Must the shoulder belt mount holes be tapped?

[robroy]

Good afternoon,

I'm getting ready to install shoulder belts in my '72. The shoulder belt mount holes had rubber plugs in them, which I removed.

It seems that the holes where the mounting bolts would normally go have no threads on my truck.

Am I supposed to tap threads in these holes? Or is it better to try to use a nut on the inside of the cab body (not easy to do).

Also, if I do tap the holes, how can I be sure that the threads I tap will be strong enough to withstand the force of a collision? Or will they be strong enough by default?

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

[td]

good ? i haven't looked at mine close enough to know if threads are there or not.

Thanks Robroy! now im gonna have to walk to the shop in the cold and look

[Jake11]

Run a 3/8" tap through the hole. Don't go too far, or you'll make a dent on the outside.

[MAK]

I had to tap mine (in a 72) as they were not already threaded. I could swear though that I had read at some time that others had claimed that theirs were already threaded. I can't say with any certainty that if I got in a wreck the threads would hold the bolt in. I have no idea what actual force would be required to pull something loose but even though there was not a lot of depth for threading it seems like it would be pretty tough to generate enough force for that to fail as an anchor point.

[FORDification]

I've parted out a bunch of these trucks, and all of them had threaded inserts. However, as these guys are saying, apparently that's not always the case. I have no explanation.

[MAK]

I've parted out a bunch of these trucks, and all of them had threaded inserts. However, as these guys are saying, apparently that's not always the case. I have no explanation.

I noticed this photo you posted the other day. Why was this "factory" setup mounted to the back of the cab instead of using the side location we are talking about here? Even stranger since all the ones you have seen have already been threaded.

[fordman]

the 67-69 trucks had the third belt hole in the rear cab wall and the 70-72 trucks had the mount in the side wall. it was a design change.

[SteveC]

the 67-69 trucks had the third belt hole in the rear cab wall and the 70-72 trucks had the mount in the side wall. it was a design change.

my 67's was tapped already

[FORDification]

the 67-69 trucks had the third belt hole in the rear cab wall and the 70-72 trucks had the mount in the side wall. it was a design change.

That is basically correct, except that the change was in mid-'71:

[fordman]

oops my mistake. i knew i should have just looked up the answer.

[robroy]

Good morning folks! Thanks for all the great replies!

I presented the idea of tapping the holes to Hugh (father) and heard that he has the tool for that, so that's a possibility.

He also mentioned that it may be better to implement the seat belt connection by putting a large, fat washer on a strong bolt, then slipping the bolt through the hole in the cab from the inside, then placing a nut on the outside to hold it in place. Then the seat belt could be mounted on this "stud" with a locknut from the outside. He thinks this would be stronger than tapping the threads and be easier to implement.

What do ya'll think of this alternative plan?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[MAK]

Good morning folks! Thanks for all the great replies!
slipping the bolt through the hole in the cab from the inside, then placing a nut on the outside to hold it in place. Then the seat belt could be mounted on this "stud" with a locknut from the outside. He thinks this would be stronger than tapping the threads and be easier to implement.
What do ya'll think of this alternative plan?

Thanks!
-Robroy

Are you even able to reach down behind the panel from above where the headliner attaches??
If so, I think I would still tap /thrtead the holes and then just attach another washer and nut on the back side. I can't remember when I had my headliner out if there was room between the cab outside and in side panels to do that... Even if there is some space I doubt it's enough to get the length of bolt required to feed through from the back side of the existing mounting point.

[fordman]

i agree. i dont think there is anyway to get a nut between the outer skin of the truck and the inner wall of the cab. taping it is probably the way to go. dads way sounds good. but i dont think it can be done without cutting a hole for access .

[robroy]

Hey Fordman and MAK,

You know, I can actually reach the hole pretty easily by putting my arm up from the underside (next to the gas tank area). Maybe this is because my gas tank is out of the cab for the moment; I'm not sure.

Do you two have the early or the late mounting position? Mine's the late.

Thanks!
-Robroy

[fordman]

my last parts truck was a 72. i didnt relized you could get your hand up in there. i just never tried. but i also own a 67 and a 68 and i have a 69 cab. i have also parted out a 79. the only thing i havent had is a 71 or a 71 1/2. if you can reach it. then its worth a try. but most junkyard trucks are going to have a chrome bolt the bolts into a threaded nut behind the cab wall. with a stud sticky out it will give you a more unprofessional look.