74 vert

I finally finished my seatbelt project Sunday. :party: Just a few things left with the rest of the interior to finish.


Thanks to all of those who posted information to accomplish this, etc. :hurray: :hurray:

zwede

So how did you finally get the buckle through the seatback?

Looking good! :cool:

GrandSportC3

:cool: :cool: :thumbs:

pra4sun

Looks great!

How DID you get it through the seat?

Todbo

yes , tell us ! :cheers:

74 vert

I cut the metal piece off off the end of the strap, popped of the plastic buckel cover and pulled the belt out. I then mounted the retractor to the original location on the rear well, routed the strap thru the seatback, ran the buckle onto the belt, and then snapped the plastic cover onto the buckle. I then bolted a marine quick disconnet to the floor under the seat and attached the the belt end to it.

Alternatively, I could have used a vise the spead the metal buckle to remove the metal bar from it, thus saving the original piece from the end of the buckle. I don't have a vise, so I went with the marine quick disconnect method. Besides I'm sure I'll want to take it apart someday again and don't want to have to bend the buckle with a vise just to remove the belt system. But I suppose one could alway remove the retractor just to remove the seat from the car. One would definitely need to bend the buckle to recover seats if they keep the original end piece.





[Modified by 74 vert, 5:42 PM 8/5/2003]

74 vert

Tested the belts yesterday. I hit the brakes hard and the retractor locked. :hurray:

JameyZ28

Any pics or info on how you mounted the retractor assembly. I have a set of Camaro belts waiting to be installed, but haven't figured out how I want to mount that main piece yet.

74 vert

I used the Firebird retractor bolts, the treads matched up. I used pliers to bend the small pointed metal piece flat on the bottom of the retractor near the front.


[Modified by 74 vert, 8:00 PM 8/12/2003]

RMVette

:thumbs:

74 vert

I searched three local savage yards until I found these, $50.00.

pra4sun

One word of warning on this install:

Dave (NHVette) pointed out to me that the metal reinforcements were gone (maybe never there or rotted away) from the inside fenderwells. I just assumed there was nothing supposed to be there (I feel stupid) and that the whole area was strong enough to hold the seatbelt assembly. If I actually needed the seatbelt to hold me down, the large washer would probably just break through the fiberglass.

I will be taking a trip to Home Depot for some metal reinforcements.

Thanks Dave! :seeya