Seatbelts, can they go bad?

[Bowtiek10]

Hi there,

I've been daily driving my k10 after getting it put together for about a year now. I had a close friend of mine ride in it recently. She noted that when she pulls on the belt, it doesn't 'trip' or latch as quickly as modern stuff. Since this is one of few squarebodies I've ridden in, is this normal? Or is it the case that it takes more than just a quick pull for the seat belts to trip? Just want people to feel safe in the truck, and never thought about it until now

 

[nvrenuf]

Trip how? You mean lock like if it were in a wreck? If so, I believe there is a pendulum that causes the lock. I doubt that would trip unless the truck was braking while your friend was testing.

Also, in general, seatbelts are vulnerable to stuff like coins etc falling in to the mechanism as well as getting gummed up from spills and such.

 

[imiceman44]

Hi there,

I've been daily driving my k10 after getting it put together for about a year now. I had a close friend of mine ride in it recently. She noted that when she pulls on the belt, it doesn't 'trip' or latch as quickly as modern stuff. Since this is one of few squarebodies I've ridden in, is this normal? Or is it the case that it takes more than just a quick pull for the seat belts to trip? Just want people to feel safe in the truck, and never thought about it until now

It's not going to feel like a new car, no old vehicle will.
It still will do the job

 

[Williebeaman]

Tell your friend they are probably safer in one of these tanks than a new civic which will crunch up like a beer can on a frat boys forehead

 

[1-ton]

The problem I have found with the GM square body belts is that when they get old the swing weight pivot bracket rivets starts to loosen up, and get out of shape. Then the swing weight is no longer positioned at the correct angle, and it starts to lock or un-lock the ratchet mechanism erratically. The only cure for this is new belts, which are expensive because of manufacture liability issues.

 

[Bowtiek10]

The problem I have found with the GM square body belts is that when they get old the swing weight pivot bracket rivets starts to loosen up, and get out of shape. Then the swing weight is no longer positioned at the correct angle, and it starts to lock or un-lock the ratchet mechanism erratically. The only cure for this is new belts, which are expensive because of manufacture liability issues.

With this in mind I'm contemplating moving towards buckets out of 99-07 trucks that have integrated belts. Bolt those to the cab floor and be safe and sound