made already so this is where the seatbelt SHOULD be mounted. Trust me. My shoulders are definitely not going to slip out. Yea. That picture of THAT mustang is different than my setup, as well as others over on the vintage mustang forum.

 

[doug67]

No "SHOULD" on a 65 or 66 Mustang, none of the holes in the inner roof structure were designed for a seat belt mount. Here's a better picture of the factory 68 mustang coupe seat belt stud(white circle). If you think your location is good, than no worries. Just passing along the factory location which can be replicated in a 65 or 66 coupe. I would think Ford did some testing to determine the proper location, but that could be a big stretch to assume. I used this location in my 67 coupe.

 

[SDMustangRider]

To be dead honest, it doesn't matter whether it's in your location or mine, as long as its mounted in securely. That being said it shouldn't be an issue. Just seeing the picture you posted and mine as well, I don't see that much of a difference where the belt goes over the shoulder. So I guess it's your choice where it goes, and there is no right or wrong location. Although where you mounted it, it's a whole lot different than what others did that posted to my thread a few weeks ago. But,If it gets the job done, so be it. dpchug.gif

 

[Lizer]

It's taking a lot of liberties to say there is no right or wrong location because there most certainly is. For that matter, the upper mounting point should be straight above/perpendicular to the retractor for proper action.

All that aside, I wrote these instructions when I did the test fit in my car.

Mustang 3-Point Retractable Seat Belts (1965-1973) Installation Instructions

And I did not even think about the quarter window crank handle...yeah, that's going to suck.

 

[fastback66]

I put 4pt seatbelts in Christine. Got them on ebay for $30 each. I am using the stock mount points. It was amazing autocrossing with them on the first time. Held me in place like nobody's business. Recently rode with a friend on a autocross in his 65 fastback. He only has the lap belt on the pass side and I felt like I was holding on for dear life

 

[wrestlenrace]

I put 4pt seatbelts in Christine. Got them on ebay for $30 each. I am using the stock mount points. It was amazing autocrossing with them on the first time. Held me in place like nobody's business. Recently rode with a friend on a autocross in his 65 fastback. He only has the lap belt on the pass side and I felt like I was holding on for dear life

Can you send me or post pictures of your 4 point mount seatbelts. wanting to do 4 or 3 pt ones inmy 1966 coupe in the near fututre

 

[MTaylor66]

Just to clarify, is there an indefinite location to mount the upper point of the 3 point seat belt, safety-wise(whether that be up top on the head liner or down lower by the quarter window crank)? The lower mounting option by the quarter window crank, looks like the better one to me(not necessarily going off safety), because you don't have to deal with removing the headliner. Is it harder for passengers to get in the back seats with that mounting point? Then there's also the window crank dilemma you run into with the lower mounting point...