Gentlemen:
I would like to install retractable seat belts in my old Jeep. To do
this I need to have a point on the roll bar to mount the swivel for the
shoulder belt. This is normally attached with a 7/16-20 shoulder bolt. So
what is the safest way to attach the bolt to the roll bar for maximum seat
belt strength and also to not weaken the roll bar? I can think of three
possible ways to do this: Weld a heavy nut to the bar; drill a hole through
the bar, weld in a steel sleeve and use a through bolt; use a riv-nut. I
think the factory used a riv-nut but I am not sure. Any input will be
appreciated.
Thanks...Mike DeAngelis

"Mike DeAngelis" wrote in message
. ..
Gentlemen:
I would like to install retractable seat belts in my old Jeep. To do
this I need to have a point on the roll bar to mount the swivel for the
shoulder belt. This is normally attached with a 7/16-20 shoulder bolt. So
what is the safest way to attach the bolt to the roll bar for maximum seat
belt strength and also to not weaken the roll bar? I can think of three
possible ways to do this: Weld a heavy nut to the bar; drill a hole
through
the bar, weld in a steel sleeve and use a through bolt; use a riv-nut. I
think the factory used a riv-nut but I am not sure. Any input will be
appreciated.
Thanks...Mike DeAngelis



Hi Mike,
Check Jegs, (www.jegs.com) they have roll bar gussets and parts to do
exactly what you need with the nut idea. Spitzer Race cars also has them in
stock.
Just make sure your roll bar is the real deal and not factory "good
looks" type. If you roll. you die. And the belts could be a huge problem if
in the event of an accident it were to move and the seat did not. Also,
Spitzer has a tech line you can call during business hours and they are a
lot of help. ( http://www.gospitzer.com/06home.htm) I hope some of this is
of value. I'd give them a ring and see what they say. I fully trust them,
I have two funny cars made by them and I totaled my first and walked away.
They are really good engineers and welders.

All the best,

Rob Fraser

Fraser Competition Engines
Chicago, IL.

On Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:21:34 GMT, "Mike DeAngelis"
wrote:

Gentlemen:
I would like to install retractable seat belts in my old Jeep. To do
this I need to have a point on the roll bar to mount the swivel for the
shoulder belt. This is normally attached with a 7/16-20 shoulder bolt. So
what is the safest way to attach the bolt to the roll bar for maximum seat
belt strength and also to not weaken the roll bar? I can think of three
possible ways to do this: Weld a heavy nut to the bar; drill a hole through
the bar, weld in a steel sleeve and use a through bolt; use a riv-nut. I
think the factory used a riv-nut but I am not sure. Any input will be
appreciated.

Strongest way would be the steel sleeve and through bolt, since the
welding makes it one piece with the bar, and the bolt and washer
spread the stress to both sides.

The factory may have used a riv-nut, but that does weaken the roll
bar at the hole and relies on strength from only one side. In a crash
the forces don't last long (milliseconds), but they are huge.

Then again, if you are stressing the bar that much, you are already
in deep deep trouble...

If you still want to use the "stock" shoulder bolt, you could have a
sleeve machined with the 7/16"-20 threads inside, or weld two barrel
nuts end-to-end over a chunk of threaded rod to get the needed length.
Weld it into the roll bar, clean up the ends with a grinder, and then
chase out the threads with a 7/16"-20 tap before final assembly.

-- Bruce --

Rob and Bruce,
thanks for the good information.
....Mike DeAngelis

"Rob Fraser" FraserRacing"AT"RobFraser.Net wrote in message
...

"Mike DeAngelis" wrote in message
. ..
Gentlemen:
I would like to install retractable seat belts in my old Jeep. To do
this I need to have a point on the roll bar to mount the swivel for the
shoulder belt. This is normally attached with a 7/16-20 shoulder bolt.
So
what is the safest way to attach the bolt to the roll bar for maximum
seat
belt strength and also to not weaken the roll bar? I can think of three
possible ways to do this: Weld a heavy nut to the bar; drill a hole
through
the bar, weld in a steel sleeve and use a through bolt; use a riv-nut. I
think the factory used a riv-nut but I am not sure. Any input will be
appreciated.
Thanks...Mike DeAngelis



Hi Mike,
Check Jegs, (www.jegs.com) they have roll bar gussets and parts to do
exactly what you need with the nut idea. Spitzer Race cars also has them
in
stock.
Just make sure your roll bar is the real deal and not factory "good
looks" type. If you roll. you die. And the belts could be a huge problem
if
in the event of an accident it were to move and the seat did not. Also,
Spitzer has a tech line you can call during business hours and they are a
lot of help. ( http://www.gospitzer.com/06home.htm) I hope some of this
is
of value. I'd give them a ring and see what they say. I fully trust
them,
I have two funny cars made by them and I totaled my first and walked away.
They are really good engineers and welders.

All the best,

Rob Fraser

Fraser Competition Engines
Chicago, IL.