Anyone installed a 3 Point Seat Belt in a Ranchero?

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-17 05:56

I'm looking into how / where to install a 3 Point Seat Belt in my Ranchero, and wondered what others have done. My first thought was to mount the top mount on the "B" pillar. But when you do that the belt will not be in a straight line from the top mount to the bottom mount, as the belt suppliers advise. The only solution I see for this "B" pillar mount, is to cut a couple of inches out of the "shelf" that is just below the rear window, so that the belt is in a straight line on the "B" Pillar.
Second thought is to reinforce the shelf below the rear window, and mount the top mount on the shelf. It would be much like a late model two seater convertible, where the belt is mounted behind the seat and at about the same height as the top of the seat.
So what have others done, and what do you think of these two options? I'd appreciate your comments and advice.
John

Ford Blue blood · 2019-05-17 07:10

John,

Have given this some thought for some time. The best I have come up with is reinforce the "B" above the tray, about half way from the tray to the top. Attach one end of the belt to the B and the retractor at the bottom on the floor. The latch would be on the shoulder/lap belt and slide up and down as necessary. The buckle would be on the inside of the seat attached to the trans tunnel and have the plastic cover to keep it pointed up for easy access.

At rest the belt would lay against the tray and the latch would slide down to the retractor. In use the belt would come across the chest and lap and buckle up. I have not moved on this idea yet as life has gotten in the way and not exactly sure I want to go this route. Still in the "pondering my belly button" stage with this.

fdlrc · 2019-05-17 07:18

I can't speak to mounting in Ranchero, as I mounted a set in my Custom 300. I will add however; the directions mentioned the top mount should be at ear height.

djfordmanjack · 2019-05-17 07:32

John, this is most probably not what you are lookign for, but want to give you some additional info. in my 1966 Mercedes I used special Hot Rod/ wgn appl. 3 pt belts from Wesco performance. that way you can put the roller box on top of the shelf like I did on the rear seat in the 250SE ( hope you can spot them on this pic). They are also available in many different colors and with aviation style chrome buckles among others ( also 1970s GM and many more).

https://www.wescoperformance.com/nonresebe.html

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-17 12:23

Quote from: Ford Blue blood on 2019-05-17 07:10
John,

Have given this some thought for some time. The best I have come up with is reinforce the "B" above the tray, about half way from the tray to the top. Attach one end of the belt to the B and the retractor at the bottom on the floor. The latch would be on the shoulder/lap belt and slide up and down as necessary. The buckle would be on the inside of the seat attached to the trans tunnel and have the plastic cover to keep it pointed up for easy access.

At rest the belt would lay against the tray and the latch would slide down to the retractor. In use the belt would come across the chest and lap and buckle up. I have not moved on this idea yet as life has gotten in the way and not exactly sure I want to go this route. Still in the "pondering my belly button" stage with this.

Bill, your approach is to the B pillar installation is what I was thinking as well. I've done some research on 3 point belt installations and a common instruction from all of the belt manufacturers is for the belt mounted on the B pillar to be straight up and down to the retractor. Without cutting that shelf, you can not get a straight up and down line with the belt. I'm prepared to cut the shelf, if I go with the B pillar installation.

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-17 12:53

Quote from: djfordmanjack on 2019-05-17 07:32
John, this is most probably not what you are looking for, but want to give you some additional info. in my 1966 Mercedes I used special Hot Rod/ wgn appl. 3 pt belts from Wesco performance. that way you can put the roller box on top of the shelf like I did on the rear seat in the 250SE ( hope you can spot them on this pic). They are also available in many different colors and with aviation style chrome buckles among others ( also 1970s GM and many more).

https://www.wescoperformance.com/nonresebe.html

Thanks Gunter, I looked up the website and I like that Roadster 3 Point Belt set. This setup is exactly what I would need for my Plan B, if I go with Plan B. Decisions , Decisions.

Tom S · 2019-05-17 18:58

The P O of my ragged '58 Ranchero installed 3 point belts.
The upper is attached to the B pillar & the belt fits me good.
I've not yet removed the inner panel of the B pillar to see how & how well the attachment point was done.
I'll try to get to that soon & take some pix & measurements.
I haven't been near the '58 for months but here is an old pic that partly shows the belts. Looks like they are mounted pretty high up on the B pillar.

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-18 05:24

Tom, ........a big Thank You for the photo. Yes, it looks like they are mounted rather high. Where does the belt "hit" you when it is buckled? Is it in the middle of your shoulder area, or closer to your neck?

Tom S · 2019-05-18 13:10

Quote from: KYBlueOval on 2019-05-18 05:24
Tom, ........a big Thank You for the photo. Yes, it looks like they are mounted rather high. Where does the belt "hit" you when it is buckled? Is it in the middle of your shoulder area, or closer to your neck?

As I recall it hits in the shoulder area as it should be & no neck interference or discomfort. I assume that it was the PO that installed them & he was was pretty a pretty short dude. I think I'm still ~6' 1", drive with the seat all the way back, & never had any complaint about how the belts fit.
You can see that the belt is not in an exact vertical line down to the tensioner but it all works just fine.
I'll try to get you some good pix & measurements later today or tonight. I really want to see what that upper mount behind the interior panel looks like. Hopefully it's been well reinforced.

Tom S · 2019-05-19 00:28

Seven pix of the 3 point belts that the PO installed in my ratty '58 Ranchero.
I could try to get a better look at the lower mount for the tensioner/retractor/anchor shown in the last 2 pix if you want.

Tom S · 2019-05-19 00:30

More of the 3 point belts.

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-19 05:09

Thanks Tom. No need for more photos, these give me what I need. Really appreciate you taking them.

dgasman · 2019-05-22 12:50

This is how I installed my seat belts in my ranchero .

KYBlueOval · 2019-05-22 15:37

Thanks for the photo. I had not considered doing it like that . I'll take a look and see how that mounting location works with the '66 T 'Bird seats I'm using.
Thanks again for the reply AND the photo

Ranch · 2019-05-29 20:16

I have Shoulder belts in my Ranchero. You should be seated and in what ever kinda of shirt you wear in the summer so you get the feel of the belt over your shoulder, have some one move it up and down on the B column till you like it. Oh also make sure your seat is in the position to were you drive, I sit close to the wheel cause I have Armstrong Steering and also a clutch. the passenger side might need to be lower for a woman, just sayin'

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Anyone installed a 3 Point Seat Belt in a Ranchero?