Hi Everybody!

In the spring, I might get a job that will require extensive highway travel. I would feel safer if I had something better than the original lap belts in my '68 Dart!

What I don't want is anything like the original factor shoulder straps, which I fell are almost as bad as the original belts. Also, I don't want to have to install a roll cage just to safely install seat belts.

How have others upgraded their safety belts? Has anybody had success installing racing style harnesses, etc. in a street driven car?

Patrick Devlin

pwd22@drexel.edu

I put a set of '97 Sebring convertible seats in my '64 Valiant. They have the shoulder straps integrated into the headrest. It's not an inexpensive mod, since the seats are still rare in the wrecking yards.


lancer_41@excite.com

I like this idea. I'll be on the look out for seats from a convertible. I'm still researching as much as I can about seat belts, because I wouldn't want to install them incorrectly. I found an article with some tips about proper belt installation (for race cars, but many tips could apply to street-driven cars). The link to this article is below.

What else have others done to increase occupant safety?


http://www.speedwayillustrated.com/beltstory.html
pwd22@drexel.edu

One thing to keep in mind. If you go the Sebring seat route, you will also need to get the seat control module which resides in the center console. Make sure you get the interconnecting wire harness also. You will need this since the belt inertia lock is electronically controlled in the Sebring. I made a schematic that I will be glad to share if you decide the seat option works best.


lancer_41@excite.com

I've thought about convertible seats for a long time. I have a 65. How hard were the seats to mount to the floor? Did you have to make special mounts? What can I expect it to cost?

Mike

MAndreas@aol.com

It wasn't difficult, but the measuring and testing is time consuming.

I made 8 brackets out of angle iron, and two flat plates from steel stock you can buy at Lowes or Home Depot.

I was able to use the front outside holes to locate the seat, but had to drill holes in the floor for the other mounting points.

I also built a center console, so was able to install the seat control module in approximately the same location it was on the Sebring. It would also fit under the seat if it had to.

The wiring is not difficult once you figure out how to hook up the control module, and all the materials you need are available at most
auto parts stores.

The seats cost me $475, but some places wanted over $800. The module was $50, and the odds and ends probably cost another $20.

When I get the car ready for photos, I'll do an article for this site.



lancer_41@excite.com

Hi Gary,

I sent a message directly to your Excite email address yesterday since I'm installing these seats into a '66 Corvair, not a Dart or Valiant. Just thought I'd post a quick note here in case you haven't been checking that email account often.

Good luck to everyone who goes this route--I am very pleased with the quality of the Sebring seats. Would love to see pictures of your installations. I can provide some of mine if you care to see them.

Thanks!

--Kent
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kentsu@corvairkid.com

Follow up:

I didn't hear from Gary but I was able to work out what was necessary. Everything is now hooked up and it works! Yahoo! Having seat belts with retractors is sure great and the 6-way power driver's seat isn't bad either.

After much discussion with a few folks, I decided to go back to the salvage yard and purchase the Seat Belt Control Module and the companion wiring harness. That did the trick and was easy to hook up--only eight wires.

It was just dumb luck that I ended up with the "early" design (1996-98) of the electronics, where all of the logic is in the SBCM. In the "late" design (1999 an later), some of the logic is in the Body Bontrol Module, which is a big, complicated module that would not be fun to try to install or mess with. (If I had needed it, I would have tried to design a replacement circuit for the little functionality required.)

I would be happy to email anyone more details... You don't need to own a Corvair for me to respond, I promise! Vintage Mopars are also very cool in my book.

Take care,

--Kent

P.S. I'll post pictures of the completed job at the URL given below as soon as I can hook up with my upholsterer to fix the carpet. (The new seat tracks are different from stock.)

'66 Corvair 500 coupe
kentsu@corvairkid.com