Help me Stay Safe: New Seatbelts!

[Judhudson]

Okay, I asked this a long time ago back when the old boards were up, but now I got my car done, it's time to get new seatbelts.  I can't stand those standard ones in a 73.  I just don't like not being able to have a retractable shoulderbelt, plus I need new seatbelts anyways.  So I'm looking for some new belts.  Back when the old boards was up, NealJ sent me this link:  http://shop.store.yahoo.com/wescoperformance/resebe.html and said the WELR 3 Point Retractable SeatBelt would work.  I looked at them, and they are the right kind I want to use.  However, looking at the installation diagram, I think I have a problem.

The installation pic shows of two holes on the same side:  one for the retractor assembly, the other for the shoulder belt.  I don't believe the old seatbelt had two holes, I think it only had just one hole on each side.  So my problem is:

Does anyone know if these seatbelts can work?  I'm not wanting to cut/drill/etc any new mounting holes since I got my interior the way I like it.  Are there any other belts that you may know of that uses the existing mounting holes?  I sure hope so, I don't want to be stuck with these old belts

[Nacho-RT74]

sell your 73 and buy a 74 what already has the double retractor system  LOL...

j/k... Ill check the link and post later

[Nacho-RT74]

ok, Not sure if I  understood prefectly but what I see is:

2 kinds of 3 points of seatbelts... why is this ?

Cars like your one ( any 73 and earlier 2 doors Mopar is on this way ) where the shoulder belt is bolted Practically BEHIND the quarter window has the anchorage point on that area. So you would need to drill  hole(s) to attach the new shoulder anchorage place on roof.


Cars with the B pillar post OR LIKE Mopars 74 and laters 2 DOORS A/B/C/E where the Original shoulder belts anchor is already located close to front seats where supposelly goes the B pillar ( but on roof ), don't need this extra plate.

74 is already equiped with retractor shoulder belt, but different that this ones on website. Mine uses two different retractors with belts joined to only one male terminal . The lap retractor is located same place as earliers on floor, and shoulder retractor is hidden behind the quarter interior panel trim, with an extra panel to cover it.

Systems with only one retractor like modern cars doesn't have the male terminal fixed like mine, they have a sliding male terminal.

you have two options

"Installation Options
1. You can have the shoulder anchor mounted above the window into the roof. This requires our WELR seatbelts (1st belt found below).
Or
2. You can have the shoulder anchor mounted just below the bottom of the back window and behind the shoulder. For this you would want to purchase our I-3207 seat belts (2nd belt found below)."

Option 1-has the plate kit to attach on roof where supposelly the B pillar goes ( like mine ). The plate is somekind of fastener.

Option 2- they are supposing already do exist the point to attach the bolt below the quarter window, on to the upper rear panel. UGLY... so they don't provide the plate. Maybe also belts are shorter for same reason. In your Charger would need anyway to open the hole to install it on that way so IMHO would attach also the plate.


They are also assuming  it does exist TWO holes to belts on floor, one to retractor ( labeled A, and the other one to the belt end ( labeled C )



on our cars that is not true. BUT I think you can use somehow the same bolt to fit both ends

If you ask for opinion... I'd go with roof attach option ( option 1 ).

[Nacho-RT74]

here are the differences between 74 and 73; also earliers.

first is like your one ( 72 is the same ) . Shoulder belt non retractable and terminal hooks on male lap terminal

next 74 kind. Notice diferent anchor point on roof of shoulder seatbelt ( well really is attached a hanging guide trim, not really the seatbelt or retractor ) shoulder retrator is hidden by the lower panel. Uses two retractors, one to lap, one to shoulder. Both share same male terminal.

71 ( not showed ) is similar to your one BUT uses male terminals to both belts because they don't kook one on another. Tranny tunnel hump has bolted two female terminals to every belt.

[Judhudson]

Okay, I'm simpled minded, so excuse me on this - but I'm lost right now.

Are you trying to say if I want to get new retractable belts, such as the WELR seatbelts, I'd have to drill new holes on the top?  Couldn't I use the existing hole, and just put both the bottom ones in the same hole?  Or that wouldn't work out?  I'm afraid to do this, since my car is pretty much done, and I have extremely bad luck that if I did do it, I'd drill all of the way thru the roof.

[Nacho-RT74]

OK... YES YOU CAN install the shoulder belt anchor on existing hole on roof, but you maybe will be against these 3 "problems":

1-Belt across the quarter window, what makes some uncomfortable to ppl on rear bench.
2-Probably the belt will meet or get friction with bench becasue you are attaching diagonally from floor point up to your existing roof point. Bench is PROBABLY on the way, so sooner or later ( of course allong the years ) you will have worned areas at belts, bench cover or even lower rear panel. For a while belt doesn't stuck somehow between bench and rear lower panel, this is not a big deal.
3-Install diagonally ( not vertically like 74 Mopars as pic posted and how normally is ) will need longer seatbelts and I don't know if those are long enough.


I'm just guessing, didn't say WILL BE IN THAT WAY. ( except for point 1  that will be a fact LOL )

About lower points ( floor ), I already said that I don't think to attach both ends on same bolt will be really a problem to save from open new hole there. But you can also open the hole underside the floor and attach the mounting plate.


Since those are the options you have I don't think you will have a problem if buy and try to install the WELR set. If you notice some kind of trouble you can always just buy separated the mounting plate if set didn't come with and install it. I can't see any kind of problem on that job, opening holes on "roof" .