Shortening lap belts

[jd21476]

I have abench seat in my '73 and the lap belts are really long. I understand the purpose is so that if you move the bench forward you can still grab the buckle and it does not disappear into the seat crack but I keep the seat all the way back.

Now I have the 3 point belts but the lap portion gets pulled up due to the shoulder belt and the makes the buckle sit around my belly button as opposed to across my lap.

I have been twisting the lap belt to shorten it but there has to be a better solution on how to shorten the belts.

[mrolds88]

Check with an upholstery shop. They may have an outlet for where they get their belts redone. Or you might be able to find a set of the inner part of the belts out of a later model truck with the same color belts. That might be easiest.

[piecesparts]

You will not find many places (if any) that will touch a seat belt. Liabilities for the work could ruin them, if you have an accident and you get hurt or killed.

[jd21476]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

You will not find many places (if any) that will touch a seat belt. Liabilities for the work could ruin them, if you have an accident and you get hurt or killed.

Thats why I want to make sure I do it right. Isn't there a seatbelt shortener for child seat or something that kind of folds the belt over. I dont want to permanently shorten the belt cause my wife does drive the truck periodically and she slides the bench forward and needs the longer belt.

[Bob6]

Same thing here. I just got the 3-point replacement from LMC for my '76 C-10. It's a poor design, whoever makes them. The buckle digs into my side.

But that's not the only thing. Instead of replacing the stock bracket that holds the inertia reel, they give you this dinky angle piece. Try tightening two nuts on that!

The reel is super sensitive and tough to pull out smoothly, but the retract spring is so weak you have to feed the belt back in.

The pieces that bolt to the floor are not angled like the original.

One good thing is that they don't suck in every time you take a deep breath like the awful original ones that were typical of the 70's. I put the old ones back on for now. Wish I could find a better quality set, for which I'd be willing to pay more $$.

[mrolds88]

JD contact these folks. They may be able to help.

http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

[jd21476]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

JD contact these folks. They may be able to help.

http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

ok, thanks

[nekkidhillbilly]

what about retractable lap belts? arent they retractable in the trucks?

[Bob6]

The inertia reels next to the door retract, but the short section (with the buckle) coming up thru the middle of the seat is fixed. It's too long, so the buckle digs into your side.

[nekkidhillbilly]

gotcha. it didnt bother me but im not a heavy guy or anything.