Seatbelt install (pics)

[qkcuda]

Well, I finally received my new retractable seatbelts and had a chance to get them installed this weekend.  I found a couple of minor issues but I like the way it turned out.  I bolted the retractor into the stock belt hole on the door side.  The receiver bolted to the driveshaft tunnel and the shoulder harness guide bolted into the stock roof mount.  I did change the bolts around.  The short one is for the roof.  The middle one from the door side I used on the tunnel since it changes from a double belt to a single.  The long bolt I moved from the tunnel to the door since both the retractor and the belt anchor use the same bolt.

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[qkcuda]

The other issue is the size of the retractor.  I used 1 inch spacers under my seat frames because I always felt the seats were too low.  I tried to install the seats without them and the seatback latch hit the retractor.  I put the spacers back in and the clearance was OK.  Note how close it is in the picture.  Finally there is a pic of the finished interior.  If I wanted to drill a new hole below the rear door panel for the retractor it wouldn't have been an issue.  The biggest PITA all day was installing the new console carpet.  Thank God for duct tape.  I have lots more pics if anyone has any questions.

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[Capt Jack]

those were the Wesco's you were talking about not long ago, right?  they look darn near perfect fit other than a few minor clearance tweaks.


yeah, I think that might be the way for me to go.

[qkcuda]

Those are the belts from Wesco at $69.95 per seat.  I am very happy with the quality and the fit.  I may end up drilling another hole for the retractor, just because I am fussy, and I can never leave anything alone.

[Capt Jack]

ordered.  thx bro


edit:  and received.  damn these are gonna be perfect!  thx again for the tip

[71Swinger]

That is too cool   I would like to do the same thing, I hate having two belts, so I never use the shoulder belt.

What is the web site for those?

Don

[Capt Jack]

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/resebe.html
the 3 point (Item # WELR) are the ones I just got.  half again cheaper than the others Ive looked at and from looking at them, a very nice replacement belt.  I'll be installing those this weekend.

I feel safer already   

[thebankerstoy]

Hi Dave,

Those seat belts look strangely familiar.    I totally agree with you in the fact that they are a MUCH better design than the factory original two piece belts.  I'm glad that the install went well for you, as it was an easy install on my son's 72 Dart also and they are still working very well after a years worth of use on them. 

Richard

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[qkcuda]

Richard, looks like you wouldn't have the same clearance issues for the retractor with the bench seats.

[thebankerstoy]

Hi Dave,

Your correct on the retractor clearance with the bench seat. I did have to remove the black plastic seat belt separater on the front bench though, as it would not fit with the new belts, but that was the only issue that I had with the new belts.

Richard

[71Swinger]

   That rocks, I am going to look into this.

Don

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[Capt Jack]

bolted mine in this morning in a matter of minutes.  fit dead on and look/work fantastic.  clears everything by a mile unless I have the seat so far back that I cant reach the pedals.

couldn't have asked for more.

            

[1DART440]

Hey guys, what is the part number or model number of those those belts? I got to get a set ASAP. The double buckle up thing was a little too much.
How thick is that retractor assembly?

[Capt Jack]

http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/resebe.html  the ones I got are Item # WELR

I think the retractor piece was about 3.5"x3.5" square and about 2" thick.  I didnt get the mounting hardware.  didnt need it

[1DART440]

 

[qkcuda]

I am going to be changing my install slightly.  I will be mounting the retractor to the floor with an angle bracket, so that it is directly underneath the roof belt guide.  I will feel better that it pulls straight up from the retractor.  I will post some more pics when I finish.

[1DART440]

I am going to check my car tonight. I'm sure there was room behind the front seat for the retractor but, I better check first.  Thanks again.

[diesel2005]

Thanks for the pics!!!  I called this morning and ordered mine. Told him about your pics and this site. He should at least send you a thank you letter.

[qkcuda]

I finally finished my rework of the seat belt install.  I bought some heavy duty angle brackets at the hardware store, (3/16 thick) and cut them to size.  I mounted them to the floor and used the other portion to make a plate on the bottom of the floor.  I reused the old covers from the roof mounts for the belt ends.

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[Capt Jack]

well done.  gotta say Im lovin my new belts.  those two piece ones were such a PITA to use.  these fit so well you'd have thought they'd come that way from the mill.

[qkcuda]

Here are the finished pics.  I am much happier that the belts pull straight up from the retractor.  If I had it to do over again, I would have removed the carpet, bolted the angle brackets in , and then just slit the carpet for them to stick through, and bolted the retractors on.  I told you I was fussy.

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[Capt Jack]

dang it.  I do like the way those lay better.

aw crap.   

(j/k, but I may indeed move mine likewise)

[1DART440]

  for the pics, qkcuda! I'm doing mine your way.

[swingin72]

I know they claim that these belts meet safety regulations, but what about the hardware? And the mounting points? I have a hard time buying seatbelts based on looks. But then again, probably not any worse than what I have now...

You think that "L" angle bracket compromises safety at all?

[qkcuda]

The belts have the safety tags sewn on.  Amazingly they are made in the USA.  The material is exactly the same as my new car.  They sell an angle bracket kit for use with their belts, but I didn't think I would need it when I ordered them.  I think the kit was only about $10.00.  The bracket I ended up using is 3/16 inch thick, which appears to be quite a bit thicker than the one they sell, and certainly won't be the weak link in the system.  I also used 1/2 inch grade 5 fine thread bolts, although they only recommend 7/16, and I used the same 3/16 material for under floor supports although they use flat washers.  The remainder of the mounting points are factory with factory bolts.  I feel a lot more comfortable, and a lot safer, than I did with 37 year old factory pieces.

[swingin72]

Fair enough. I see your point. I'd be a lot safer I'm sure... I only have lap belts in my car.

Were all '72 Darts made with a roof mounting point? I don't have the original belts in my car and I'm thinking maybe I should go with this system since ANY 3 point belt would be better than my current lapbelt.

How would I find that mounting point without destroying the headliner? Can you give me a description of this mounting point? Is it like a nut welded to the roof sheetmetal?

Thanks!

[qkcuda]

Yes the upper mounting point is welded to the roof structure.  On my car it is right above the edge of the rear window.  I guess you will just have to feel around for it and then poke a hole for the bolt.

[thebankerstoy]

Sorry to jump in here GK, but since I kind of started this aftermarket 3 point seat belt install awhile ago, let me see if I can help out here. I have included two pictures of my sons 72 Dart Swinger with these same style belts and the upper factory shoulder belt mounting location, which is just in front of the coat hanger hooks and about 3.5 to 4" back from the split between the door glass and the quarter glass windows. I am pretty sure that by 1972, all of the various cars had the welded in nut to accept shoulder belts if they were ordered or not. Does your car have the soft headliner with bows, or do you have the one piece "hard board: headliner like we have? Either way, if you run your fingers over the headliner in the area I mentioned above, you should be able to feel the mounting nut.

Richard

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[swingin72]

Thanks for the info... I'll do some feeling when I get home    I've got a soft headliner so I should be able to feel through it. It's really interesting to use the roof as a mounting point. I guess there's no pillar for an alternative.

[69 GTS Clonvertible]

Damn, those retractible belts look good! I bought my lap belts from wesco but never realized that I could make a retractible set-up work for my VERT.