SEATBELTS FOR MY 65 Chrysler Newport

[Cianmini1]

Hi guys I have a 65 Chrysler newport that came with no belts,
Ideally I would like something a little better than lap belts if possible, I can’t put harnesses in as I’ve no harness bar or roll cage. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks

 

[CBODY67]

In 1966, I believe there were optional shoulder belts, BUT they strung across the top of the front seat and anchored somewhere in the rear seat area. NOTHING like the 1970s belts!

The normal lap belt "anchors" should be in the rear floorpan "hump" rearward of the front seat. Probably just need to drill the hole for each of them?

After the 1966 model year, as in the 1970 model year, had a separate shoulder belt that was anchored and stored on the inside upper roof rail, horizontal, section of the top structure. 1972, to me, would be the better year as the shoulder belt attached to the basic retractable lap belt buckle by just sliding into it.

IF you desire to install the later version of "shoulder belts", you will need to determine where the anchor point for the upper belt will need to be and WELD the attachment and BRACE into the top roof rail structure, which will also mean a new headliner will be needed.

Might want to swap-in a 1972 C-body front seat with adjustable headrests, too?

Just some thoughts and observations,

CBODY67

 

[Cianmini1]

Hi thanks for the above il look into this possibly thanks

 

[Snotty]

You won't need to drill at all; they will be in your floor, pre-drilled and tapped. All you need to do is get the belts and the right size bolts.

 

[Snotty]

In my '62, when I put the front belts in (someone had added the rear ??), in order to get the correct size of bolts, I took the rubber plug that I had removed from the holes to my parts shop. Not only were they the right diameter, but there were impressing of the threads too. Made it very easy to install those belts.

I purchased the belts at a Street Rod Show. They were great!

 

[Big_John]

Hi guys I have a 65 Chrysler newport that came with no belts,
Ideally I would like something a little better than lap belts if possible, I can’t put harnesses in as I’ve no harness bar or roll cage. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks

View attachment 717991

It's probably best to stay with a conventional seat belt. Anything else with a shoulder belt is going to need some fabrication at minimum and may cause more problems in a crash than not. Cobble something in there and it could even be a liability if someone is hurt in a crash. Just saying... Your choice.

You won't need to drill at all; they will be in your floor, pre-drilled and tapped. All you need to do is get the belts and the right size bolts.

Fronts are drilled and tapped for (IIRC) 1/2-20 (double check that) and I've used early Mustang repop bolts in my '65s. The outboard holes are up towards the door sills and the inboard are on the trans tunnel. The rears will need to be drilled, but there's dimples in the floor pan for the bolts. The outboard belt holes are actually on the wheel well.

Here's some stock rear belts. Yes, they used eyebolts for the optional belts, but you don't need to.

 

[D Cluley]

I know the dimples are there to mark where the rear seat holes need to be drilled, but is there a reinforcement underneath, or would that need to be added? If you really need the belts, a bolt through unreinforced floor pan sheet metal probably isn't going to hold.

 

[Big_John]

I know the dimples are there to mark where the rear seat holes need to be drilled, but is there a reinforcement underneath, or would that need to be added? If you really need the belts, a bolt through unreinforced floor pan sheet metal probably isn't going to hold.

On the stock rear seat belt mounting, there's a large washer that prevents the bolts from pulling through. The factory takes it one step further and rounds the corners of the washers so they won't cut through the sheet metal. Aftermarket versions tend to be a thick washer about 2 1/2- 3" in diameter.

Obviously, the floor sheet metal has to be in good shape.

 

[Timsnewporttwin]

I have a 65 Newport too. Came with front belts only. I went the original route,wanted to keep things stock. I searched parts cars and got correct belts for the rear.

My car had the hardware already in the back for the belts. So installing original replacements was easy. I assumed all cars were set up for belts but maybe, for whatever reason, mine were taken out.

Try Murray Park in Ohio, I'd bet he has a set.

 

[Torky]

Hi guys I have a 65 Chrysler newport that came with no belts,
Ideally I would like something a little better than lap belts if possible, I can’t put harnesses in as I’ve no harness bar or roll cage. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks

View attachment 717991

I can't help with the belts but note an unusual trim detail around the front bumper end. I would appreciate receiving a picture of the car's fender tag to help me with the development of my decoder. I will decode the tag (no charge, ever) and the VIN if you want to share it. VIN probably begins with C153 and that is enough for my decoder-sample attached.

 

[Torky]

Hi guys I have a 65 Chrysler newport that came with no belts,
Ideally I would like something a little better than lap belts if possible, I can’t put harnesses in as I’ve no harness bar or roll cage. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thanks

View attachment 717991

Pretty sure there are at least two pair of seat belt anchors welded to the bottom of the pan. These would include a reinforcement plate and a welded on fine thread nut with protective rubber plugs in them. Poke a pick up through the carpet to pop out the rubber plug and locate the attachment points. Use a flat washer underneath a standard eyebolt anchor and attach belts. Similar attachment locations may be found beneath the back seat. Look on the sills and the hump. more seatbelts more seatbelts (I did not notice the previous excellent information on seat belt attachments) I could run your car's fender tag daat through my decoder. N/C, ever. Just need pix of fender and VIN tags. Example below.