I've got a 77 Comet with driver and front passenger bucket seats. recently I've noticed that the driver's side belt is starting to wear at the high anchor point of the shoulder harness. In addition both belts look old, and the hardware is starting to look worn. No biggie, I figured, I'd just pop online and order a new set of belts and hardware. I was wrong. I've been looking for two days on line and I can't find anything that says it will fit a 77, 76, 75, or 74 Maverick or Comet, plenty of Cougar belts, loads of mustang belts, and other belts but no Comet or Maverick belts. Not one site says they have the parts. So here's my question, does anybody know of a OEM supplier for both the belt and the hardware, and if not, what is the best option. I'm looking for functionality, and little to no additional work, though I do plan to replace the carpet at the same time I do the seatbelts. Also, as a temporary measure can the passenger side belt be used on the driver's side until parts arrive, or should I just plan on parking the car until I get the parts? Thanks!
https://www.seatbeltplanet.com You can send them your belts and they will rebuild/refurbish. They also sell the hardware, just give them a call.
I used them for my Miata and the belts came back better than new. Really awesome service. On my Maverick, I used generic retractable belts intended for use in the back seats of vans (My '73 was the last year they put the top mounting point way behind the driver, with a detachable, non-retracting shoulder harness). You should be able to get a good-quality generic that will bolt in. However, if you use a generic belt (as opposed to having seatbeltplanet do their thing), you will lose function of the "fasten seat belt" light, which is unlikely a dealbreaker for anyone.
I installed these Scott Drake retractable belts from Summit Racing. They worked well. See my review on the Summit website Rick in Ohio. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdk-sb3pbkpbsb
Thanks Hotrock for the idea. I do have a couple questions. In my car the retractors were recessed into the rocker panels from the cabin side, and covered with a trim peace, I see you have the belts bolted directly on, did you have to modify the rim panels at all to get the arrangement to work, and would you foresee any problems in a car with adjustable seats? Could you post a picture of where the seatbelts are anchored inside? And second, how did you lower the attachment point on the roof so the belt wasn't too high on your chest? On my car there's, as part of the entire seatbelt assembly an extender attached to the upper attachment point on the ceiling. P.S. your idea is looking really appealing right now especially against the higher cost for re webbing the belts, and with the added plus of new newer but classic looking hardware.
Starting in 74, our Mav/Comets had their seatbelt assemble recessed into the rocker panel, having them re webbed by SeatBeltPlanet will allow to you reinstall back into their OEM locations, no modifications required or hassles, plus they will be DOT certified. David
Thanks David! I was wondering about that. Also, I plan to contact Seatbelt planet tomorrow morning to get more details about re webbing, but since you're here do you know the rough turn around time?
With this Covid19 going around, best give them a call and they will have a good idea how long it will take. It has been a few years since I purchased new retractable seat belts for my 73 Comet, Steve was the person I talked to. They can throughly check/rebuild (if necessary) your seat belt assemblies back to new condition and will have DOT certified label stitched to the webbing. www.seatbeltplanet.com (405) 736-0088 David
Red 5, dyent may have answered your questions. I'm not familiar with the details of the newer model Mavericks and Comets. I have included some photos of my install as requested.
Thanks Hotrock, looks like my car is a little different with an additional trim peace over the retractors, and like the re webbing might be my best bet. Thanks though! Here's a photo of where the retractors are mounted (the two back rectangles are the gasket around where they are recessed) and of the retractors them selves out of the car.
Just send both retracters as is to Seat belt planet once you have contacted them, they will do their thing and when you get them back, just a matter of popping them back in place, piece of cake! David