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One Piece Shoulder Seat Belts for 72 RR

JedIEG

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Has anyone upgraded their 3 point two piece shoulder belt in a 71-72 car to the single piece style like used in 74 & up? My original two piece belts are ok, but the passenger side shoulder belt connector doesn't hold the belt to the buckle tightly. My wife doesn't feel safe with that so it needs to go ASAP. Also I like the modern 3 point belt design better and the two piece thing so I have been considering this anyway.

I have been looking at these www.seatbeltsplus.com or the sets listed specifically for 71-74 B & E bodies.

Is anyone using these? Other options? Anyone have pictures of them mounted in a 71-72? I know the 74's have retractors hidden behind the rear trim panel so I'm not sure how exactly I would work it on a 72.

I would also like to add 3 point belts to at least the outside rear seats as well if anyone has an example of that.
 
I used Andover restraints to add rear shoulder to my charger and fury. Haven't done to my 72 RR yet
 
Andover looks promising. What configuration did you do to mount the retractor? I would like to have them hidden.
 
I've only done rears. I welded the brackets to the cross bracing in the trunk. My 2 had slots in the package tray already for the belts
 
I tried to fit the Andover/XV (don't remember which now) belts in my '74 years ago. I quickly learned it was not a bolt in and done affair and kept the OEM belts (which suck). The problem I had was that there is insufficient room at the bottom mounting point and the access cover would no longer fit. 74 has access cover and I think 73-down the panel is one piece. Sold the Andovers/XV (at a loss) shortly thereafter. I had another set of '74 belts that were busted, so I took the longest strap with buckle and made a "cheater" shoulder strap belt to use when the finicky (to put it nicely) ratchet systems locks up.
 
Been looking at the xv products, I really hate my two piece belts the shoulder belt with that Buckle is heavy and uncomfortable, I was wondering if anybody use them in a 68 to 70. Mine is 70 gtx.
How was installation and fit?
 
You could get a compete package for a 1974 car.

That would include the lower rear "door" panels as well as the belts and retractor.
 
I tried to fit the Andover/XV (don't remember which now) belts in my '74 years ago. I quickly learned it was not a bolt in and done affair and kept the OEM belts (which suck). The problem I had was that there is insufficient room at the bottom mounting point and the access cover would no longer fit. 74 has access cover and I think 73-down the panel is one piece. Sold the Andovers/XV (at a loss) shortly thereafter. I had another set of '74 belts that were busted, so I took the longest strap with buckle and made a "cheater" shoulder strap belt to use when the finicky (to put it nicely) ratchet systems locks up.
So you're talking about something specific for 74? I've been meaning to order front shoulder belts for my cars for years. I've protected the kids in back by not myself...
 
So you're talking about something specific for 74? I've been meaning to order front shoulder belts for my cars for years. I've protected the kids in back by not myself...
Technically, yes. The rear interior panels are different n 74 as there is an access panel. However, overall, it's the same space regardless of the panel and or year. All I am saying is that the ratchet mechanism that I had was bigger and I could not reinstall my interior panel. This is what I recall, as this happened 15+ years ago.
My advice, FWIW, get dimensions and measure /compare to what in there now.
The proposed parts that I had were much better but useless in the end and I lost my gamble. Trying to prevent you (and others) from making the same mistake.
 
Ya know what. I got a case of dumbassness... The earlier (73-down) iirc the ratchet for the lap belt is bolted to the floor and is self contained. Sorry about that.
 
Ya know what. I got a case of dumbassness... The earlier (73-down) iirc the ratchet for the lap belt is bolted to the floor and is self contained. Sorry about that.
That's where I was scratching my head - I just bolt it to the floor and to the roof where the OEM ones are for my 68. :thumbsup:
 
You could get a compete package for a 1974 car.

That would include the lower rear "door" panels as well as the belts and retractor.


There is a problem with that, and is just 74s got the right provisions for them. Will need to modify sheet metal to fit them on 71/73

Shoulder belt retractor requires to make a recession on quarter interior sheetmetal panel... and relocate the roof beam nut insert
 
IMHO the factory 74 parts are not a reliable restraint system. I find myself constantly fighting the retractors to get sufficient belt length. Even worse if you have a passenger along who doesn't understand the nuances of the system. That's why I added a separate shoulder strap.

I am aware that there are/were (Snakeskin maybe?) that rebuilds systems, and I remember inquiring with them about it and they were not interested.

I base my statements on the 74 car that I have now, and another 74 that had a busted system that I scavenged to make my shoulder straps. The straps I made go over the shoulder and buckle and then slide a piece to take up the slack. It's more of an appearance ruse for LEO looking for seatbelt compliance.
 
Yeap, is true 74 system with dual retractor gets easy to lock the shoulder retractor while fastening and can be sometimes a headache. When you are use to them it becomes fairly easy, but any other user which doesn't know it will fight with it LOL.

It is posible to use an aftermarket setup for 74s just like modern cars as far the stock female buckle accepts the aftermarket male end. This is if you wanna keep the warning/interlock system running, which needs the female end sensor.

Use aftermarket 3 points systems on 71/73 with just one retractor for shoulder attaching on the floor single point and sliding male end is posible but, still will need to modify the roof bolt provision... and will loose the seatbelt warning system for 72/73 since these get the seatbelt sensor on retractor. Will need to unplug the seatbelt relay.
 
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I ended up getting these 3 point belts. They fit fairly well and are the right length to work with the factory mounting locations. The male end of buckle is a bit larger than stock so you can't just keep the factory female end. I did end up using the factory sleeve.
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