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-   70-72 GTO Tempest & LeMans TECH (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=436)
-   -   1969-72 convertible shoulder belts (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=849539)

Scarebird 04-02-2021 11:40 PM

1969-72 convertible shoulder belts
 
5 Attachment(s)
One of the drawbacks in my eyes of the 69-72 "A"s is they do not offer a good solution for retractable shoulder belts. As I was rebuilding my 71 I mulled this over and eventually came up with this idea.

First was how and where to mount the retractor. It must control the shoulder section, not the lap belt initially. Note how modern cars do it - you adjust the lap section by a slider. I purchased a set for the front and rear from Wesco Performance. They offer many types and colors, even with licensed GM buckles.

Now where to put them... I noted that the top hinge bracket had a 1/2" hole thru it - a perfect spot for the inertial reel retractor! I wonder if GM was thinking of using this as an anchor for belts?

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1617420833

As you can see it fits quite nicely! I had some grommet bezels made out of nylon by 3D printing (a first for me). The came out nice. They mounted just under the upper shield. Production pieces will be a bit taller - more room for error as cutting the hole in the top "wall" is the hardest part.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1617421004

A pair of prototype seat guides were cut out of steel. Production units will be 3D printed.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1617421004

Floor anchor was fabbed from some scrap steel. Production pieces would be laser cut and formed, with a nice 3D printed cover to pretty it up.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1617420915

Testing commenced this afternoon - a few things were learned and sorted out.

foxgapLeMans 04-03-2021 06:10 AM

Very nice!!!!!!

tjs72lemans 04-04-2021 12:00 PM

Great work!!

will slow gto 06-23-2021 01:19 PM

Nice work! Can you post a few more pics with driver when the car is finished?

Jimbobeast 03-25-2024 10:22 PM

I want to install the shoulder restraint belts in my 1970 convertible. As you describe, the Fisher Body manual states there is a 1/2" hole in the hinge support. I can't find the hole. We're takling about the convertible top bracket, right? And from there where did the belt go so that it would not interfere with top movement?

Scarebird 03-25-2024 11:19 PM

Mine has a hole right where I needed it - perhaps only the later years had it?

Drilling one should not be difficult - it cleared the top arm fine.

Jimbobeast 03-29-2024 07:44 PM

OK, I found the hole, now to see if I can get to it without disassembling the rear seat area

Scarebird 03-29-2024 07:55 PM

I doubt this.


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