ttwiebe

I want to install low back bucket seats with the integrated seat belts into my 57 Olds 88. It is the only way my foster kids will be allowed to ride in the car. Does anybody know what makes and models this feature was available in.

Yellowstatue

Our Bravada has that set-up. Power up, down, sideways and it reclines. Looks like leather and you could remove the head rests.

Koda

Is telling the nanny state child protective bureau to kiss your behind an option? Seriously, it's stuff like this that eliminates whatever small inkling I might have had to use my time and resources on someone else's kid. You're a better man than I am for putting up with it. Be sure to save your original stuff so that you can change back once the Gestapo allows it.

joe_padavano

Seats from a more-door typically don't fold forward to allow back seat access if used in a two-door. The Chrysler Sebring convertibles also have seats with integrated belts. Of course, for the belts to be effective, the seat mounting needs to be properly attached to the floor pan reinforcements. You can't simply drill holes in the sheet metal floorpan and expect that to be safe. That only provides the APPEARANCE of safety - kinda like TSA at the airport...

cherokeepeople

how old are your foster kids.could you put belts in the back seat for em?and leave the front beltless??

Mr Nick

Joe makes a good point, one that I bring up every time somebody talks about installing seats with integrated seat belts.

The floor mounts from the factory is only designed to hold the mass of the seat itself, not the occupant. As stated, if you bolt in seats with integrated seat belts, you're now asking the floor and bolts themselves to withstand the strain of the seat (probably heavier than factory) AND the weight of the occupant. A low speed crash would probably not be a concern. High speed crash though, that's a lot of G-forces being put in places that are not intended to handle them.

ttwiebe

my plan is to mimic the formed channel that reenforced the floor pans in the the 80. with a 600hp twin turbo small block and electronic 4 spd auto and 4 wheel disk brakes. I want to ensure everyone stays in there seats. I am looking for those " right " seats. my wife's 57 is a restored 88 holiday. mine is a 57 88 holiday with plans of being a street rod

cdrod

I've been researching the Chrysler Sebring convertible seats for my project. From what I understand, the later year models have an active seat-belt locking mechanism that is triggered by an electronic accelerometer to lock the seats belts. It's not just a mechanical ratcheting system like most of the 70's era cars came with. I'm still researching, but it's looking like the earlier years (approx '01~'06) don't have the accelerometer component so these may be easier to retrofit into an older vehicle. You definitely need to reinforce the seat mounting points if you install these seats, because they are heavier than the original equipment seats. Here is a very informative link about installing into a Corvair, the info contained in this write-up is very comprehensive.

http://www.corvairkid.com/sebring.htm

Good luck!

DewChugr

BMW convertible seats are very nice. The non sport seats would look less out of place and many have heaters if you're interested in that.

ttwiebe

thanks for the in site. I forgot about the hole convertible option. I have a lot of cars to check out.

DewChugr

I believe some trucks had them also.

cdrod

The convertible seats will fold forward where most 4-door seats only recline back. If your '57 is a 2-door, you will need to find replacement seats from a 2-door car so you can fold them forward to get into the back seat.

ttwiebe

Mine is a 4 door. I plan to suicide the rear doors. With no upper door frame around the window I think it will be a cool custom look. The B pillar is only a half pillar so to install any other shoulder belt I would have to mount to the roof. I think that would look cluttered