Rear seat belt for 1960 BT-7

[HealeyPilot]

Does anyone have any pictures or advice on how best to install seat belts in the back of a BT-7?
Thanks!

 

[John_Progess]

I just installed three semi hidden seat belt bolts on my BJ8. I made them from 1/2" diameter 1" long bolts. I cut the bolt head down to 1/2" diameter leaving a 1/16" thick hex base and drilled and tapped the bolt for 5/16" fine thread(a lathe is necessary here). I will use a 5/16" fine thread lifting eye for the seat belts and then remove them when not in use. I have carpet under my back seats and you can only see the round head of the bolt in the carpet. I would take a picture but I have not been able to insert pictures. I can email some for you if you like. Hope this helps and have a good day!

John

 

[HealeyPilot]

Wow!

That sounds pretty cool. Please do email me the pics at bonanza55@yahoo.com if you don't mind.

Thanks!
Rob

 

[bt7tricarb]

Here is a shot of how mine look. The nice thing about this set up for me is if I don't have the kids with me and I'm at a show, I can roll them up and tuck them behind the squab.

 

[bt7tricarb]

Here is how they look behind the squab...

 

[bt7tricarb]

And here is how they are secured... yes there were some holes to be drilled, but I think it's a "clean" look. You can see how they are anchored in the wall of the trunk. There are three bolts (above spare tire) with LARGE washers. Because the third anchor is hidden behind the fuel downspout cover, you can only see two in the photo, but the third looks just like the one on the left.

 

[bt7tricarb]

If you want larger pictures (I must me doing something wrong... if I try a larger picture, it tells me I can't and I'm limited to one photo per post) let me know and I'll e-mail them to you.

I'm very pleased with this set-up. I know it's not "safe" by today's standards, but this was installed for the literal trips to the ice-cream shop. It's just in there to keep the kids from trying to stand up.

The only drawback (and it can't be helped) is if the kids do bounce around (not because of the car, but because they are excited) it will raise the rear squab since the seatbelts run under it, and the seat back will be loose until you stop and secure it. After it happened to them a couple of times, my kids learned not to bounce around.

 

[bt7tricarb]

Ahhhh... to post larger pictures (or more than one per post), I have to subscribe! I have just upgraded my account.

 

[bighly]

Can you folks really put a person back there?

 

[bt7tricarb]

My kids are ages 5 and 3. They currently fit just fine.

Also, many kids in the neighborhood like to go for rides. Usually can fit them up to about age 10.