Seat Belt Q... - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

Mark42 · 01-21-2010, 02:24 PM

The front seat belts in the 98 Coupe do not have the feature where it can be latched slightly loose. Its always retracted tight and rubs on my neck. This is especially a problem in the Firebirds where the seat belt is attached to the head rest, so when the head rest is raised, the seat belt goes with it.

Any other year have the ability to catch the belt in a slack position?

These belts are quite literally, a pain in the neck.

BonzoHansen · 01-21-2010, 02:59 PM

I don't think you don't want a loose belt. Are you missing the hoops on the side of the seat that move the belt down to the shoulder?

WildBillyT · 01-21-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

I don't think you don't want a loose belt. Are you missing the hoops on the side of the seat that move the belt down to the shoulder?

Agreed. Your body should move slightly in an accident but not too much.

maroman88 · 01-21-2010, 03:31 PM

all 3rd and 4th gens have the seatbelt loops on the head rest, and it should be snug

edpontiac91 · 01-21-2010, 03:31 PM

If your REALLY set on getting them a little loose around your neck, go to PEP BOYS and ask for a seat belt adjusting clip (or something like that). It is about 2" long and 1" high. The center is cut out with a 1/2" pin that is attached to both sides. You slide these over your seat belt and the tension will keep it in place. Then sit in your seat and slide the clip towards the seat belt holder (at the top of the seat) until it hits it and then adjust the amount of play you want by moving the clip up or down.

Mark42 · 01-21-2010, 03:58 PM

Yes, the seats have the hoops. Remember, in a Pontiac, they are on the side of the headrest, pulling the belt up high against your neck when the headrest is raised. In a Camaro they are in a fixed position that is not so high.

Lots of cars have a seat belt mechanism where after the belt pulls tight, a slight tug puts a little slack in the belt. My 97 Mountaineer, 98 Town Car and 2007 Sienna all have that feature. Its really nice.

Believe me, a little slack in the belt isn't going to kill you, literally. Through no fault of my own, I've been in a front end crash so bad the seat belt tore the skin right off my chest, and the belt stretched about 2 inches. That slack belt saved my life. I was driving a Buick, and it had the the ability to latch the belt with some slack.

So none of the later model F-bodies offered that belt feature?

Mark42 · 01-22-2010, 08:22 AM

Just an update....

Went through Service Information, and none of the F-bodies have that seat belt feature. Other GM cars do, but not the F-bodies.

NastyEllEssWon · 01-22-2010, 08:32 AM

those are cheap and you can find em all over. i had one in my t/a cause it would rub a bit on my neck.

BonzoHansen · 01-22-2010, 09:18 AM

she is wearing a belt in an unsafe manner.

WildBillyT · 01-22-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

those are cheap and you can find em all over. i had one in my t/a cause it would rub a bit on my neck.

Which neck?

And yes, that is an unsafe application.

sweetbmxrider · 01-22-2010, 10:10 AM

the way a 5 point is secured, it won't contact your neck. just a thought....

NastyEllEssWon · 01-22-2010, 10:29 AM

seatbelt bra ftw

WildBillyT · 01-22-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

the way a 5 point is secured, it won't contact your neck. just a thought....

Shame you need a bar behind the seats.

sweetbmxrider · 01-22-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Shame you need a bar behind the seats.

stiffer chassis = better mpgs i think?

but yes, that is the proper way

WildBillyT · 01-22-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

stiffer chassis = better mpgs i think?

but yes, that is the proper way

Loss of use of rear seats is kinda a downer, and so are the side bars. Even with swingouts it can be a PITA.

sweetbmxrider · 01-22-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Loss of use of rear seats is kinda a downer, and so are the side bars. Even with swingouts it can be a PITA.

well the rear seats are just a junk catch

you could just do a 4 point or leave the door bars out for street use.

BonzoHansen · 01-22-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

well the rear seats are just a junk catch

you could just do a 4 point or leave the door bars out for street use.

Aren't harnesses illegal on the street?

WildBillyT · 01-22-2010, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Aren't harnesses illegal on the street?

Not DOT approved, yes. They should be but since guys douche up the installs so frequently I'm sure they don't want to make it legal.

BonzoHansen · 01-22-2010, 10:55 AM

Good luck with that. State Inspection gives us trouble of CARB approved exhausts. lol

Savage_Messiah · 01-22-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

those are cheap and you can find em all over. i had one in my t/a cause it would rub a bit on my neck.

that would friggin hurt in an accident

sweetbmxrider · 01-22-2010, 06:47 PM

aw damn, the whole "legal" aspect really blows

1QWIKBIRD · 01-24-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

Not DOT approved, yes. They should be but since guys douche up the installs so frequently I'm sure they don't want to make it legal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

Good luck with that. State Inspection gives us trouble of CARB approved exhausts. lol

I have gone through Bakers Basin State Inspection station with 5pt belts installed on both passenger and driver side of the car. Passed without question. I also had the factory 3pts belts still in the car also. 5pts belts alone and you'll fail. I have also been pulled over bearing only the lap portion of the 5pt belt and still go ticketed for seatbelt violation.

Long and short. Keep the factory 3pt belts and use them on all public roads. Install the 5pt belts properly (stress PROPERLY) and use them for their intended purposes and you will be fine.

Chris

PolarBear · 01-29-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark42

Lots of cars have a seat belt mechanism where after the belt pulls tight, a slight tug puts a little slack in the belt. My 97 Mountaineer, 98 Town Car and 2007 Sienna all have that feature. Its really nice.

I completely agree, I really like this feature with the seat belts from my 88, I dont think people understan what you are talking about. Its just enough so the side of the belf doesnt saw at your neck from the wond or something.
Sadly I think this went away with the 3rd gen, it is probably considered "dangerous" because you could put the belt as loose as you wanted and would negate the effect of the belt altogether.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NastyEllEssWon

That flimsy piece of plastic is going to snap as soon as the belt starts to see some tension in an accident. Stay away from those! that will cause way more injury than wearing a belt.