My drivers side lap belt and retractor is shot because of water exposure over the years. A very reputable company called Ssnake-Oyl Products can restore it to like new condition as follows:

"Aftermarket" retractor for lap belt: $75.00 (supposedly fits as original)
Re-web lap belt only: $45.00
Re-web shoulder belt: $60.00 (using original retractor)
Re-chrome tongue piece: $10.00 (might show minor pitting)
Re-sew original spec. label: $10.00
Sew on new "Important" label: $10.00

So my question gets down to this: are there other GM models that use the same retractor as the lap belt in my 75? In the interest of safety I could see spending the $75 for a new one, but perhaps there are tons of these at the local salvage yard waiting for me at a cheap price? The replacement webbing is an exact pattern and color match, but obviously the new material looks better then the (old) original material. I might not do the shoulder belt portion because maybe it will look OK. What do you guys think, any other suggestions? To do the whole thing as described above seems a little pricey, but maybe it's not. This must be a fairly common problem, just because of the way this retractor mounts, kind of under the floor, and trapping water. I would appreciate hearing from any of you that have had a similar problem. :D

 

You can replace the whole set with one from a Camaro...

Look on corvettefaq.com for a link to a post I made with pictures...

 

Goofygrin, thanks for your reply and the great post in the FAQ pages. I have a couple questions:

1. It appears by the "Billy Graham Kit" pictures these belts were for the rear seat?

2. It appears there is an adjustable buckle at the tonge connection, how did you get the shoulder belt to connect there, with the lap belt?

3. Aren't the retractors used with the adjustable buckles made to be fully unrolled to get the adjustment made for proper fit? :confused:

 

TTT :D

 

Yes. The fronts of the Camaro's retractors are vertical rather than horizontal and won't work. The rears do...

The tongue moves on the belt, like on a modern seatbelt.
Not sure what you mean here.

The buckle is fixed (as it is now).

The retractor is behind the seat on the wheel well and the connection under the seat is fixed. The tongue portion slides on the belt for fitment purposes. (just like the seats in your modern vehicles).

 

3. Aren't the retractors used with the adjustable buckles made to be fully unrolled to get the adjustment made for proper fit?

What I meant by this is perhaps the retractor has no internal lockup feature, the belt needs to be completely pulled out of the retractor until it stops, then the buckle adjusted for fit? I am so confused, my Suburban (94) has a very similar setup as the Vette, 2 retractors and a fixed tongue (not adjustable) and both retractors provide for the adjustment and lockup feature. The rear seat belts have no retractors and the buckle slides for fit.

I'm wondering also if I'm still not just as well off having mine restored as my original post, no modifications or retro-fitting will be required.?

 

You are making it too hard on yourself...

Do whatever you feel more comfortable with.

For me to adjust the belt, I just grab the tongue and move it on the belt until its comfortable... then click it.

:steering:

 

Help me out- what is "TTT"?

 

To The Top. People use it to bring their posts back to the top, usually when they still have questions...

As for the questions about the Camero belts, I'm not sure if you understand that going this route is a conversion. You do not reuse any of the parts. The Camero belts have the slip adjust buckle with just a rear retractor. The lap belt is fixed, with no retractor. You will need to do some kind of modification or disassembly if you want to retain the stock loop for the shoulder mount. I haven't found anyone who has done that yet, but that is what I would like to do with the set I have.

 

Dath, I think I now have the Camaro belt conversion figured out. Because I really only have a problem with one retractor, I don't see a lot of advantage to modifying something else to work, might as well just repair mine. Sure wish I knew if there was an interchange on that lap belt retractor though.

 

TTT one last time, amazing how fast these posts leave the first page. Still interested in a comparable interchange on the lap belt retractor from other GM cars? I do appreciate all of you who have looked and helped so far.


[Modified by Big Fish, 8:25 PM 6/18/2003]