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fiberglass tub + seatbelts

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by nyejos11, Feb 20, 2005.

  1. Feb 20, 2005
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Messages:
    384
    Does anyone have a proven safe method for seatbelt installation when using a fiberglass tub? I am putting in a three point retractible belt. The CJ used to just have lap belts which do nothing for your face and head in an accident. The upper (shoulder attach point) was easy. I just drilled a hole through the roll bar and attached with a grade 8 bolt. By the way the roll bar is now attached down to the frame. The lower points I'm not sure of. Any ideas, pics?

    Josh
     
    nyejos11, Feb 20, 2005
    #1
  2. Feb 20, 2005
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,425
    All I have are lap belts that bolt thru the floor. I did use very large washers that are about 1 1/2' -2" in diameter. My tub has the piece of wood in the floor to help with reinforcing the floorpan. If you can bolt onto that, that will help too.

    The tub is stronger than you think. If your really worried about the bolts pulling thru, get some 1/8" flat stock and cut a piece that will fit from one hole to the other. Drill it out for the seatbelt bolt, and bolt it to the bottom of the tub. It'll have to rip ALOT of fiberglass before the belts let loose. If that pulls out, the belts wouldn't have done much good anyways. ;)
     
    termin8ed, Feb 20, 2005
    #2
  3. Feb 20, 2005
    nyejos11

    nyejos11 Member

    Emmaus, PA
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Messages:
    384
    Yes,
    Mine does have wood reinforcing at certain areas. Do you really think the wood/fiberglass is strong enough to hold? I emailed the co. that sold me mine to see what they recommended but they never wrote back. Did yours come with any guidlines/ instructions on seatbelts?
    Thanks for the help.
    Josh
     
    nyejos11, Feb 20, 2005
    #3
  4. Feb 21, 2005
    oakesmi2

    oakesmi2 New Member

    Flagstaff, AZ
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2002
    Messages:
    48
    The Fiberglass Mfg. are not going to tell you how to install seatbelts that would be way to large of a risk of getting taken to the cleaners by some lawyer after someone gets hurt from the way they told them to install the belts.
     
    oakesmi2, Feb 21, 2005
    #4
  5. Feb 21, 2005
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,425
    My tub is an old one I bought from someone.

    I figure if a large bolt and BIG washer is good enough to hold the tub to the frame, its good enough for holding me into the tub by a seatbelt. ;)
     
    termin8ed, Feb 21, 2005
    #5
  6. Feb 21, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    OTOH it wouldn't be that hard or expensive to run a piece of flat stock from the underside of the seat belt mount to somewhere on the frame.
     
    Boyink, Feb 21, 2005
    #6
  7. Feb 21, 2005
    wingtime

    wingtime Member

    Clearwater FL
    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2003
    Messages:
    143
    get or make a very large washer to go under the nut. You can use steel, but I went for non corrosive stuff whenever I could. AKA aluminum or stainless. I think I just drilled a hole a 2"-3" square 1/4" aluminum plate and put a regular washer u nder that.

    Also if you drill into the tub and penetrate the wood reinforcments be sure to put some sort of a sealent on the bolt before you put it in. The last thing you want is that wood rotting out on ya!
     
    wingtime, Feb 21, 2005
    #7
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