I'd like to install a set of rear seatbelts in a 65 f-85 as a safety matter. Has anyone done this? Do modifications have to be made to attach to belts? Any suggestions for venders.

 

Your car MAY already have the threaded holes for rear belts under the back seat, since I believe they were optional that year. Pull the rear seat bottom cushion and look for the threaded holes. This will simplify your installation and ensure that the belts are properly attached for strength. If the holes are not there, you want to put them in the original locations. You will need the oval reinforcement plates that the factory used - otherwise the bolts will just pull through the thin floor pan. These plates are available from street rod seat belt companies.

 

Thanks! I'll look tonight.

 

There isnt any threaded holes back there. What is there are some flat round spots. Thats where the belts attach. Youll have to drill a hole in the middle of each flat circle, there is a dimple there to guide you, then get the right attaching hardware. Olds used bolts and huge washers, the size of the flat spot, to attach the belts.

 

I would suggest that instead of fender washers, use specific seat belt reinforcement plates like these:

http://www.julianos.com/anchor_plate.html

 

I hardware I used are original GM parts.

 

I was thinking of adding an extra (middle) belt in my '66. I had thought of going to the junk yard and grabbing a lap belt and then 'doubling' them on the existing bolt.

I'm starting to think this may be a bad idea.

Why oh why did we have to have three kids? It will be very difficult to decide which one gets to sit in the death seat.

 

TK-65: Thanks for the photos. I wish mine was that clean. Joe: I'll go with the bigger anchors. Any suggestions where to get new belts with logo?

 

The ones in TK's car are 1965-only and can get expensive. Unless you already have the correct front ones and are trying to match them, I'd get a full set of generic 67-70 GM plastic buckle belts which are much easier to find.

Depending on year that's what the factory installations did. You'll need the special shouldered bolts to do this.