Seatbelts

It's time for me to go with 3-point seat belts and I need suggestions. '53 M38A1...it looks like a retractable unit will be harder to squeeze in. Does anyone have any experience with non-retractable seatbelts that can comment?

Also sources. Pick and pull is an option but most cars on the lots here are newer and the belts wouldn't be as easy to install.

 

I'm using 3 point non retractable in my CJ5. I like them.
I believe I got them from JC Whitney. Probably the last
thing I ordered from them 6 years ago. Good quality and
a good price.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/3-pt-non-r...ety-belt/p2006840.jcwx?filterid=d1166y1966j1#

 

Thanks for the responses. It's been a long time since I've used a non-retractable or for that matter, one of the older retractable ones. I know the non-retractable are adjusted to a set tightness across the shoulder so movement is somewhat limited but isn't that the case with an older retractable style as well?

I'm use to the newer ones that lock up with the brakes. If the basic retractable ones tighten up when they're put on it seems to me that your movement will be just as restricted as it would be with the non-retractable. Considering an $80 difference for 2 of them and because it's a trail rig and not for DD I'm leaning towards the non-retractable.

Does anyone have a compelling reason not to go that route?

 

Just to clarify - some belt setups are for off road or race and do not go through the hassel to get DOT certified, most are race certified which is higher than DOT. This does not mean they are not as good.

IF your auto didn't come with belts, your not bound by laws to have DOT belts installed. You must have DOT belts IF your auto came with belts orginally.

 

I used 3-point belts from a '79 Subaru wagon. Easy to access and install.
For years I had them mounted on the front of the wheelhouse. Because of the angle of that face, it did cause lock-up problems, especially offroad. I eventually moved the retractors to the top of the wheelhouse, attached to the roll bar. Solved that problem nicely.
I'll look for pics...

 

Herte are some pics I got from Snowtow over on JU... I copied his mounting method when I moved the retractors:







This pic shows the '71 with the Subaru seatbelts, retractor was still mounted down on the front of the wheelhouse


After a search, looks like I never took any pics of the newer set up I installed in the '71. Let me know if you really need some pics, maybe I can ask Don to shoot some pics and post them. You should be OK just using Snowttow's pics as a guide... all you need is a couple pieces of 1/8" or better strap steel, 4 muffler clamps and a drill. And weld the steel to the muffler clamp sections.