I have been considering upgrading the seat belt system for the driver and passenger in the 68 to a 3 point system with a retractable shoulder restraint.
I believe in the 68's there was an option for the shoulder strap but the anchors were factory installed in all cars whether you took the 3 point or the 2 point. So, I have been looking the car over and wanted to locate my shoulder anchors points in the 68 under the headliner. I think I can feel an area where they should be but I wanted to peel back that headliner and have a look.
I am wondering if anyone can tell me how to expose the underbelly of this headliner over the rear passenger window? I am including a couple pics, one of the front door pillar and then the roofline trim above the rear window. I would like to expose the anchor points but I need to get under the headliner. I took two screws out of the door pillar trim but it seems well secured so I am hoping someone can give me some instructions on exposing this anchor point under my headliner and removing this upper roofline trim.
-- Edited by 68 Grande on Tuesday 28th of April 2020 09:47:13 AM
Heres' a image from a 1968 Chevrolet Service manual. I'm to assume the same assembly applies to roof mounted shoulder harnesses on any FS 68 sports roof.
Not much to go on, but it does show some detail. The headliner shows running around and behind the pinchweld. But I think there might be some kind of tacking strip with teeth behind that roof rail trim. Maybe not? Maybe a tacking strip running with the pinchweld in which the liner is stapled to?
Remove the trim and you'll know more of where you stand. I wonder if the nuts are in place?
Ask member Johnathan here. He has a sports roof possibly without a headliner.
Mark, thanks so much for this picture, it certainly helps.
But, how does that roofline trim and door pillar / windshield trim come off? I am stumped on that part. Is that trim secured on the roof rail by clips, or does it somehow snap into place?
I enquired about dropping my headliner to have sound insulation put on the roof and was told once you remove the headliner you can only replace it with new due to the way it is glued in on the back window sail panel.
Does anyone have a photo with the headliner out?
You may get away with finding the right spot to cut.
Check with the supplier for installation instructions.
As I was in the car trying to figure this out, I was pushing my heel against the heel pad in the carpet and riipppp, my friggin heel just ripped my carpet at the heel pad!! Arggh! Jumping junipers, now I need a flipping new carpet as well!
I guess after nearly 53 years, this old carpet is egg shell brittle.
No need to drop your headliner, give me a minute and i'll go out and get the actual measurements so you can feel the holes with your fingers and poke heles for the bolts with an awl.
No need to drop your headliner, give me a minute and i'll go out and get the actual measurements so you can feel the holes with your fingers and poke heles for the bolts with an awl.
The first picture would indicate that the location of the anchor is right above the garnish roof trim (rail) so hopefully with a measurement from Cheviac, I can locate this anchor without wrecking anything else in the process!
As I was in the car trying to figure this out, I was pushing my heel against the heel pad in the carpet and riipppp, my friggin heel just ripped my carpet at the heel pad!! Arggh! Jumping junipers, now I need a flipping new carpet as well!
I guess after nearly 53 years, this old carpet is egg shell brittle.
Glad to help with the carpet, nosreproductions.com and have a look. Remember you will need a Impala carpet or give Terry a call 1-800-667-6200. All prices Canadian $
Page 15-58 "Built in roof and floor anchorage provisions are provided in all 1967 body styles. To locate roof anchorage provisions for an original shoulder strap installation, refer to locating dimensions supplied in the service package installation instruction sheets."
Fig 15-83 on page 15-59 shows 4 door and 2 door, just like a 68. Fig 15-84 on page 15-60 shows the anchor point just like the 68. shows the mounting. I think they are there.
-- Edited by 68 Grande on Wednesday 29th of April 2020 09:46:29 AM
Thanks for the info. I'd image you could feel for the mount if it were there? Did you find your mount Jake?
Well, not quite yet.
I took a long pin from my wife's sewing box to mimic a very very small awl, and I probed 2 feet back from the front door / windshield pillar and I can locate one hole on each side but I wasn't able to find anymore. From Cheviacs picture, there should be three holes in that anchor mount but I could only locate one. I might need to continue to probe but I am trying to be very careful as I don't want to ruin my nice headliner.
On the drivers side, there appears to be a raised area but the pin passes through it so it must be a one of the holes but on the passenger side, there no is raised area but I can also find a hole there. But, I am wondering why the driver side is raised, and the other is not? But, I have not located all three holes as shown in Cheviacs picture.
But, the measurement is accurate and if you look at the 2 door style in pics below, you can see that the anchor mount is slightly forward where the rear window would contact the rood line. So, the measurement is correct. I am sure its there, but I am very cautious here with my pin (awl) as I don't want to ruin anything.
Do you have access to one of those fibre optic inspection cameras? If so perhaps the lead would fit in where the coat hanger hole is and you could search that way. There's one on sale for $99 regular $349 at Canadian Tire this week. www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/maximum-lcd-inspection-camera-4-3-in-0574638p.html
Very timely response Todd as I just tossed out my Cdn Tire video snake as it was not working.
Might have to go pick up a new one for that kind of price.
Dont know if you have your new belts yet, I used Morris Classic Concepts when I upgraded. Tons of colors available and different buckle designs too. Kinda pricey, but I am very happy. Dont wanna cheap out on safety.
I'm trying to remember how the seat belts were configured in Dad's '68 Laurentian. It was a 4 door sedan, so it may be different from yours, but I seem to recall it looked something like this:
I got this image from google and it shows a Firebird, so spacing is not correct, BUT I recall those horseshoe shaped clips and the shoulder belt being folded up above the door. I cannot remember how they were used. I don't think they were ever used the whole time we had that car.
Is this what you are thinking of? or are you retrofitting a newer 3-point retractable setup?
