Seat belt options....

[Nickathome]

Guys;

Anyone know a good source for seat belts that can be adapted for use in an M37? I realize saeat belts aren't original to these trucks, but I need to safeguard my children in the event I take them on trips on the main roads. Up till now the kids have only ridden around the neighborhood(as in back roads short distances) but I am leery of even that for them. Any advice on options and sources will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[obxron]

If i remember correctly, I think Cabel Garbee has something about seatbelts on his site.

[CGarbee]

If i remember correctly, I think Cabel Garbee has something about seatbelts on his site.

Yep.

See the page on my website that discusses where I got them, how I put them in, and what they look like...
http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos33.htm

They are a great addition that help keep folks from going through the windshield when I stomp on the brakes, or from flying around too much when I hit the trails...

Enjoy,

[knattrass]

I bought mine from MW - they are black webbing, buckle/latch. Comes with all the installation bits and pieces. For max safety they need to be drilled and mounted to the floor and not the seat side panels. I went with 3. The belts have an adjustable take up loop and are long enough to fit around my slender proportions. Don't double up anchors on the same bolt and make sure you space the inboard holes properly to the instructions. Be ready to drill thru a few metal layers depending.

[Nickathome]

Guys ,thanks for the info, however a question; Is the only way to install the belts by drilling into the floor? If I have to I will do it, however I'd prefer not to drill into the floor if I can get away with it. I understand from a pure safety standpoint, this may be impossible to get around, and I can accept that.

[CGarbee]

Guys ,thanks for the info, however a question; Is the only way to install the belts by drilling into the floor? If I have to I will do it, however I'd prefer not to drill into the floor if I can get away with it. I understand from a pure safety standpoint, this may be impossible to get around, and I can accept that.

Only if you want them to stay secured when you need them... They have to be attached to solid enough metal to prevent the anchors from pulling out (hence the need to have the plate around the anchor to help distribute the load...) and having a seperate anchor for each belt attachment.

[knattrass]

I work for a small automotive company here in the D. We had seat belt retractors bolted to the sides of the seat panels. I was told by the guys here that the straight load path to the floor is the way to go. I tossed the retractors and ordered the belt from MW.

[Nickathome]

I'll most llikely go with the floor mounts. Just wanted some options. I'll look into the ones ad Midwest Mil soon. Thanks.

[52m37Hal]

I have been thinking about these. They are designed for vehicles without a door post that extends above the bottom of the window line.

Take a look at the installation instructions.

Has any put these or other belts with a shoulder belt in their M?

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks
Hal

[rixm37]

I used Wesco Performance. They even had OD colored belts. They sell all the hardware to install and good price. On the internet at wescoperformance.com. Hope this helps

[Nickathome]

Thanks will look them up....

[52m37Hal]

Sorry I forgot to add the link to the seat belt with shoulder harness. See my post above.

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.ne ... -help.html

Hal

[52m37Hal]

Please see my earlier post in this thread. Anyone have any input on this type of seat belt with shoulder strap?
Hal

[knattrass]

I could not find any 3 point systems that would work in a vehicle configuration for the M37. These low posts work with a low seating position for bucket seat type vehicles where your shoulder is slightly below the guide. Given the high seating position in the M37, I could not find a suitable solution. I decided to go with the 2 point belts from MW.

[Paul in Kempner, TX]

All the posts in this thread seem to be considering only installing seat belts to protect the wearer in a sudden stop situation. This is best shown in knattrass' concerns about the upper mounting point posted Mon Feb 18, 2008 9:54 AM.

This made me think that having a proper rollover cage would provide upper mounting point(s). Is everyone in this thread only discussing the use of seat belts in trucks with no rollover protection?

I first drove an M37 in 1964. I have owned M37's since 1992 and am reasonably familiar with their capabilities and limitations. I enjoy driving my original, stock M37 and use it within the capabilities for which it was designed. I mostly drive on trails. I also do some cross country exploring but avoid "EXTREME" terrain that is best suited for modified, purpose built trucks.

Because I choose where I drive, I choose to drive a truck with no rollover protection. I have two-point seat belts which I use in all on-road situations, but have found they sometimes restrict my reaching the 4WD selector levers when off-road. Here again, because I choose to drive slowly when off-road, there is usually little benefit from the belts there.

My point is that the level of occupant protection is based on where and how you drive and the use and type of seat belts must be considered as part of a total system.