Seat belts

[morgy83]

hi all, anyone have issues with seat belt not torquing down when you pull on it hard? Makes me think it won’t lock in an accident.

 

[Frankenchevy]

my old ones didn't. the inertia lock should engage with a sudden jerk. I just bought a bench to replace the buckets in my truck and threw in the seatbelts with it. they lock reliably when jerked. he said they just about strangled him in Moab. you should probably replace yours. there was a thread that's spanned a few years that was just brought up yesterday about seat belts and where to buy.

 

[yevgenievich]

They will not lock until vehicle is hard braking. Just pulling quickly will not easily lock them

 

[chengny]

hi all, anyone have issues with seat belt not torquing down when you pull on it hard? Makes me think it won’t lock in an accident.

It's hard to manually activate the centrifugal brake for the seat belt. It's all about human nature and the sense of self-preservation. They are designed to only engage at a certain rate of payout. If you try to test them by leaning forward quickly or pulling it out with your hand, most people can't get them to engage. That's because they instinctively slow themselves down when they get close to the dash board.

To get them to engage you have to take a leap of faith and trust that they will stop you - and they will.

If you want try it while buckled in, try this: Instead of thinking about the seat belt engaging, imagine that - for whatever reason - you want to smash your face right through the dashboard. Fling your upper body forward without regard for your safety. You have to have a no fear attitude.

If you'd rather not do the first test using the above method, you can do it in a similar manner using your hand on the strap (just make sure you grab the right strap - lol). Conjure up some scenario that would make you so pissed off that you want to punch your fist right through the windshield. Then do it - as hard and fast as you can.

Either way will make the centrifugal clutch in the belt brake spin fast enough to make it engage. Sometimes this test is more successful if you have had a few beers.

 

[Frankenchevy]

I’m not trying to be argumentative because you guys know far more about these trucks than I do, but I own several vehicles and I can consistently get the belt to lock by suddenly jerking it by hand. Only my previous factory square body belts would not do it...ever. The factory ones I just got out of an 84 do it every time though.

I was just suggesting getting new belts if he felt they weren’t working properly. It’s $200 for peace of mind.

 

[morgy83]

I’m not trying to be argumentative because you guys know far more about these trucks than I do, but I own several vehicles and I can consistently get the belt to lock by suddenly jerking it by hand. Only my previous factory square body belts would not do it...ever. The factory ones I just got out of an 84 do it every time though.

I was just suggesting getting new belts if he felt they weren’t working properly. It’s $200 for peace of mind.

Yeah I’m with you. I’m fairly strong dude and I are really hanked hard and shady on it. Every other cat I have owned has done this. How hard is he install? Anyone done this?

 

[Frankenchevy]

Yeah I’m with you. I’m fairly strong dude and I are really hanked hard and shady on it. Every other cat I have owned has done this. How hard is he install? Anyone done this?

It’s straight forward. As long as the bolts aren’t rusted in there. The two outer belt’s mounting bolts aren’t difficult to reach, but the center belt may require you to pull the seat.

 

[yevgenievich]

The design of the square body belts to not false engage. There is a weight inside that swings during deceleration and then it will lock the belt. If mechanism acting up it will lock regardless and most aftermarket and newer belt just lock the moment you tug on it. I replaced mine, but really only had issues with two belts retracting. All would lock during hard brake and pull event.

 

[morgy83]

The design of the square body belts to not false engage. There is a weight inside that swings during deceleration and then it will lock the belt. If mechanism acting up it will lock regardless and most aftermarket and newer belt just lock the moment you tug on it. I replaced mine, but really only had issues with two belts retracting. All would lock during hard brake and pull event.

Thanks yeah, I’m with you. But I’m yanking pretty damn hard on this thing and it is not working down so I think I’m just going to replace since it seems like a fairly easy job and not very expensive.

 

[morgy83]

Thanks for all your help on this and many topics guys. This form is an amazing resource for a new square body down I like myself.

 

[yevgenievich]

Thanks yeah, I’m with you. But I’m yanking pretty damn hard on this thing and it is not working down so I think I’m just going to replace since it seems like a fairly easy job and not very expensive.

The best way to test that I found is 10-15mph empty parking lot and then slam on the brakes. If they fail to lock, then should replace.

 

[shiftpro]

Honestly I just wear belts because it's a $160 fine if I don;t have it on... and an excuse for the cops to fish for other things (that I DON'T have anyway).

 

[Frankenchevy]

Honestly I just wear belts because it's a $160 fine if I don;t have it on... and an excuse for the cops to fish for other things (that I DON'T have anyway).

Really? You only wear seatbelts because you can get a ticket? Lol

 

[trukman1]

My father came upon a wreck with a local kid inside. The kid was unconscious and leaning against the seat belt. Dad couldn't get the seat belts to unlock because of his body weight being on them. The car burst into flames. Dad's arms got burned pretty bad trying to get him out. Victor (the driver) came to when the flames got to him. Think you could ever get my dad to wear a seat belt after that? H3ll No! And we were raised to put on our seat belts as soon as we got in the car. Not after that!

I know odds are that won't happen in 99.999% of wrecks but try to get dad to put on a seat belt after that would be like trying to pass a camel through the eye of a needle. Victor's screams haunted him until his death. Just saying I understand some people being leery of wearing seat belts is all. That said, I constantly hear of people being killed by being ejected from their cars. I choose to wear mine but I understand why some people don't.

Just sayin'

Honestly I just wear belts because it's a $160 fine if I don;t have it on... and an excuse for the cops to fish for other things (that I DON'T have anyway).

 

[rt66paul]

The same can be said if you end up in the canal or whatever body of water. I have been in a couple of high speed accidents in my life and seat belts will save you from injury. If you are knocked out with seat belts on, imagine how bad it would have been without seat belts.