I just installed my drivers side shoulder belt in my 72 chevelle. The way it fits over my shoulder seems more of a hazard than safety feature. It crosses about the left side of my neck. I feel the belt rubbing my neck basically. Seems if I were in a crash, I might strangle myself. Is this normal? I don't think I installed it wrong, seems there is only one way. My seat is about as far back as it goes.

I'm about 5'8" and the shoulder belt gets me in the neck too. I pretty well always wear a shirt with a collar so that I can tuck the belt under it to stop the rubbing. It doesn't seem very accident friendly. You sit even lower with bucket seats and that just seems to aggravate the situation.

Same for my '70-it's just the way they were then, no adjustments.

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I'll sit on a couple of pillows till my head bumps the roof. That ought to lower the belt :)

Hey guys...let me know what you think oif this. I made these belt guides for my '71 but the concept should work for others. I took a shaft collar and welded it to a piece of round bar that was bent over into a "U" shape. I powder coated it black and attached it to the headrest post. Voila! A guide that didn't require cutting anything up and takes away the "pain in the neck" for just about anyone in the seat. I'm 6'2" and my wife is 4'11" and it works for both of us. :thumbsup:

dp, that's a great idea for comfort - but I'm not sure if it's good for safety.

I don't think those attaching points on the seats were designed to withstand the force of your body moving forward in an accident. I'd hate to have them come off when you need them most.

At work we used those same lock collars on air cylinder shafts to limit travel.
You can probably buy them through your local machine shop. I would also be a little afraid of what might happen in an accident. Perhaps the holder part could be redesigned so that the belt pulled out of it in the event of a crash. The headrests aren't all that well anchored.

dp, that's a great idea for comfort - but I'm not sure if it's good for safety.

I don't think those attaching points on the seats were designed to withstand the force of your body moving forward in an accident. I'd hate to have them come off when you need them most.


I would also be a little afraid of what might happen in an accident. Perhaps the holder part could be redesigned so that the belt pulled out of it in the event of a crash. The headrests aren't all that well anchored. [/quote]


Good points, guys. Can't argue with safety. I can revisit the design and update if I come up with something that looks more promising.

If you change the rod to aluminum, instead of steel, I bet it would give before the headrest ... maybe tie it in to BOTH posts on the headrest?

Not to mention, the head rest mounts on modern cars are of similar strength, IMHO ...

Perhaps the plastic guides from newer cars could be adapted to the Chevelle seat.

Has anyone figured out something further on this one yet?

I was more of less thinking of the things for kids, and when I was looking them up, this came up.

http://www.seatbeltmasters.com/new_page_1.htm