I just happened upon a great lesson in later model seatbelt swappage.
I attempted to install a driver side belt from a '95 Grand Marquis.
After removing the factory '76 belt, procuring a 7/16-20 x 1.5" bolt and a .50 washer stack as a spacer and shaving off a tab from the MGM housing, I put the whole thing in.
Everything went in slick as you please, until.....
Happy as could be I sat in it and tried to use it.
CLICK ! ! The belt stopped dead.
Seems as though the little weight in the bottom of the unit is reversed of what it needs to be.
When the housing is oriented as it needs be in the Pinto, it leans forward, which would be fine, IF I hadn't run out of time when I was stripping the MGM and forgot to get all the belts. >:(
In other words, if you take the front belts from a '95-ish MGM, switch them side to side, you will have new seat belts for your Pinto.
Sweet, would this work for all years of pintos?
thanks
Not being a Pinto expert, I can only attest to it probably working in the years that resemble the '76.
That is a question best posed to the gurus around these parts.
I might yank the other side apart and give it a shot to make sure I am not eating a size 14 foot.
Are the 76 belts the retractor belts that have the retractor in the rear panel, then loop over a hanger in the pillar and then bolt to the floor behind the seat?
My wagon has the type that has a retracting lap belt, but a strap type shoulder belt that hook together, my 78 has a full retractor system type belt like I described.
Are the 76 belts the retractor belts that have the retractor in the rear panel, then loop over a hanger in the pillar and then bolt to the floor behind the seat?
That is correct.
I'm pretty sure 1973 was the last year of the two piece, snap-together lap and shoulder belts.
Dwayne :smile:
Ok, I went to the other (pass) side, took out the Pinto belt, and installed the MGM belt.
With the spacers and longer bolt, it works like a charm ! !
It even clicks into the factory buckle ! !
Am I happy?
You bet.
Pics to follow.
First pic shows the seven 3/8" washers (.50 spacer), 7/16-20x1.5" bolt and 3/8" washer under bolt head.
Also shown is the trimmed "stabilizer horn".
Second pic shows the belt installed.
Third shows the MGM belt snapped into the Pinto buckle.