Seatbelts too short, help!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Felton DE
Seatbelts too short, help!!!
I admit I am a little hefty, but my seatbelts in my 72 are too short. They are not hung up as I have taken the seats out to check. I guess people were just smaller then. Does anyone have any ideas of where to obtain seatbelt extenders or longer seatbelts for a 72. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
J.C. Whitney has DOT approved replacement seatbelts and seatbelt/shoulder belt combos in various lengths for around $110 a pair. They come in various colors and as long as you aren't a stickler for correctness the various types they have look like they will work pretty good in most C-3's.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
Congrats on your first post, and I must admit I did get a giggle out of it. They are in most of the catalogues but are not cheap. Re you absolutely sure that they are not somehow locked in the retainer at a point that does not allow them to fully come out. My passenger one was like this and I got it loose and unlocked.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 11
From: Schaumburg IL
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
I have the same problem or had the same problem. I sent the drivers lap belt off to Snake-Oyl in TX and had them reweb it with 6-7" of extra material. Cost with a new plastic buckel protectoer and shipping was $80.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
My Major Babe has a "Caboose" bigger than a large Gas Grill (and just as fast to warm up, I mite add....LOL) and she can still wrap herself into the belts on my Vette.....You got a prob somewhere........... :jester :jester
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,051
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From: Inside every color vette there is a blue one trying to come out!
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
If you are looking for seatbelt extenders, you should be able to go to any gm car dealership parts dept. Here in Texas, I got mine for free (Texas law requires them to offer them for free.) They probably won't have them in stock and you will probably have to take the male end to them to match it up, or take pen an paper and make a tracing of it to have them match it up...that's what I did or my 73. The extenders are about 6 to 8 inches long in length and has one male and one female connecter on either end.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Felton DE
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (Wardour74)
Then someone must have changed something because I'm 5'9" 220 and it doesn't fit and it isn't stuck. My wife if 5'8 145 and it barely fits her. I took both seats out and I am getting full belt travel. I will try the GM route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
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From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (tnt76vette)
My Major Babe has a "Caboose" bigger than a large Gas Grill (and just as fast to warm up, I mite add....LOL) and she can still wrap herself into the belts on my Vette.....You got a prob somewhere........... :jester :jester
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Seatbelts too short, help!!! (72obsession)
It's possible that a previous owner removed the belts and had some of the badly worn webbing cut off the OEM belts, and then had them re-stitched.
I've seen belts that get caught in the door latch mechanisms over time look pretty grungy and worn and suspect someone may have attempted a fix by doing what I described, would make the seat belts to 'appear' to be OK, and would probably pass any necessary safety inspection as well..........only problem is they are no longer functional.
I've seen belts that get caught in the door latch mechanisms over time look pretty grungy and worn and suspect someone may have attempted a fix by doing what I described, would make the seat belts to 'appear' to be OK, and would probably pass any necessary safety inspection as well..........only problem is they are no longer functional.
