Locking Shoulder Seatbelts?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Locking Shoulder Seatbelts?
Sorry everyone, one more question for today.
I believe that the shoulder straps were new to Ford trucks in the 70's. Do you know if the 77 had locking shoulder straps? Neither of mine lock, so it looks like it's almost just decoration!
If they are supposed to lock, any recommendations on how to fix?
If they do not, any recommendations on installing a spring system that would enable them to lock?
I have two young children and I want to make sure which ever one sits in that seat has a proper working shoulder strap.
Thanks!
Dave
I believe that the shoulder straps were new to Ford trucks in the 70's. Do you know if the 77 had locking shoulder straps? Neither of mine lock, so it looks like it's almost just decoration!
If they are supposed to lock, any recommendations on how to fix?
If they do not, any recommendations on installing a spring system that would enable them to lock?
I have two young children and I want to make sure which ever one sits in that seat has a proper working shoulder strap.
Thanks!
Dave
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
If you're simply yanking on them really fast to get them to lock, it won't happen. There has to be forward momentum for the weight in the retractor assembly to engage the teeth of the retractor. It's difficult to check their functionality at a stand-still.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Thanks for the response. So, is it safe to say that in the 77's the shoulder straps were in fact designed to lock upon impact? No good way to test?
I just wasn't sure if they were designed with that function.
Thanks!
I just wasn't sure if they were designed with that function.
Thanks!
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
I don't know of a way to prove that they do work (other than the obvious); I can only say your original method doesn't necessarily prove they don't work. Hopefully someone else can chime in with more advice. I should have also mentioned that this is how they are in my '79 - I'm not sure if a '77 would be any different, being older.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
only one thing I can think of,
Got a rough country road nearby? go bomb down it and aim for the bumps instead of going around them...
I live on a 1.5 lane gravel road, lots of pot holes and ruts... can't go bombing down it without the strap locking/unlocking repeatedly as i bounce against/away from the strap.
Might try a brake test, stop hard and see if it catches, sometimes mine will for that.
This is in a 78 though, but i doubt they'd be there is they wouldn't catch.
And there is a thought; what was the cutoff for these trucks actually getting shoulder straps? my 76 doesn't have them.(and I am glad of it, but thats personal pref.)
G.
Got a rough country road nearby? go bomb down it and aim for the bumps instead of going around them...
I live on a 1.5 lane gravel road, lots of pot holes and ruts... can't go bombing down it without the strap locking/unlocking repeatedly as i bounce against/away from the strap. Might try a brake test, stop hard and see if it catches, sometimes mine will for that.
This is in a 78 though, but i doubt they'd be there is they wouldn't catch.
And there is a thought; what was the cutoff for these trucks actually getting shoulder straps? my 76 doesn't have them.(and I am glad of it, but thats personal pref.)
G.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,153
Likes: 5,785
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
My 77 has them and they will pass the "snap" lock test, if yours will not get a set outa a JY 79 and feel better about them kids.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Waterloo IL
On every vehicle I have ever owned with shoulder harnesses from my 1977 F-150 to my Ford Focus daily driver, if I pull the belt out quickly it will lock. Its annoying sometimes if I lean forward quickly to look for traffic they will lock in everyhing I've ever had and driven (I was a GM tech so I've driven a lot of vehicles). Then I let up and lean forward again and they still lock. Many times I just unbuckle them so I can actually lean forward and see vs moving forward very slowly so they dont lock because then my traffic opening would be gone.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nblennon
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Oct 26, 2015 11:26 AM
reamer
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Aug 14, 2015 06:00 PM
TheSchultMeistr
Excursion - King of SUVs
1
Apr 25, 2015 09:52 PM
gdub
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Sep 26, 2014 02:51 PM
Colin Bigdog Yarnton
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 13, 2013 08:17 PM
