Newbie seatbelt question

[Juan Cano]

Just got an 1986 c10 Silverado. It has 2 shoulder seatbelts, a little beat up but original, they seem to work (I don't know, haven't crashed).

Are the new replacement seatbelts better? And by that I mean safer? Like the ones sold by Ecklers or LMC or CJ Pony.

Or are they pretty much the same and should just stick with the old ones.

Thanks

 

[Scott91370]

Being 35 years newer I would venture to say they'll be slightly better in terms of wear/tear but doubt they will be much different as far as tensioning ability.

I will say the new ones do not come with the covers at the base and don't know if the OE covers will fit the new ones.

 

[Juan Cano]

Thank you. I think I will test these better, maybe drive and brake suddenly. The webbing appears in good shape. I have read that some of the replacements don't fit inside the covers at the base and I think that would drive me nuts. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Craig 85]

I put replacements in my prior truck ('79 K15) as the originals were thrashed. The fit is a little tight at the base of the seat and the door. Main difference from OEM is there is only one retractor where as the OEM had two. The belts worked fine.

For my '85 I'm going to have the OEM ones re-webbed as mine are charcoal and no one offers that color. It's more, but will look correct when done.

 

[Jawzjeep]

I put replacements in my prior truck ('79 K15) as the originals were thrashed. The fit is a little tight at the base of the seat and the door. Main difference from OEM is there is only one retractor where as the OEM had two. The belts worked fine.

For my '85 I'm going to have the OEM ones re-webbed as mine are charcoal and no one offers that color. It's more, but will look correct when done.

Ive dyed fabric in the past, it might be an option for the cloth part of the belt?

 

[FireTruck1984]

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Being 35 years newer I would venture to say they'll be slightly better in terms of wear/tear but doubt they will be much different as far as tensioning ability.

I will say the new ones do not come with the covers at the base and don't know if the OE covers will fit the new ones.

The better vendors seatbelts have covers on their retractors..
I’ve bought sets from Seatbelts plus and CJ pony parts that are high quality and have covers. Typically you have to color match the covers to your interior.
Color Bond Works great

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[WFO]

I'd give you my unused seatbelts, but I've got to have something to hook a thumb under and pull across my chest, so it looks good when a Cop is passing by.

 

[Craig 85]

Ive dyed fabric in the past, it might be an option for the cloth part of the belt?

That would be an option it they weren't 35 years old. I know before I bought my truck it sat for at least 10 years in Central California baking in the sun.

 

[Jawzjeep]

That would be an option it they weren't 35 years old. I know before I bought my truck it sat for at least 10 years in Central California baking in the sun.

Ah so the fabric is done then? Yeah that changes things.

 

[Jeff Lewis]

LMC's work fine but the plastic cover has to be modified to fit over them. The original belts have two coiled springs, new only one. I took a hot knife and cut the plastic covers to fit. It is nice to have new clean belts, and the plastic cover can be cleaned and resprayed with the interrior paint LMC carrys. The new belts would look pretty ****** without the covers.

 

[dsteelejr]

I replaced the original 41 year old seat belts in my ‘80 K25 with new ones from LMC and they work great. They lock up easier than the stock belts. They also feel great. The original belts were stiff, like an overly starched shirt. The new material is soft and pliable. Feels like seatbelts in a newer car. Much more comfortable, which makes my square much enjoyable. IMHO replace the belts. The juice is worth the squeeze.

 

[Scott91370]

LMC's work fine but the plastic cover has to be modified to fit over them... The new belts would look pretty ****** without the covers.

I was hoping someone had done this. I am in the process of doing my interior and have new LMC belts that, of course, didn't come with covers and really hoped they'd fit.

 

[Raider L]

@Juan Cano,

Many years ago my belts were old, dirty, and stiff to. Not knowing anything about getting new belts I decided to take my old one's out and get a tub of hot soapy water and a scrub brush and just give them a good scrubbing. Once dried I couldn't believe it. They came back supple, clean like new, and stayed that way until the next time they needed cleaning. The nylon will dry rot over time, that's true but if kept clean the fibers will hold their properties for many, many years. In aircraft I don't even know when the replacement time is for belts. Maybe if they became cut or frayed enough to be unsafe? That wouldn't be for very long time.

Take yours out of your truck and wash them. Hot water, maybe some Dawn dish washing liquid for it's dirt removal ability seemingly better than some other liquid soaps. That's what I used. Hey, if it's good enough for baby ducks it ought to be good enough for seat belts. Rinse them well! Hang them up in the sun and it won't take long for them to dry now that's it's warm weather, and I'll bet you'll be surprised at how nice they come back.

 

[Juan Cano]

@Juan Cano,

Many years ago my belts were old, dirty, and stiff to. Not knowing anything about getting new belts I decided to take my old one's out and get a tub of hot soapy water and a scrub brush and just give them a good scrubbing. Once dried I couldn't believe it. They came back supple, clean like new, and stayed that way until the next time they needed cleaning. The nylon will dry rot over time, that's true but if kept clean the fibers will hold their properties for many, many years. In aircraft I don't even know when the replacement time is for belts. Maybe if they became cut or frayed enough to be unsafe? That wouldn't be for very long time.

Take yours out of your truck and wash them. Hot water, maybe some Dawn dish washing liquid for it's dirt removal ability seemingly better than some other liquid soaps. That's what I used. Hey, if it's good enough for baby ducks it ought to be good enough for seat belts. Rinse them well! Hang them up in the sun and it won't take long for them to dry now that's it's warm weather, and I'll bet you'll be surprised at how nice they come back.

I will definitely be trying that soon. Nothing to lose. Thanks


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