1st gen seatbelts need help.

[Ncostello]

The seatbelts in my regular cab 1991 seem to be a little on the "old" side. Usually, most seatbelt webbing or material seems "soft" and workable. The buckle is normally easy to slide around and adjust the fit.



My webbing seems stiff and moving the buckle around on them is tough. Maybe the UV rays have damaged them. Or maybe its just dirt in the material. So I wonder what they'll do in a wreck.



Can I remove the assy's and scrub the webbing then apply some fabric softener then rinse? Or does anybody make complete new assemblies?



Bad enough I don't have airbags. So I want my belts right.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The webbing has “aged” and has lost a lot of its strength. The SEMA Foundation (SFI) rates seat belts for racing usage, and some sanctioning bodies (such as NHRA) require replacement of belts every two years. With outdoor exposure, Nylon webbing loses about half its strength in a year, and is below 20% of its original strength in two years. The webbing in your truck may have had some protection from the elements and from sunlight, but it is over seventeen years old.

 

[Ncostello]

I just wasn't sure if I can go down to Dodge and order new seatbelts... or if somebody "rebuilds them" or sells new webbing.



Junkyard units would be no better than what I have.

 

[JLEONARD]

Seat Belt Dodge 1991 D250 - AutoPartsWarehouse.com



One result of several avaialble via a very quick google search

 

[Flexiheep]

I used these guys a couple months ago for basic lap belts in a CJ5 (quality was nice, not worried about them not working). I do not have experience with the 3 point retracting style, but the prices are pretty good and I got mine 4 days after I ordered... . They are based in WA state and claim US made products.

Seat Belt Pros



They don't do specific applications, you will need to pick length, and mounting style etc to fit your tuck.

 

[JFought]

remember if the spring or latch is broken, it's fed law for dealer to fix for free for life of vehicle. Had a few cars fixed.