Turn signals and seat belts

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by r.morrison

I have an 67 M38A1 with seat belts in the front seats only .... The back seats do not have them and I have never researched whether they were used or added to this vehicle over it's life span within the Armed Forces.

I recall that when my parents bought a 1966 car (in Ontario - but I believe the required equipment is a federal standard), front belts were standard but rear were an option (price $7 if memory is good). There was a further option of "deluxe" belts that gave you a push-button release rather than lever action. When they bought a 1971, I think it had rear belts standard but I'm not sure. Interesting the odd bits that stick in memory while others don't.

[chris vickery]

I have often wondered why seatbelts in an MV? The way I see it, a collision in an MV is more than likely to kill or permanently disable a person anyways...

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Chris

Without high jacking the original point of this thread. Seat belts, or improved lighting are a reasonable progression to this discussion

Now as to belts, I have them on all my CMPs accept the rear seat of the HUP, which I have to do before my grand kids can ride back there. It is as much staying put in the seat. For the driver it is being stable in the seat to drive. Off roading bouncing up out of the seat on a CMP is not uncommon, with your feet and hands being your only points of contact with the truck it is really hard to control the vehicle. The normal belt concept of staying with the vehicle in an accident guess that depends on what you hit.

Given the realities of driving on the ever more congested roads (at least in my area) trying to improve the visibility of the tail light is important. I'm currently looking at LED replacement bulbs even though I long ago augmented the original 1inch CMP tail lights with 3 inch commercial units.

If the original question concerning what is require in Elvis's providence has been answered. Should we progress to the question of how to improve the lighting on our MVs without totally loosing authentic appearance?

Cheers Phil

[chris vickery]

Phil, I agree with you regarding how seat belts can aid in keeping you in your seat. I suppose that I was merely pointing out a reality for those who might fall into a false sense of security, believing that they would really do much.

As far as lighting; I always have always added either more original lights to the tail of of any MV, mounted in original style fashion to avoid looking like they were an addition. In cases where original was not the best, I have at least purchased mil-spec lights from another vehicle to look the part, eg M series lights on a CMP.
Much better than civvy added lights. This is another area where a 12v upgrade to the existing electrical system doesn't really stick out but adds another margin of safety. Turn sigs are a pretty simple addition as well.