[Stan65]

All,

Does anyone know how stiff the front outside seat belt sleeves are supposed to be?

Not sure if they are supposed to be rigid, or be able to bend 90 degrees?

Stolen pic from giles http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=468849

Thanks,
Stan

[RAIVJUMB]

Every set I have had have been fairly rigid. Not sure how they were when new though.

[455hota]

Agreed. On my 71 they were fairly stiff, not very supple or pliable.
BTW I have a spare one left over from the restoration.





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[Stan65]

455hota,

I have 2 of the same side that’s pictured unfortunately the other side I have is cracked a little on the buckle end. I would have been all over it if it would have been the other side.

Where does the small boot go? I don’t have those.

Thanks both of you for responding. Just trying to figure out if what I have is gonna work. Seems like it’s gonna be awful uncomfortable to have such a stiff belt.

Anyone have a picture with them buckled?

Stan

[455hota]

The small boot goes on the end of the front inboard belts like in the pic below:



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[Stan65]

Well, now I have to find a pair of them in black.

[RAIVJUMB]

They are not all that bad actually I just worry I will brake them but I have not so far.

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[RAIVJUMB]

I spent a lot of time on belts and gathering parts and partial sets and brought a couple of sets to get my car set up.

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[unruhjonny]

I have a pair of black front '71 belts... Mine too are stiff.

My guess is that they were much more pliable when new, and that they generally hardened with age.

At least I know I have the 'male' parts - they are siting in my office on top of a box with other belts... because they will not fit inside the box (without being bent of course).

[RAIVJUMB]

The small boot should be easy as they are the same or super similar to most of the other GM booties and black is popular, I believe A body is the same. Mark

[dpoltzer]

I have a set on my 1971 and they are fairly stiff as well! If not going for the exact original look, can one just remove the plastic outer covers?

[Aus78Formula]

Originally Posted by 455hota

The small boot goes on the end of the front inboard belts like in the pic below:

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Did these years always have the belt receiver on a stalk, rather than later years that used webbing but required the sleeve to keep in place?

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by Aus78Formula

Did these years always have the belt receiver on a stalk, rather than later years that used webbing but required the sleeve to keep in place?

The '70 1/2, 71, early 72 Birds with consoles had the lightly textured black plastic seatbelt buckle hanger that bolted through each side of the console. If no console was ordered the front female buckles typ were laying loose.

Mid '72 production F-body belts are where the fun begins... more changes. A relatively tall outoard retractor was used. Longer stiffer sleeves on the front female belts in an attempt to place the buckles further up and easy to access & not buried down between the console & lower seat cushion.

[72projectbird]

Mine are somewhat stiff. They're not uncomfortable when wearing them.