Seatbelt questions

[BrianG]

I'm on the hunt for seatbelts and have looked at most of the regular catalog/websites, plus a few seatbelt special sites based on searches on this forum. I'm still not really excited about anything I've found. I have a few questions.

1. Why is it that my factory retractable lab belts fit just fine in the original mounting holes and yet almost all of the replacement three point sets require a bracket for at least the driver's side to relocate it. (When these are relocated they seem to really stick out and I'm not really keen on the idea of the belt not pulling straight away from the mounting point.

2. Does anyone make a three point setup with the original style of 67-72 buckle (69 specifically if they are different).

3. I have a black truck with saddle interior.... black belts, so the shoulder strap matches the b-pillar, or saddle (dark brown) so they match the seat?????

4. I'm looking for the most discreet "original" looking three point setup I can find. so, who makes them?

Thanks,
Brian

[jocko]

#3 - saddle belts, not black

Have you tried Juliano's? http://www.julianos.com/seat_belts.html

Also, consider getting belts/material at Juliano's and then sending them off to someone to rebuild using your original retractors. I had to have my retractors rebuilt by a shop specializing in this - I hate to admit but I gave up after destroying about 3-4 sets of the little brittle clear plastic retainer tubes... I had a company named ssnayk oyl http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/ rebuild my original retractors. So, I'm guessing they can probably do whatever you need. They weren't exactly responsive and that was a bit annoying at first, but it's a smaller business and ya gotta figure they are busy.

I understand you are wanting to add shoulder belts, but maybe this will at least give you a place to look for some answers. Factory optional shoulder belts are like hen's teeth...

And black truck with a saddle interior is a beautiful combo, would love to see a few pics of your truck, especially the interior. Good luck!

[special-K]

Your belts should be saddle. No one makes a 3 pt. with original 69-72 style buckles...and they should! I sold all my OEM shoulder belts because I felt like a Mexican bandito with gun belts across my chest. Too much hardware for me. All someone would have to make is the male end that accepts both belts. It's a very simple piece of metal that would get chromed. Black is the only color reproduced in a lap belt

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by jocko

#3 - saddle belts, not black

Have you tried Juliano's? http://www.julianos.com/seat_belts.html

Also, consider getting belts/material at Juliano's and then sending them off to someone to rebuild using your original retractors. I had to have my retractors rebuilt by a shop specializing in this - I hate to admit but I gave up after destroying about 3-4 sets of the little brittle clear plastic retainer tubes... I had a company named ssnayk oyl http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/ rebuild my original retractors. So, I'm guessing they can probably do whatever you need. They weren't exactly responsive and that was a bit annoying at first, but it's a smaller business and ya gotta figure they are busy.

I understand you are wanting to add shoulder belts, but maybe this will at least give you a place to look for some answers. Factory optional shoulder belts are like hen's teeth...

And black truck with a saddle interior is a beautiful combo, would love to see a few pics of your truck, especially the interior. Good luck!

Thank's Jocko. I really like the idea of trying to use my original retractors. I may have to try to contact that company.

[67ChevyRedneck]

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo...ench-help.html

Very reasonable prices too. I literally just bought new belts for my truck to replace the old ones. I originally had ones out of a 73-87, then first gen S10, then aftermarket, now these. I got the chrome buckle. I drove my truck to work so I'll take a couple pics during lunch. They look pretty cool.

Just made sure when you order you get the chrome buckles (extra $5 each) and BENCH SEAT ENDS, the other ends will be too short, and the bench seat ends are adjustable like original.

I also added two of their "Install kits." You do have to use a 90* bracket (sorry, I have yet to see one where you don't). I did try to use the original lap belt bolt hole, and it looked OK, but it put the retractor too far back and looked kinda goofy when not in use, so I moved it out more in line with the lines of the bench seat.

[67ChevyRedneck]

The colors came out weird in my pics... my seat looks almost green... it's blue.

Had to toss this in here... this is more like what my seat really looks like... phone camera made it look weird... it's actually a pretty close match to the door panels.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

The colors came out weird in my pics... my seat looks almost green... it's blue.

Had to toss this in here... this is more like what my seat really looks like... phone camera made it look weird... it's actually a pretty close match to the door panels.

thanks for the pics. The retractors look pretty good on those. I could go either way between the chrome buckle they offer and the GM one. The particular GM one that they offer looks more like a car buckle in my opinion. I do like the chrome buckle but have a few questions... How do you like working the chrome mechanism? is it difficult to use? and do they get hot when the truck is sitting in the sun? Thanks again.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by BrianG

thanks for the pics. The retractors look pretty good on those. I could go either way between the chrome buckle they offer and the GM one. The particular GM one that they offer looks more like a car buckle in my opinion. I do like the chrome buckle but have a few questions... How do you like working the chrome mechanism? is it difficult to use? and do they get hot when the truck is sitting in the sun? Thanks again.

No problem.

I think they're awesome. They just push in to click like any other seat belt. Super easy to undo, way faster than the button type. You can undo them with your pinky. They're so easy, that if you have a little one that rides with you and likes to play with things, etc, you may want to go with the button type.

I can't really answer the 2nd question, only been in the truck a couple weeks along with the new seat, and my truck is in the shade of the garage shadow in the morning before work and I'm parked under a giant oak tree at work.

My whole order (with a middle lap belt and shipping) was about $180 (make sure you order "2"... they're sold per side.... made that mistake before too...)

Again, just make sure you check the bench seat floppy ends tab, otherwise you'll get their short buckle ends that come in plastic support things (think bucket seats), and those are all black webbing where the plastic matches the color you pick... learned that lesson on my 65 Mustang... I have 4 blue seat belts with 4 black buckles. (I removed the plastic because it wouldn't "work" with my cars center hump/seats).

Also forgot to mention, you will have to bend the bracket slightly as the floor in these trucks is not a flat 90* on the side.

[67ChevyRedneck]

My order:

3 Point Retractable Seat welr-sbs-chrome

2 - 76.90 29 Colors = Blue - #4002
Belt with Chrome Seatbelt
Add Mounting Hardware = Yes(+$6.95)
Buckle
Bucket or Bench Seat = Bench Seat -
24 inch Adjustable Floppy End
#408-2
Lap Belts - Choose Item # LL
1 16.95 29 Colors = Blue - #4002
Seatbelt Buckle Style:
Add 212 Bolt kit = No Thanks
Chrome Lift Lever Lap
Length = 60 inch LL60
Seat Belt

Subtotal 170.75

Shipping 17.12

Tax 0.00

Total 187.87

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

My order:

AWESOME!!! That helps a lot! Thank you!

[Jonlopes]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo...ench-help.html

Very reasonable prices too. I literally just bought new belts for my truck to replace the old ones. I originally had ones out of a 73-87, then first gen S10, then aftermarket, now these. I got the chrome buckle. I drove my truck to work so I'll take a couple pics during lunch. They look pretty cool.

Just made sure when you order you get the chrome buckles (extra $5 each) and BENCH SEAT ENDS, the other ends will be too short, and the bench seat ends are adjustable like original.

I also added two of their "Install kits." You do have to use a 90* bracket (sorry, I have yet to see one where you don't). I did try to use the original lap belt bolt hole, and it looked OK, but it put the retractor too far back and looked kinda goofy when not in use, so I moved it out more in line with the lines of the bench seat.

Looks like a good system and they have GM buckles available too. Did the 90 degree brackets come with the mounting hardware?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by BrianG

AWESOME!!! That helps a lot! Thank you!

No problem, anything to help someone get 3 points in their classic.

I ate the dash in an old Jeep Commanche when I was 4 wheeling with my dad when I was like 10 or so. Only had lap belts, dad basically hit a ditch and I went face first into the dash. Bled all over the damn place. My mom went nuts (I was fine).

My C10 has had 3 points for the past 18 years I've been driving it and my 65 Mustang has Wesco belts as well.

Ignore the mess, still working on the interior:

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Jonlopes

Looks like a good system and they have GM buckles available too. Did the 90 degree brackets come with the mounting hardware?

Actually comes with 2!

[Jonlopes]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Actually comes with 2!

Thank you for the reply, I have been wanting to upgrade to shoulder belts and this seems like a nice option. I just have to decide if I am going to stay with the Saddle interior or convert to black.

[BrianG]

Do you happen to know who the manufacture of those belts are? It looks like Wesco is a supplier, and I was just curious if the belts carry a particular brand name. Also, Those are made in the U.S. correct?

[67ChevyRedneck]

I think it depends on which ones your order.

The ones in my mustang are different than the ones in the truck (long sash guide, bucket seat buckles) and they were made by "AMSAFE" and do say Made in USA.

MY truck belts say "Seatbelt Solutions, LLC" - Jupiter, FL.

Yes, they are just a distributor, just like Goodmark. The belts I've ordered have just come in generic boxes.

[Z10]

Try Morris. Great stuff.

http://www.morrisclassicconcepts.com/seatbelts.html