Seatbelt Recommendations.

[Lunchbox82]

I'm looking for some new seatbelts. The stock ones are worn out and I'd like to get my son in the truck at some point. I recently bought a set from Retrobealts, but they don't fit well and the retractor is weak. I spoke with them and they gave me a full refund and let me keep the belts. So I'm back to square one.
What have you guys used and liked?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Lunchbox82

I'm looking for some new seatbelts. The stock ones are worn out and I'd like to get my son in the truck at some point. I recently bought a set from Retrobealts, but they don't fit well and the retractor is weak. I spoke with them and they gave me a full refund and let me keep the belts. So I'm back to square one.
What have you guys used and liked?

I can restore your original set. Check out the thread on restoring the belts. There’s a link at the bottom on my Signature.
I have a thread here on the forum and a FB page.

[Jeepwm69]

Geeze this isn't even a question. TKCR does awesome work on seatbelts.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Geeze this isn't even a question. TKCR does awesome work on seatbelts.

Thank you

[Bloodhound]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Geeze this isn't even a question. TKCR does awesome work on seatbelts.

Agreed!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Agreed!

Thank you

[72malibu]

What are the options for 3-point seatbelts for bucket seats?

I'm restoring my dad's 75 Gentleman Jim. The factory buckets are gone and we are installing Recaro buckets (electric and heated!) and the factory console.

We have the original lap belts but I want to install 3-point.

We have a set of 3-point from a 78 but that was a bench truck.

Thanks for any advice!

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 72malibu

What are the options for 3-point seatbelts for bucket seats?

I'm restoring my dad's 75 Gentleman Jim. The factory buckets are gone and we are installing Recaro buckets (electric and heated!) and the factory console.

We have the original lap belts but I want to install 3-point.

We have a set of 3-point from a 78 but that was a bench truck.

Thanks for any advice!

Belts are the same wether they are for a bench or buckets. Just delete the center lap, since they are buckets and you won’t need the center.

[72malibu]

So it's possible I could use the 78 belts (and perhaps have you restore them for me)?

The console has the slots to hold the buckles, instead of cupholders. Would the 78 buckles fit those (not sure if they are the same), or maybe do a hybrid of 75 and 78 parts?

The 78 belts are the wrong color.

Unfortunately, all this stuff is at my dad's, so I can't post pics right now.

I'm dropping the seats and dash pad off to get dyed (74 dark saddle was the factory color) next weekend.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 72malibu

So it's possible I could use the 78 belts (and perhaps have you restore them for me)?

The console has the slots to hold the buckles, instead of cupholders. Would the 78 buckles fit those (not sure if they are the same), or maybe do a hybrid of 75 and 78 parts?

The 78 belts are the wrong color.

Unfortunately, all this stuff is at my dad's, so I can't post pics right now.

I'm dropping the seats and dash pad off to get dyed (74 dark saddle was the factory color) next weekend.

The buckles are not the same. The buckles for the 73-75, which are 2pts, look like pic #1
78 and up look like these, in pc #2-3, which are 3 points. The buckles are either Plastic or Metal.
I know people have used the 3 points in the earlier trucks, but I can not confirm the fit as far as mounting to the cab floor. The hole sits back further on the 73-76, that’s why they have the retractor shape that they do. Not sure if these people had to modify something to make them fit.

[kennyw]

I would use the 3 point belt from a 76-77. The lower retractor uses the same mounting point, you just need to add a retractor to the back of the door post. The mounting point for the upper clevis was pre-installed in all squarebody truck cabs.

[kennyw]

Yellow cab is my 74 C20, green cab is my 77 C10. The upper retractor mounts to the hole above the door striker. That area is different on the earlier cab so it will require modification.

[72malibu]

Interesting. I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Like this

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 72malibu

Interesting. I did not know that. Thanks for the info.

Like this

Correct. That is the 76/77 belt. But it would need the hole in the jamb by the striker. I never really recommend this belt because of the hole in the door jamb. Most people are not going to drill a hole in the jamb. I know I wouldn’t, lol.

[kennyw]

There is also the recessed area around the bolt hole on the 76/77. That is probably for clearance of the bolt head from the door as well as getting things squared up for the inner mounting surface. It would probably be best to graft that section of sheetmetal in for those seatbelts vs just drilling the hole.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by kennyw

There is also the recessed area around the bolt hole on the 76/77. That is probably for clearance of the bolt head from the door as well as getting things squared up for the inner mounting surface. It would probably be best to graft that section of sheetmetal in for those seatbelts vs just drilling the hole.

You’re right, I never noticed that before. I just always knew there was hole there for the bolt, but never noticed the recessed area.

[kennyw]

I just went out and confirmed the floor on my dad's 78 is different at the seatbelt mounting bolt than my 74 C20 and 77 C10, both 1" farther forward and the sheetmetal is lower. So factory 3-point belts will not fit without some modification of 1973-75 cabs.

[72malibu]

Isn't the split 73-75 // 76-77 // 78-up?

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 72malibu

Isn't the split 73-75 // 76-77 // 78-up?

That is the split. But I have seen some 77’s with the 78 and up standard 3pt belts. So it’s actually going to be the actual build date on the truck.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by kennyw

I just went out and confirmed the floor on my dad's 78 is different at the seatbelt mounting bolt than my 74 C20 and 77 C10, both 1" farther forward and the sheetmetal is lower. So factory 3-point belts will not fit without some modification of 1973-75 cabs.

Thank you for confirming that. That is something I have been wanting for my own knowledge, but I don’t have access to trucks that age to ever “test fit” for the difference of the cabs and belts.
Some people have said the 3pts work, but never elaborated on whether there was any modifications made.
I’ve seen trucks with the aftermarket belts, but that’s a whole other subject, lol.
Of course, I am not a fan of aftermarket belts at all. Silliest looking things that they are.

[smupser]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Thank you for confirming that. That is something I have been wanting for my own knowledge, but I don’t have access to trucks that age to ever “test fit” for the difference of the cabs and belts.
Some people have said the 3pts work, but never elaborated on whether there was any modifications made.
I’ve seen trucks with the aftermarket belts, but that’s a whole other subject, lol.
Of course, I am not a fan of aftermarket belts at all. Silliest looking things that they are.

Ken is a squarebody guru

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by smupser

Ken is a squarebody guru

Yep, Kenny has helped me a lot of info in the past.

[kennyw]

Originally Posted by smupser

Ken is a squarebody guru

I'm great at technical details, but cannot remember that guys name that I've worked with for 10 years.

[smupser]

Originally Posted by kennyw

I'm great at technical details, but cannot remember that guys name that I've worked with for 10 years.

You’re in good company then