sheltonoil

1. Can you install a 3 point seat belt for the front seats with a convertible? I've seen folks mentioning doing it, but where would the top anchor mount that would still allow access to the back seat?
2. How difficult a job is it to replace one of the hydraulic cylinders for the top?
3. Same question for replacing rear glass, which looks like a tough nut.
Thanks in advance.

joe_padavano

Shoulder belts were a factory option in convertibles. The Fisher Body Manual shows the seat belt anchorage locations. The shoulder belts attached to the main hinge assembly for the top - there should be a pre-drilled hole in the hinge for this use. Note that the factory belts are two separate belts - one for lap and one for shoulder - and are not inertia reel style. The upper half of the shoulder belt was threaded out between the interior quarter finishing panel and the hinge/hydraulic cylinder cover.

stevengerard

my car came ordered these from the factory (they were dealer installed from what I'm told even if ordered from factory) . I did some research on these years ago and the mounting location for the shoulder strap is below 15 degrees below the shoulder which is considered a hazard so I myself do not wear them often

Fun71

The rear glass is bonded to the rear curtain, which can be replaced by itself but it requires the top to be removed to access it, so you may as well replace the top along with the rear curtain.

sheltonoil

Can anyone advise how difficult a job this is, and if there are any helpful tips?

stevengerard

IIRC relatively simple its replacing the fluid that's a pain and if you are replace the cylinders might as well make sure the lines are good. Some change them anyway.

sheltonoil

Thank you.

rcorrigan5

Here is where the shoulder belts are anchored for convertibles of that era. These pics are from a '69 4-4-2 convertible with the optional front seat shoulder belts.

Randy C.

stevengerard

Those shoulder belts are very long - need to be to reach the front.

FYI I took some of my belts apart today and it was a bit harder to pry off the back of the deluxe belt than I remembered as they are smaller than the regular seat belts. But Got them apart and cleaned them up.

sheltonoil

Great info and pics. Thanks.

DewChugr

Some info I have gathered.




Not sure if this was someone on here.

DewChugr

I'm looking for more modern seats in mine as I'm not to concerned for 100% originality. What do you think would be a safer option, a 3 point belt anchored like this or seats with integrated belts with the floor reinforced?

joe_padavano

The factory design has been analyzed and tested by engineers in that particular car. Anything else you do will not have been.

stevengerard

My car came with the front passenger shoulder belts, its a cool option but doing a search on mounting location of shoulder belts makes a difference. New research has shown that the shoulder belt should mount with in 15 degrees of the shuolder up or down. These belts mount much closer to 30 - 35 degrees below most peoples shoulders.

joe_padavano

Yeah, you are kind of locked into a body shell architecture that really wasn't designed for the optimum belt attach point. This is a trade-off between what's best and what's practical. Seats with integral belts provide a better geometry, but getting those properly mounted without engineering analysis raises it's own risks.

I prefer not running into things.

69OldZman

I just ordered a set of aftermarket, black, that will be using that mounting point for the front passengers. I will post when I receive them.

Part two of my project is to order and install for the rears, so I can use a booster seat for the kids.