Aftermarket seat belt installation???

[wwotr]

Going to install some aftermarket Seat Belts next week in my 72 GMC.

Some questions I had was:
If the aftermarket Belts bolt directly into the OEM Hole/Thread,
then why is there a need for a "Reinforcement Plate"?

Do the OEM Belt Mounting locations already come with a,
"Reinforcement Plate" from the Factory?

I only ask these questions, because my Truck is so low,
it's going to be difficult to get UNDER the Truck to install them.

On top of that, I only have an old Floor Jack (and no Jack Stands).
So I was just wondering if the OEM Belts came without that plate, and the new aftermarkets install directly, is there really a need for that Reinforcement Plate I bought?

[wzuke]

If you use the oem hole and bolt I do not think you need additional reinforcing. On my 71 there is a nut that would have to be removed to even use a plate.

[wwotr]

We'll have to see.
I bought 2 extra Plates and (2) "L" Brackets.
Not sure if I'll need em' but wanted to be prepared.

[mikemileski]

If you're getting aftermarket belts with a retractor, then there may not be enough room for the retractor if you still have the stock, behind-the-seat, gas tank. If you've moved your tank, then it's not a problem. If you're just using a belt with no retractor, then the stock location if fine as is, no extra reinforcement needed.

Mike Mileski
Tucson, AZ

[Sinister]

On my 3 point belts I had to take a dremel to the mounts to open them up a bit to use the factory bolts.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by mikemileski

If you're getting aftermarket belts with a retractor, then there may not be enough room for the retractor if you still have the stock, behind-the-seat, gas tank. If you've moved your tank, then it's not a problem. If you're just using a belt with no retractor, then the stock location if fine as is, no extra reinforcement needed.

Mike Mileski
Tucson, AZ

Unfortunatley, the Gas Tank IS behind the seat and I AM using Rectractable seat Belts.

[Sinister]

Mine are retractable with the tank behind the seat, you might be alright.

[extd56]

I have used those belts before with the gas tank in place, you will need to use the L brackets to mount them in your truck.

[red71c10]

Originally Posted by wwotr

Going to install some aftermarket Seat Belts next week in my 72 GMC.

Some questions I had was:
If the aftermarket Belts bolt directly into the OEM Hole/Thread,
then why is there a need for a "Reinforcement Plate"?

Do the OEM Belt Mounting locations already come with a,
"Reinforcement Plate" from the Factory?

I only ask these questions, because my Truck is so low,
it's going to be difficult to get UNDER the Truck to install them.

On top of that, I only have an old Floor Jack (and no Jack Stands).
So I was just wondering if the OEM Belts came without that plate, and the new aftermarkets install directly, is there really a need for that Reinforcement Plate I bought?

Some if not most of these kits are generic. The reinforcement plate would be used if the car or truck were so old that it did not come with factory belts and mounts. Holes would need to be drilled and then the plates would be used for reinforcement.

[Classic Heartbeat]

We sell a set (L/R) that comes with all of the necessary brackets for instalation. WES

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by extd56

I have used those belts before with the gas tank in place, you will need to use the L brackets to mount them in your truck.

Extd56...PM sent!

[extd56]

Here are some pictures of the seat belts with the L bracket attached. You can swivel the bracket to mount the retracter at any angle that you want.

[wwotr]

Thanks Extd56!!!

So after this Company Debiting my account the VERY NEXT DAY, then telling me that the Seat Belts will ship approx 10 Days AFTER that...I WAS PISSED.

FINALLY ..got the Belts today!

SO WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE!!!!!?????

[extd56]

Those seat belts are for a bucket seat setup, Will be short for a bench seat.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by extd56

Those seat belts are for a bucket seat setup, Will be short for a bench seat.

Thats what I have are, Leather Bucket Seats by the same Company.
I ordered them in October while my Truck was in the Body Shop.
When I FINALLY got the Truck back and pulled out the old Bench seat, I noticed some Surface Rust. So I POR-15 the Floorboard and then ordered the Seat Belts so I could put them in BEFORE the new seats. Well it too them like 12 days to get them to me, (finally arriving TODAY) and one of the Belts is BLACK in color (not gray).
I sent off an e-mail asking them to "Overnight" a replacement and issue an RMA, because I sure as Hell wasn't going to pay return postage for their piss-poor quality control.
So now the wait is on....AGAIN!

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by extd56

Here are some pictures of the seat belts with the L bracket attached. You can swivel the bracket to mount the retracter at any angle that you want.

And the Retracting half gets mounted on the "Door Side" correct?

[extd56]

Yes

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by extd56

Here are some pictures of the seat belts with the L bracket attached. You can swivel the bracket to mount the retracter at any angle that you want.

Ext,
Enclosed is a picture of the Bolt, (I call it a "Shoulder Bolt"), that I took out for the "Lap" postion of my seat Belt. The existing hole in the new seat belts is too small for the shoulder portion to fit through. I do not have a vice or a Drill bit, big enough to drill out that Hole. Is it possible to buy an Aircraft Quality Bolt (Grade 6 or above), that is the same Thread size,
(without a shoulder) to replace this Bolt with?

I've decided also to not go with the reinforcement plates at this time also.


LMK.... and THANKS!

[Sinister]

Originally Posted by Sinister

On my 3 point belts I had to take a dremel to the mounts to open them up a bit to use the factory bolts.

See Above. Should be able to get a Grade 8 bolt without the shoulder at a hardware store.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by Sinister

See Above. Should be able to get a Grade 8 bolt without the shoulder at a hardware store.

Thanks Sinister.
I have a Garage, a Truck, and a Socket Set.
Thats the extent of my tools.

Now just to be sure, how many "Hash Marks" should be on the Grade 8 Bolt?
I ask because I forgot how to tell and I know the guys at my Local Hardware Store, sure as Hell wont know!

[Sinister]

Google says 6 Hashmarks for Grade 8.

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by Sinister

Google says 6 Hashmarks for Grade 8.

Thats what I thought.
I knew it had something to do with the Grade being 2 ABOVE the number of Hash Marks on the Bolt Head.
Just been a long time since Junior College.

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by wwotr

Thats what I thought.
I knew it had something to do with the Grade being 2 ABOVE the number of Hash Marks on the Bolt Head.
Just been a long time since Junior College.

just remember that not all grades of bolts are marked like this

[wwotr]

Originally Posted by wwotr

And the Retracting half gets mounted on the "Door Side" correct?

OK I FINALLY am getting to installing the Seat Belts today.

It looks as though I will need (4) "L" Brackets (only ordered 2) for this installation.
Attached is a pic of the Drivers side (right side of the seat) Buckle.
The way the OEM Mounting hole is placed, there is NO WAY for this Belt to mount , WITHOUT using an "L" Bracket!
I'm looking for some confirmation on this.

My 2nd problen (another pic attached) is how the He** do you get the Plastic sheath off of the retracting side, to get to the Nut!!??
I see no plug whatsoever, and it is not bolted in from the bottom end underneath the floorboard!!


UHG! Why cant anything be simple!!!?

[mbgmike]

My 2nd problen (another pic attached) is how the He** do you get the Plastic sheath off of the retracting side, to get to the Nut!!??
I see no plug whatsoever, and it is not bolted in from the bottom end underneath the floorboard!!

Its amazing how something so simple gets so hard. i think they were easier when new. They get hard I think and make it next to impossible to remove without damage.
They are truly a pain. If you had a wifes hair dryer it can soften them some.