Well, it finally happened. The driver's side seat belt in my Volare finally broke after being frayed for a few years. I think I remember buying a decent replacement awhile back, but I'm not sure. I gotta go look around in my garage (Oh no!)
I've thought about replacing it with a 4-point harness, but I'll look and see if I have an OEM replacement first.
Opinions anybody?
Thanks...

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Well, I got it fixed. Sort of...
The replacement that I found in the garage was the original seat belt from my '80 Duster (F-body), which is still a work-in-progress. However, it's for the passenger side, the driver's side was almost as ratty as the one that broke.
So, this will do for now.
So, what have any of you guys done about broken seat belts? This Volare is my driver, and it doesn't have to be OEM.
Thanks for any input!

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

Long ago I bought replacement seat belts from J.C.Whitney; they were very good quality & fit, looked, and worked very well. I checked, and they still sell seat belts, but they don't seem to be the same brand, so I can't speak to their quality.

You guys won't like my answer; but since asked; my seatbelts are still in good shape (AFAIK) since honestly I rearely use them...... and don't wanna get "political" in talking about "why"; but I think that it oversteps our Gov't's bounds with them telling me "I "HAVE'TO"; what's next; a ticket for wearing too-faded jeans or ones with holey knees?
Not at all wanting to start a fight; just making comment; no more/no less..... these "enforcement blitzes" at holiday season with highest ever unemployment in history because "they're broke"..... are for the birds---to say it nicely; rant off;

that said; Wes, what color do you need; I have a couple sets in the attic off of cars that were parted out and sent away..... are yours the ones that attach to the inside of the roof panel? I know I have blue, (originals from my seemingly never to be finished Volare) black, tan (those, I'll probably keep in case I do ever finish my car) and I'll have to dig a bit but possibly some maroon ones;

I can't remember I owned a car that even came with seatbelts!

that's the ticket; I guess I need to look for 15-20 year-older vehicles to replace my current ones.....

For a driver, I'd get new belts. Even when stored well, things age. Several places offer older styles for aesthetics, and they usually also offer more modern styles. A wreck is no time to find out the tensile strength of your belt has been compromised.

I got the all metal lift-release buckles that looked like the Sears and Roebucks that were in the car when I got it. Warning-they get got in the summer, and can cook one's belly. I also added the B-pillar and floor reinforcements and went with 3-point shoulder belts up front.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

[quote="volaredon"]
what color do you need

Preferably black, but I would take blue

are yours the ones that attach to the inside of the roof panel?

Yes. If you have a pair for sale, let me know how much you want for them.
Thanks!

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

I'm also one that doesn't like to be told to wear a seat belt, water-wings while boating or a helmet riding a bike by our "Gov of the People"...

That aside;
I wouldn't think to pull out of the driveway without a properly worn safety belt or helmet as applicable. Take a ride in a rescue/medic unit or fire apparatus for a few MVA's. These devices serve a very useful purpose.

Choose your battles. I'll choose mine!

On topic:
Buy new! Safety belts should be replaced every ten years minimum to assure that they haven't deteriorated. They should be replaced after any accident, and a helmet that has visual blemishes should be replaced, or considered compromised if made of fiberglass at the five or seven year mark depending on construction and manufacturer's recommendation. (FRP ages and looses it's ability to de-laminate in the way it was designed to absorb impact over time.) Poly Carbonate products should only be worn at Halloween to make people think you ride a motorcycle. (DOT be damned.) Snell has not certified any polycarbonate helmets to my knowledge. If this is in error, disregard.

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I'm with Ceej... volunteered on a rescue squad for many years, before the advent of air-bags.

Forget the whole dying in the car thing... that's for the lucky ones. The ones that walk with a stroller for the rest of their lives (because their kneecaps shattered on the dashboard) or have an IQ of a hamster because of the skull impact on the glass... they're the ones that make you want to buckle up, every time.

Heck, seat belts are about the only real piece of safety equipment our cars have got!

- Mac

I am with Volaredon as far as his opinion That the government should not tell me I have to wear a seat belt. That said, I would not drive without one. I have been wearing a seat belt since about 1960. Twice it has saved me from having an accident, by keeping me behind the wheel, when I had to take sudden evasive action, to avoid being hit (once head on). A belt also saved my wife from more serious injury when she "T"-boned a car that pulled out in front of her.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

Don, message sent.

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"Ja, Ich fahre ein altes auto."
'78 Volare 225
'67 Charger 318

rant on:

I too, despise the know-it-all, control freaks that exist in all levels of society and the oppressive rules that they impose on us when they are in power. These folks think they are the smartest man in any room that they're in and that the rest of us "dolts" need to be monitored and governed by them in their benevolent wisdom.

Seat belt laws are simply one example of this. I always wear them, mind you, but I resent being told that I HAVE TO.

I suspect that many of you feel the same because the kind of guy (or gal) that would drive 40 year old cars with strange old inline sixes that lay over on their sides, will usually be the sort of person who tends to do things his own way and chafes at the whining little communists who are on a never ending quest to control every part of everyone's life.

rant off

As for the seatbelt itself. I've also been on the scene of more than my share of accidents (in my former life as an MP). For that reason, I always go with new material whenever possible when replacing or upgrading seatbelts.

There are multiple vendors for seatbelts....googling it will find the majority of them.

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1954 Ford, Tudor Mainline
1976 Plymouth Valiant, 4 door


www.automotive-ninja.com

There's a company that restores & sells replacement seat belts that's been around a while; I've seen their catalog some time ago: http://www.ssnake-oyl.com/

Is there a product you can put on older seat belts to moisturize them? Mine are all in real good shape and I'd like to keep them that way before they start getting too dry and frayed.