I'm installing new 3-point seat belts in my 68 convertible.
I believe the "best" spot to bolt the reel to is shown in the photo below (the circled bolt), which is behind the back seat arm rest.
I'll replace all of the stock piston cover bolts with Grade 8's, and will of course use the proper bolt to attach the reel itself.
The reason I suggest this is the "best" location is that the reel will be hidden behind the back seat armrest, and will therefore be nicely out of the way. So the kids won't be stepping on it (which they would be if I bolted it on the floor), dirt and crap won't be falling into the mechanism, etc.
BUT
I have questions about the strength of the metal I'd be bolting to, and this is where I'd like your input. The piston cover itself seems fairly weak to me; when just one side is bolted in place, I find that I can pull and bend it from the other end. For a piece of stamped metal, this doesn't seem right. (but what do I know?)
As shown in the photo, the bolt would actually pass through a second piece of metal, which appears to be factory welded to the door jamb area on one end, and to the floor on the other. But I have no idea how strong this metal is either.
Can anyone attest to the strength of the metal in question? I no very little about steel (even less than I know about cars!) Perhaps I'm being overly cautions, but I want to make sure it's rock solid; ideally, the car should disintegrate before these belts ever come loose!
Thoughts? Suggestions? Does this seem like a good anchor point to you? If so, why?
If you're worried about it, reinforce the area with some sort of added sheetmetal and anchor it where you can. If you're going to go to all the trouble of adding a better safety device, make it as safe as you can. If you don't like it you can always tear it out and try again.
