Seat belts

71ChargerRT

71ChargerRT

Well-known member
:hmmm: This is a little early in the build, but the '71 Chargers have the separate shoulder strap and lap belt correct? Mine doesn't have them installed, and Spawn's doesn't have the at all. What is the first year that it is a one piece assembly, '74? I remember my '73 Challenger had the 2 piece, but back then I was indestructible and didn't need them :shifty:! Are they a bolt in deal? 2 door B body only? Or would the A body one work? 2 door only if they did I'm sure.

I had a set from a '74 Duster, but they were in the sun for lots of years and faded. I wouldn't have run those as I'm sure they were deteriorated. :dgt:
 
I don't think the B-body coupes had retractable shoulder belts until '75. I can't recall for sure; I've only owned one '74, and that one only for about 2 weeks.
 
i want to say the 74 cuda had a 1 peice...but im not sure any more...i always liked the 2peice setup in the chally tho due to how "strapped in" it would put you...
 
My '73 has the 2 piece set up. I only use the lap belt. The sholder strap is a pain in the ass and it never fits in the roof clips correctly once removed. Michigan has a seatbelt law but I don't think it says any thing about required sholder belts. You can be stoped and ticketed for no seat belt use here but I have never been bothered in my charger. I do wear the lap belt. Some what safe is better than no belt at all in my opninon and the buzzer still works in my car.
 
71ChargerRT said:
Caster/camber question; positive is out and back correct?
Click to expand...


Wrong thread... LOL

+caster is the upper ball joint behind the lower ball joint. Think bicycle. + camber is out at the top of the tire. + toe in is "In" or closer together at the front of the tires.

Now.... Back to seatbelts!
 
i think most of the seatbelt laws are pretty universal these days..and "any" belt is technicaly a belt in the laws eyes..ive never seen anything that "requires" an oem belt let alone an era specific belt...hmm lets see an era specific belt for my 58 ford is no belt at all lol......you know in most states(or atleast as far as DOT is concerned that a "seatbelt" on a bike eliminates the requirement for a helmet..WTF?!?!?!...so does that mean a helmet removes the need for a seatbelt in a car?)
 
I like the two-piece belts as well, for the same reason as 69.5... that "strapped in" race car feeling. I'm almost positive my high-school best friend's '74 'Cuda was the two-piece setup, though. I haven't seen the car in a few years, though.
 
I just saw your question on dodgecharger.com Stretch, thanks! I was just fixin to post over there and ask them. :D

So '74 was the first year for the modern belt system. Good, I'll have to locate some, and find the exact location for the roof, or would that be ceiling mount:hmmm: :D

I hated the lap belt in my Challenger, and you're right about the shoulder strap, I took it down and could never get it back tight enough to stay.
 
my 69 cuda had the shoulder strap..it came down and never came back lol

i wouldnt count on 74 being the first year for shouldrs..just i know they were "starting" to show up..much the way a 68 cuda has the shoulder mount but not all of them had it and 67 didnt have any provisions for it...but had REAR provisions for shoulder belts..figure that one out
 
Shoulder straps were federally mandated on all cars manufactored after Feb. 3rd, '72.

Also, tests have shown that the use of a lap belt only can cause internal injuries that may exceed the injuries sustained if not wearing any belts. Therefore, the use of belt restaints on any car manufactored prior to Feb. 3rd, '72 is exempted by federal ruling. Most people don't know this because they don't want to tell you. :hmmm:
 
I've never seen a '71-up Mopar that didn't have the shoulder belts... and I don't recall seeing anything pre-'75 with self-retractors for them. Everything I recall was the clip-on style, though I've never paid attention to C-bodies and not much attention to seatbelts in general, so they may have come around sooner.

I can tell you with no uncertainty that both my '73 Challenger and same-year Charger had the clip-on shoulder straps, and I liked 'em in both cars.
 
i loved the SINCHED down belts in my truck..and fishy can attest to how well they hang the hell on..you see me sinch in you hang the hell on its about to get ROUGH

i belive ive seen the self retractors in the 74+ c bodys

but do they say anything about 5points or 4pt vs a single shoulder belt hmmmmmm
 
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