LMC 3-point seat belts -- lock-up issue?

[MikeB]

I'm looking at the 3-point seat belts at LMC Truck while they're on sale. They have a link to a very nice video by Kevin Tetz that answers most of my questions. However, I'm wondering about the belt tensioner. Does it lock up too easily?

He demonstrated how the lock-up works, but I just want to see if anyone here has real world experience with these seat belts. Not being able to lean forward or having the tensioner get tighter and tighter is a non-starter for me.

Years ago I had another truck with 2-point self-retracting belts that would tighten up as the truck bounced around even a little, meaning I had to release and reconnect them every so often while driving.

LMC seat belts:
https://www.lmctruck.com/interior/se...-belt-extender

[Steeveedee]

I bought a set of those from LMC. The lock-up is a centrifugal set-up that I think engages a little too easily. You'd better not be in a hurry to get the belt pulled out and buckled, or it'll lock up. It allows you to lean forward, if you don't move too quickly. Mine do not ratchet me down to the seat.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

I bought a set of those from LMC. The lock-up is a centrifugal set-up that I think engages a little too easily. You'd better not be in a hurry to get the belt pulled out and buckled, or it'll lock up. It allows you to lean forward, if you don't move too quickly. Mine do not ratchet me down to the seat.

Thanks for the info. Sounds about right for aftermarket belts. At least they don't ratchet you down to the seat!

How would you describe the kit overall? Are the belt lengths adequate? How about the latches?

I see other companies like Seat Belts Plus want over $400 for a set! LMC's are only $198/pr with tax and shipping. Seems like LMC prices have become much more competitive over the years. I remember back when I used their excellent catalog's exploded view, but then I'd buy from other companies.

[Steeveedee]

My son has a large belly, probably 50". But he's able to buckle up. I've had them in the truck for many years. Buckling and unbuckling don't seem to be any worse than my econobox, which is 46 years newer. On the truck, I have to feed the belt through the roller or it piles up and has gotten caught in the door jamb when closing. A little more tension in the return spring would overcome that, but I never dug into it.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

My son has a large belly, probably 50". But he's able to buckle up. I've had them in the truck for many years. Buckling and unbuckling don't seem to be any worse than my econobox, which is 46 years newer. On the truck, I have to feed the belt through the roller or it piles up and has gotten caught in the door jamb when closing. A little more tension in the return spring would overcome that, but I never dug into it.

So, overall a thumbs up?

[Steeveedee]

I'd say so, but you might want to wait for someone who has used belts from a later vehicle that works better(?) to chime in.

[pjmoreland]

I have the LMC three point belts in both of my trucks, and my experience using them matches Steven's. I've been using one set for about five years in my C/10, and I installed a set in my K/10 recently.

It is slightly annoying how it locks up so easily when putting it on. I've adapted to it now, so it's not a big deal, but passengers always struggle and have it lock up three or four times on them before they figure it out.

They were easy to install in the stock mounting holes. The length of the buckle strap seems just right for a bench seat. One of my trucks has buddy bucket seats, so I have to be careful not to let the buckle strap fall back behind the seat.

[loudchevy]

I put a set in my 70 with buckets and I agree with Patrick and Steve. They do lock up pretty easily, but you get use to them. I bought their "Buckle Sleeves" and that helps keep the buckle from falling to the floor or behind the bucket. The buckle side is a touch too long for a bucket seat but probably is the perfect length for a bench like Patrick mentioned.

[MikeB]

Thanks for your replies. LMC's 13% off sale is over today, and I'm not 100% sure I want to pull the trigger just to save $20-something.

Nothing really wrong with these except the outside belt always wanting to fall over the side when not in use. Had I known the OE retractors were rebuildable, I wouldn't have thrown them away many years ago.

[dave6672]

I'll throw in my two cents.....I have two sets, one of which I've had for 10 years or so. My experience mirrors PJ's, Steven's and loudchevy's pretty much dead on.

[my04]

Just installed these from LMC in my two trucks about a month ago and am pleased with them. Wished I could have gotten this 13% deal then.

[WorldsCrappiestTruck]

Same with me (echoing the above sentiments). I went with the cost savings and have learned to live with it, but the next set I buy I’ll spend the extra cash and buy a set from (cannot remember the board member who sells them) in the clamshell style release.

All in all the LMC feel a little cheap….but they indeed were cheaper.

[TKCR]

I restore the seatbelts for our trucks. And I’ll tell you my personal opinion AND what I hear most of my customers state about the “universal” aftermarket belts. They are not made for our trucks, which is why I called them universal. They were made to fit “most” applications, and we all know how that works out.
My personal experience with them, hated them. And the sole reason why I started restoring our belts about 10 years ago.
About 80% of the people I do belts for, bought the LMC belts and say they wasted their money on them because they hate them also. So then they come to me to either restore their stock belts, or build a set from my stock of belts.
So in the end, you will get what you pay for. They are cheap and that’s what you’ll get. About the only good thing I can say about them, is that they keep you legal. Which I why I had a set in my truck until I restored a set of original belts for myself.

[68 C10 Driver]

I went to Seat Belts Plus to get a set of 3-point belts that went well with my interior. They are not perfectly color matched, but I think they give a pleasant appearance. Just sitting in the cab, they seem to work well and are not overly sensitive in regards to the locking mechanism.

[Jim Boy]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

I went to Seat Belts Plus to get a set of 3-point belts that went well with my interior. They are not perfectly color matched, but I think they give a pleasant appearance. Just sitting in the cab, they seem to work well and are not overly sensitive in regards to the locking mechanism.

I like the look of them not matching. Everything the same leads to boredom I think. Yours, just right . Very nice.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

I like the look of them not matching. Everything the same leads to boredom I think. Yours, just right . Very nice.

I like the contrast, and the belts look well made.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by TKCR

So then they come to me to either restore their stock belts, or build a set from my stock of belts.

Can you post a photo of the driver's side that shows how it's mounted to the floor? And please PM me with a quote for a new set. I'm not too picky about the latch type, but the ones in my photo have worked well for 15-20 years.

Thanks.

[EagleChief]

I'm starting to think about doing this as well, so I'm glad you asked the question. I like the LMC price much better than what I've seen elsewhere. Now that I've our truck up and running, my son loves riding in it and I'd like to have the 3 point belts over the lap belt.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Can you post a photo of the driver's side that shows how it's mounted to the floor? And please PM me with a quote for a new set. I'm not too picky about the latch type, but the ones in my photo have worked well for 15-20 years.

Thanks.

Here’s a red set I did for a forum member. These are the original 2pt belts restored with new webbing. They were done to match his new seat and interior.

[TKCR]

Now these are the 73-75 2pt lap belts. He choose red with black with a red stripe webbing.
There are a lot of shades of red, so it would be best to have a small sample of the seat fabric to match. Not necessarily a perfect match, but you don’t want it to clash either.
But that being the red houndstooth, I may have a sample of that.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by Jim Boy

I like the look of them not matching. Everything the same leads to boredom I think. Yours, just right . Very nice.

Thanks Jim Boy, I appreciate the comment. I am getting used to them and everyone I show this set-up to makes the same comment.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by MikeB

I like the contrast, and the belts look well made.

Thanks MikeB!

[EagleChief]

Originally Posted by 68 C10 Driver

I went to Seat Belts Plus to get a set of 3-point belts that went well with my interior. They are not perfectly color matched, but I think they give a pleasant appearance. Just sitting in the cab, they seem to work well and are not overly sensitive in regards to the locking mechanism.

As others have said, I think they look great with the slight contrast. May I ask which set you went with? I was just looking at their page and see a bunch of different options. Their universal belts look good, but I'm wondering what the difference is between those, and the sets that are for our trucks? What length of belts did you use?

EDIT** I just ordered a bunch of samples from them to check out the colors.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Can you post a photo of the driver's side that shows how it's mounted to the floor? And please PM me with a quote for a new set. I'm not too picky about the latch type, but the ones in my photo have worked well for 15-20 years.

Thanks.

MikeB, here are those pics of the driver's side belt mount to the floor. Sorry for the delay in getting that to you. These belts use the factory mounting bolt locations.