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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed
[GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 11:02 Go to next message
Mark Stevens is currently offline  Mark Stevens   United States
Messages: 9
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Hi,

I live in Boise, ID. I would like to upgrade my driver's and passenger's
seats to modern seats with integrated belts, but have not been able to find
someone willing to do this. Apparently there are liability issues that
fewer and fewer installers are willing to take on.

Any ideas?

Mark
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Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115518 is a reply to message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 12:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GeorgeRud is currently offline  GeorgeRud   United States
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Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
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Senior Member
There have been previous threads on the use of the regular seatbelts as opposed to the three point belts (either in the seats themselves or by using a pivot point on the coach body itself to anchor the shoulder harness).

It seems that it may not be a great idea as the coach was not originally designed for shoulderbelts. There would certainly be liability concerns for any shop that would install such a system if ever there was an injury. The seat mounting bases were certainly not designed to take these sorts of stresses when they were originally designed. The original seat belts mount to points in channels in the floor that are quite well reinforced, so those points should be fine for any stresses encountered.

Obviously, you could install such seats yourself and use them. I personally feel much better with a shoulderbelt as well, but still use just the lap belt in my coach. We would all pray that none of us ever have to test these safety systems in the real world!


George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115525 is a reply to message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 13:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
zhagrieb is currently offline  zhagrieb   United States
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I would never use lap or shoulder belts attached to the seat. In an accident both you and the seat would sail through the windshield happily strapped together.

I added shoulder belts to my coach using the original floor mounts for the ends and attached the shoulder mount to all three of the aluminum body frames between the cockpit and "living room" windows. The brackets I fabricated are held in place with titanium rivets and SS screws.


Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG '73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'
Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115527 is a reply to message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 13:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Mark,

I don't think installing a set of seats is really that difficult, I'll bet
you could do it yourself with help from "us."

However, I think you'll find that new seats with integrated seat belts are
rather pricey.

Here's a link to an eBay store that sells used seats:

http://stores.ebay.com/LKQonline/_i.html?_fsub=8&_sc=1&_sop=1

I found a company in Texas that makes them but can't seem to find the link
or the email correspondence I had with them.

Should you decide to do it yourself check with "us" before you buy the seats
to see if anyone has installed a set like you are considering buying.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark Stevens
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 4:03 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger
Installed

Hi,

I live in Boise, ID. I would like to upgrade my driver's and passenger's
seats to modern seats with integrated belts, but have not been able to find
someone willing to do this. Apparently there are liability issues that
fewer and fewer installers are willing to take on.

Any ideas?

Mark

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115528 is a reply to message #115527] Fri, 18 February 2011 13:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mark Stevens is currently offline  Mark Stevens   United States
Messages: 9
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Thanks Rob, I'll check it out.

On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:46 PM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:

> Mark,
>
> I don't think installing a set of seats is really that difficult, I'll bet
> you could do it yourself with help from "us."
>
> However, I think you'll find that new seats with integrated seat belts are
> rather pricey.
>
> Here's a link to an eBay store that sells used seats:
>
> http://stores.ebay.com/LKQonline/_i.html?_fsub=8&_sc=1&_sop=1
>
> I found a company in Texas that makes them but can't seem to find the link
> or the email correspondence I had with them.
>
> Should you decide to do it yourself check with "us" before you buy the
> seats
> to see if anyone has installed a set like you are considering buying.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark Stevens
> Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 4:03 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger
> Installed
>
> Hi,
>
> I live in Boise, ID. I would like to upgrade my driver's and passenger's
> seats to modern seats with integrated belts, but have not been able to find
> someone willing to do this. Apparently there are liability issues that
> fewer and fewer installers are willing to take on.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Mark
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115529 is a reply to message #115525] Fri, 18 February 2011 13:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Mark Stevens is currently offline  Mark Stevens   United States
Messages: 9
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Could you send me some pictures?

On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 12:49 PM, Glenn Giere <glenngiere@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> I would never use lap or shoulder belts attached to the seat. In an
> accident both you and the seat would sail through the windshield happily
> strapped together.
>
> I added shoulder belts to my coach using the original floor mounts for the
> ends and attached the shoulder mount to all three of the aluminum body
> frames between the cockpit and "living room" windows. The brackets I
> fabricated are held in place with titanium rivets and SS screws.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and PassengerInstalled [message #115536 is a reply to message #115525] Fri, 18 February 2011 14:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Glenn,

I'm sorry but I'm going to disagree with your statement below. If this were
true why would companies make seats with integral shoulder seat belts,
they'd be sued out of business after the first customer "sailed through the
windshield."

Here's a company that makes them:

http://www.kustomfit.com/company.htm

They do note that the floor must be reinforced.

If you remove your wheel wells and look up you will find that the OEM seat
bases are bolted through the aluminum sub floor frame.

I'll let Ken Henderson "discuss" installing over the shoulder belts attached
to the body between the window.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426

-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Glenn Giere
Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 6:50 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and
PassengerInstalled

I would never use lap or shoulder belts attached to the seat. In an
accident both you and the seat would sail through the windshield happily
strapped together.

I added shoulder belts to my coach using the original floor mounts for the
ends and attached the shoulder mount to all three of the aluminum body
frames between the cockpit and "living room" windows. The brackets I
fabricated are held in place with titanium rivets and SS screws.
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and PassengerInstalled [message #115540 is a reply to message #115536] Fri, 18 February 2011 15:16 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KRDietz is currently offline  KRDietz   United States
Messages: 133
Registered: July 2010
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I'm with Glenn. They make those seats because people want them. They
tell you that you must reinforce the mounting points to cover their butts.

Nothing wrong with that kind of seat in a GMC but you'd better reinforce
the mounting point, too. I wouldn't be inclined to trust the stock
mounting structure with my life. I'd want to spread the load over a
larger area and be very specific on what hardware I used to bolt it all
down.

As for shoulder belts and those scary pictures that are thrown out there
every time someone brings it up - I say you're more likely to bounce
your face off the steering wheel in a little fender bender than have
your head ripped off in a rollover. I'm taking my chances with my
shoulder belt attached like Glenn did. I've seen what is involved
putting a face back together that hit the steering wheel while wearing a
lap belt.

Just sayin'...
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=3599

> Glenn,
>
> I'm sorry but I'm going to disagree with your statement below. If this were
> true why would companies make seats with integral shoulder seat belts,
> they'd be sued out of business after the first customer "sailed through the
> windshield."
>
> Here's a company that makes them:
>
> http://www.kustomfit.com/company.htm
>
> They do note that the floor must be reinforced.
>
> If you remove your wheel wells and look up you will find that the OEM seat
> bases are bolted through the aluminum sub floor frame.
>
> I'll let Ken Henderson "discuss" installing over the shoulder belts attached
> to the body between the window.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Glenn Giere
> Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2011 6:50 AM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and
> PassengerInstalled
>
> I would never use lap or shoulder belts attached to the seat. In an
> accident both you and the seat would sail through the windshield happily
> strapped together.
>
> I added shoulder belts to my coach using the original floor mounts for the
> ends and attached the shoulder mount to all three of the aluminum body
> frames between the cockpit and "living room" windows. The brackets I
> fabricated are held in place with titanium rivets and SS screws.

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Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115551 is a reply to message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 16:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Luvn737s is currently offline  Luvn737s   United States
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
Senior Member
I think seats from a 2000-2005 Suburban/Yukon/Avalanche, etc. would work. They only have 1 armrest, though.

The flimsy fiberglass front cap offers no collision protection, so I would think that sailing through the front windshield would not be my primary concern. Any accident that would result in failure of a reinforced front seat attachment would likely be fatal anyhow as whatever you hit ends up in your lap.

Besides, say you are talking about a 5g collision (most aircraft restraints are rated at 9g so let's assume momentary 5g might be the upper end of survivability. For a 200lb driver, you are trying to restrain the equivalent of 1000lb. Should that load be distributed between 2 lap belt attachments to the floor and perhaps some structure or 4-8 reinforced floor bolt attachments?

I'd go with the built-in belt if it had 2 arm rests and could be made to swivel easily. Any roof attachment for a harness would have to have alot more structural engineering that I would want to tackle.



Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115556 is a reply to message #115551] Fri, 18 February 2011 16:37 Go to previous messageGo to next message
zhagrieb is currently offline  zhagrieb   United States
Messages: 676
Registered: August 2009
Location: Portland Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Mark,
I have a computer called "Apple". It has a program called "Time Machine". Time Machine is supposed to back everything up so nothing gets list. Guess what. It doesn't always work that way. I lost many files and pix using Time Machine and among them were shots of my seatbelt install.

However, those Kevin has posted aren't so very different from the way I did it so go from there.

Now Rob. You know that down under action/reaction is different and a head on would throw you backwards so for safety you need to screw your shoes to the floorboards.

Glenn


Glenn Giere, Portland OR, K7GAG '73 "Moby the Motorhome" 26'

[Updated on: Fri, 18 February 2011 16:38]

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Re: [GMCnet] Getting Captain's Chairs for Driver and Passenger Installed [message #115569 is a reply to message #115503] Fri, 18 February 2011 17:41 Go to previous message
George Beckman is currently offline  George Beckman   United States
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Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
Senior Member
Mark Stevens wrote on Fri, 18 February 2011 09:02

Hi,

I live in Boise, ID. I would like to upgrade my driver's and passenger's
seats to modern seats with integrated belts, but have not been able to find
someone willing to do this. Apparently there are liability issues that
fewer and fewer installers are willing to take on.

Any ideas?

Mark
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Mark,

We ended up with the Honda seat conversion. I too would like shoulder belts. When you are looking at integrated seats, be aware that many don't have arm rests. In fact, I never found any that did. May not be a big deal, but something to consider.



'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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