Jig Pro Shop

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone may have a good solution for a single retractor seat belt system for my 1973 corvette.

I like how the shoulder restraint comes through the seat back over your shoulder but have been spoiled by more modern vehicles that don't require a multiple-step process to fasten your seat belt. In addition the original retractors can be stubborn at times in giving the belts up.

I was hoping for a simple bolt-in system that would require no (or very moderate alterations). Keeping the car all original is not an issue.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or help you provide.

Russell

LudemJo

I put the Eckler's single retractor belts iny 74 a few months ago. My belts do not go through the hole in the seat, just over your shoulder like more modern cars. The retractor is on the top end of the belt and the bottom, under the seat, is bolted direct to the holes where the lower retractor was.

That was actually my first project since the lower retractor was jammed. The job wasn't too difficult. Of course, while I was there I decided to vacuum the carpet and really scrub the original leather seats which now look spectacular for being nearly 40 years old.

I would highly recommend this upgrade as long as originality is not an issue. My car is "nothing matching", rather than "numbers matching". It was never intended to be anything more than a driver for me...not a collector car.

Beautiful car by the way!

Good luck, John

Jig Pro Shop

Hello John,

Thank You!

With the Eckler's system, do you know if I can separate the belt and feed it through my seat back?
Do you know if the top retractor will bolt directly to the existing mounting holes in my '73?

Thank Again!
Russell

LudemJo

On the set I bought, that would not be possible because the end of the belt is sewn to the tab you bolt to the floor, and the adjustable clip is already on the belt. There may be other options through Eckler's or one of the other companies.

My belt has a short belt that is anchored to the inside of the cabin just behind the side window. My belt couldn't go through the seat the way it is rigged in my 74. The nice thing is that I just reach over my shoulder, grab the belt and latch it. Just like in a more modern car.

John

7t2vette

Since changing out my stock seats for C5 seats, I have been researching seat belts. Since my C5 seats do not have the pass-through for the belt, I want to change to a more modern single retractor 3 point system. I have found these sites so far:

http://www.andoauto.com/

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/resebe.html

http://www.retrobeltusa.com/

https://www.gotbelts.com/

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/

http://www.seatbeltsolutions.com/index.html

So far, this is my leading choice. They let you choose color, length, shoulder mount type, and buckle length:

https://www.gotbelts.com/retractable...cts/81/view/30

Jig Pro Shop

That's a lot of great information. Obviousely you've done your homework on C3 belts.
Thank you for sharing.

Can you tell me if the sets below (although made for '78-'82 vetts) could be used as a direct bolt-on replacement (with no modifications) for the original dual retractor set of belts in my '73?

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1982.html

or:

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product/7882.html
priced a little better than Eckler's

Thanks Again,
Russell

7T1vette

I just leave the seat belt connected to the shoulder belt when I get out of the car. That way, I only have to grab the [connected] pair and 'plug' it in the seat buckle. Much easier than disconnecting them.

Jig Pro Shop

Yeah that is a great idea. I tried that for a while, but my 40 year old retractors are shot so before I bite the bullet and purchase a set of '78 - 82' seat belts and make an expensive experiment out of it I thought I would throw it out in the forum to see if anyone else has tried to install them in an earlier C3 with any success.

Can anyone tell me if the sets of seat belts below (although made for '78-'82 vetts) could be used as a direct bolt-on replacement (with no modifications) for the original dual retractor set of belts in my '73?

http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1982.html

or:

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product/7882.html
priced a little better than Eckler's

Thanks Again,
Russell

redwingvette

I replaced mine with the late model F-body belts. Had to do some looking on Ebay.
F-body seat belt install page

LudemJo

My setup from Eckler's looks just like redwingvette's pictures except instead of going through the hole in the seat (which my 74 does not have) there is a short strap attached to the upper part of the B-pillar that guides the belt from the single retractor mounted on the wheel well behind the front seat and directly over your shoulder. The lower end of the belt is bolted to the mounting holes below the seat with no retractor.

The nice thing is that when I push the seatback forward to get something in the back, the seatbelt stays out of the way, it does not move with the seatback as the one pictured would have to.

Using the slot in the seat would add some challenge to adapting a single retractor system...although if you were to find a single retractor system that was mounted under the seat that might work better, and be an easier install, from some cars.

John

tfi racing

This is the way I went,head on over to LS1tech and grab a set for about $40 or so.

7T1vette

OK....I give up. How do you get the shoulder belt on a 1-piece system through the slot in the seat back????

LudemJo

I have been trying to determine that as well. I figured the only solution to that would be to put the single retrator under the seat instead of over your shoulder...wierd, I know, but it would work for this.

John

CheezMoe

It's not that difficult. You have to dis-assemble the buckle, fold it over and wiggile it through. I bought my set from Mid-America but they are probably the same from most of the vendors.

Here is my finished product:

Jig Pro Shop

Hello dosoctaves,

Great looking car!
You have the exact look I'm trying to obtain in my '73
Can you please tell me the item number of the system you purchased from Mid-America from their site below so I can see if they'll fit in my vette.

Thanks in advance
Russell

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...1-52-7375.html

palmbeachvette76

http://www.seatbeltsplus.com/product...73-Single.html

.

Eric

CheezMoe

Thanks and certainly! It was item; 621-003 1974-77 Corvette Retractable Lap and Shoulder Belts, Car Set $249.99 Click for Color & Availability

Yep! This is basically the same as MAD set. $10 Cheaper!

Good luck!

Jig Pro Shop

Thank You!
Placed my order with Mid-America today.
I appreciate all the help and feedback.
Russell

7T1vette

I know how to get the "shoulder belt" through that slot in the seatback. I don't know how to get a one-piece [seat and shoulder belt] through that little slot....

gr8t73

Russell are you interested in selling your original belts? If so & the retractors are in good shape ( no rust ) let me know what u want for them.