Seat belt retractors 69 vs 70/71?

Discussion in 'Interior City' started by BuickV8Mike, Nov 18, 2017.

  1. BuickV8Mike

    BuickV8Mike SD Buick Fan

    Are the internals or cases different for these years? I looking to buy some 70's for my 69 but I want it to be correct, not just work. Do these actually work similar to modern ones? How can I verify proper function? I like functional seat belts.:D:D:D
     
  2. steve covington

    steve covington Well-Known Member

    By your question, I would have to say that the seat belts are NOT similar to MODERN ones. The modern ones tend to have electronic sensors built into them and have retracters that are similar to airbag operation (Speaking from about middle 2000's).
    As to the 1969 versus 1970 question, considering the basic body floor pan remained the same from 1968 through 1972, I would say that that as each year progressed and safety standards went up, you'd be getting a 'better' style of belt. I have not looked at 1969 cars in as much detail...The 1970 belts used all the same size buckle and clip for seat and shoulder belt, meaning you could wear just the shoulder belt or seat belt or both. 1971 went with different size buckle and clip for seat and shoulder belt, but you could still wear just the shoulder belt or seat belt or both. 1972 went with a piggyback style of attachment for the shoulder belt; you could wear just the seat belt if you wanted, but had to attach the shoulder belt clip to the seat belt clip to insert that one into the common buckle. You could not wear just the shoulder belt. Also, later 1972 cars had the irritating seat belt buzzer and dash light. Even later cars went with the common seat belt/shoulder belt with an inertia lock on the shoulder belt. That style has to have the retracter aligned to allow proper action; it can't be installed wrong or the inertia wouldn't make the belt stop the feed out. They have specific left and right actuators. Ever see a 80's car with that broken black plastic thing on the B-pillar? Try yanking on a 80's car seat belt, the centrifugal force sends a pawl out to catch on the spool.
     

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