Restoring my '70 roadster a little at a time and had to pick my "bearings" up off the floor after I saw the $$ for factory correct replacements!! :bb

Does anybody know where I can get functionally correct aftermarket shoulder harnesses/lap belts. Seems there are plenty of generic lap replacements out there but none with shoulder harnesses. Ijust want ot be safe, that's all.

 

Haven't done it myself but I understand that a late model F-Body rear seat belt will work although it is a bit shorter than original. Tunedport78 has a link to the conversion here; http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/tune...8/index2.shtml
Also check the Corvette FAQ for information on having your belts reconditioned. This is the link; http://www.bokonon.net/corvettefaq/


[Modified by 1979toy, 3:32 AM 10/28/2002]

 

What is an "F-Body" ?
Thanks

 

Camaro, I think. :confused:

 

Correct.

How about doing a search for Corvette Salvage or something along those lines. I have used a guy in NY with fairly decent results on salvage items. Also, have you done a search on Ebay?
Gary

 

Camaro and Firebird

 

I found this one... http://www.billygrahamscamaro.com/

Haven't ever used them but they seem like nice, family type folk :)

 

Take alook at this site for your seatbeltshttp://forums.corvetteforum.com/zeropost?cmd=reply&id=4453117

 

I replaced mine with a set of aftermarket shoulder harness that fit pretty nicely. Cost about $140 for the pair if I remember correctly and color match is very close. Send me an e-mail at rlbassinette@mindspring.com if you want the name and address of the vendor.

 

I used the Camaro belts in my '69, and it's an even easier fit in your '70 because they will bolt in to the factory anchors without modifying anything. Billy Graham's in the link above are great people to get the belts from--helpful, cheap (mine cost $48), and very quick shipping. The Camaro belts also show up on ebay from time to time, but don't go looking for the factory belts there because they always get bid up into the stratosphere.

JB

 

Make sure you get "REAR SEATBELT, SHOULDER COMBINATION" not the front belts. They will come with the orginal Camaro/Firebird triangular metal guide plate with the belt thread through it. You'll have to cut the guide plate to get the belt out. It takes about 2 minutes with a hack saw or a cutoff wheel on your Dremel tool.
As BJ said, the 70 is easy to replace because all you have to do is bolt the Camaro reel on the top of your wheel well in the 70 factory location. If your 70 already has shoulder harnesses, then it is no problem. If it doesn't them you'll have to pull the carpet up from over the wheel wells. You'll see the bolt hole with a plastic plug screwed in it, just remove the plug and bolt the Camaro/Firebird reel down.
Your current Female/Latch should work with the belt so you won't have to change that out, if you want to replace that portion with the Camaro piece you'll find it is too short to reach down through the 70 sleeves, so you can extend them by getting a piece of steel strap to extend the length. I used a piece of stainless scrap about 1-1/4" wide by 7" long and 1/8" thick. I drilled a hole at each end of the strap, bolted one end to the belt portoin of the buckle, with a short grade 8 bolt with a lock nut. Then I threaded it through the sleeve and bolted the end of the metal strap to original mounting hole with the original mounting bolt.
The end of the belt that comes from the reel, should be threaded through your seat back guide and then bolted to seat belt mounting hole under the seat.
Good luck, it is a good upgrade and the belts work fantastically. The down side is that they only seen to come in Charcoal and Beige colors.

 

I HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH SEARCHING FOR ONE FOR MY '71.

WAS NOT GONNA PAY $375 TO GET A SET OF LAP BELTS. WOUND UP

SEARCHING FOR ABOUT A YEAR..FINALLY FOUND A SET AT CARLISLE

FOR $125...NOT MANY ORIGINALS AROUND.

 

Hi vett70,
I replaced the seat belts in my 77 with a set from Andover Auto, they specialize in seat belts. In fact I was so impressed with the fit and function that I did a product review on this forum under seatbelts. Their address is andoauto.com, this is the correct address, the one in my review I think is wrong. The only thing that I could not use was the stock retractor cover behind the seats, but not to worry, the andover retractors have their own covers and can hardly be seen anyway. And as a bonus there is no buckle dangling on the sill plate. Also the recievers will fit right into your stock sleeves. I believe the price is less than $70.00 a pair. Check it out. :D

 

Sorry, make that product review catagory, Interior accessories, and then pick Andover seatbelt replacement.

 

I'll concur on the Camaro belts. REAR belts out of a Camaro/Firebird from 1993 or newer bolt right into your '70 and work great. :yesnod:

 

Thanks for all the help guys!!
-Bill