Ok so I'm wondering today if I could find black seatbelts for the car. Did the trans Ams and Firebirds use the same seatbelts? or can anyone think of a seat belt that would work?
I think you might want to look at GM cars that had bucket seats to narrow it down---I did a complete ground up resto on a older GM 1/2 ton pick-up several years ago and came accross that problem, the bigger problem was matching the color---so I grabbed a few big pots from the kitchen , started them boiling --added the seat belts & a dark navy blue dye---then did it again--installed the belts and they look brand new and have never worn off the dye. Then my wife asked me to leave home for messing up her pots-n-pans and kitchen...It was worth it......
someone in here used a jcwhitney seatbelt - minor trimming to the plastic interior panels was required to make them fit - but its only seen when the seat is rotated forward
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10:33 AM
Mickey_Moose Member
Posts: 7501 From: Edmonton, AB, Canada Registered: May 2001
There was a post on here a bit back that someone found a set that worked...there was some tab on it that had to be cut so that it would fit. I think they came from a Grand Prix, not sure, and I can't find the link right now
Tim
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11:44 AM
86GT3.4DOHC Member
Posts: 10007 From: Marion Ohio Registered: Apr 2004
I think you might want to look at GM cars that had bucket seats to narrow it down---I did a complete ground up resto on a older GM 1/2 ton pick-up several years ago and came accross that problem, the bigger problem was matching the color---so I grabbed a few big pots from the kitchen , started them boiling --added the seat belts & a dark navy blue dye---then did it again--installed the belts and they look brand new and have never worn off the dye. Then my wife asked me to leave home for messing up her pots-n-pans and kitchen...It was worth it......
seems to me that would be a VERY bad idea unless you washed them a few times, then again that could get you out of some seatbelt tickets if you've got blue stripes across your shoulder and waist, lol
seems to me that would be a VERY bad idea unless you washed them a few times, then again that could get you out of some seatbelt tickets if you've got blue stripes across your shoulder and waist, lol
I actually dyed my seatcovers in the washing machine using that dye -- worked great
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12:19 PM
86GT3.4DOHC Member
Posts: 10007 From: Marion Ohio Registered: Apr 2004
I think you might want to look at GM cars that had bucket seats to narrow it down---I did a complete ground up resto on a older GM 1/2 ton pick-up several years ago and came accross that problem, the bigger problem was matching the color---so I grabbed a few big pots from the kitchen , started them boiling --added the seat belts & a dark navy blue dye---then did it again--installed the belts and they look brand new and have never worn off the dye. Then my wife asked me to leave home for messing up her pots-n-pans and kitchen...It was worth it......
This an exellent Idea! Do you have any more info about the dye that you used? I'm going to look into this, wonderful wonderful idea!
Paul
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05:05 PM
3084me Member
Posts: 1035 From: Bucks County, PA Registered: Apr 2005
You may also want to doublecheck the dye you are using. I can't remember where I read it but on several occasions, I've read that dying seat belts is not reccomended. Something about the dye weakening the Nylon which could lead to failure (when you need it most). I'm not quite sure of "my opinion" on this as I've never needed to dye my belts but I thought I'd just "throw that out there" . I'm sure the nylon must get dyed somehow / someway when they make different color belts. Or does it come in different colors when they pick it off of the seatbelt trees? Ha Ha.
[This message has been edited by 3084me (edited 01-25-2006).]
You may also want to doublecheck the dye you are using. I can't remember where I read it but on several occasions, I've read that dying seat belts is not reccomended. Something about the dye weakening the Nylon which could lead to failure (when you need it most). I'm not quite sure of "my opinion" on this as I've never needed to dye my belts but I thought I'd just "throw that out there" . I'm sure the nylon must get dyed somehow / someway when they make different color belts. Or does it come in different colors when they pick it off of the seatbelt trees? Ha Ha.
The nylon is colored during the manufacturing process .
This an exellent Idea! Do you have any more info about the dye that you used? I'm going to look into this, wonderful wonderful idea!
Paul
Paul, You can get Rit Dye from allmost any store,fabric shop or craft store, it works great--just remember if you want to go darker or lighter to do a match, ex: I had medium blue on one set I did --I wanted dark navy blue--so I used black and they where perfect--also the amount of time they are left in the boiling water will cause a little difference in shade--it does not weaken the fabric at all---or rub off, one of the other key points is to wash and re-wash them after the dye proccess, I talked with a tech at Clarion Dyes in N.C. , he sends samples to our shop when requested --so he walked me through the first set, they hold up forever and if its a shade off, they have charts all over the net to give you the perfect match. Don`t pay a trim shop to do this ---they won`t do much more than you can , & don`t worry about the fastners---they will not discolor.. Hope this helps..
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07:28 AM
Feb 4th, 2006
fierosrule Member
Posts: 301 From: Gainesboro,TN Registered: May 2005
There was a post on here a bit back that someone found a set that worked...there was some tab on it that had to be cut so that it would fit. I think they came from a Grand Prix, not sure, and I can't find the link right now
Tim
I belive you are refering to this one:
quote
Originally posted by Max The Chainsaw:
Update time. I have been looking for an alternative seatbelt for this car for some time. The Fiero grey is too light for the interior I'm making. After trying belts from a 94 Camaro, and a 94 Caviler, I finally found these will fit.:
Belts out of a 94 Grand Prix SE. They will need some work. On the back, you see 2 alignment pins. I cut off 1 pin and drilled a hole in the body where the 2ed alignment pin goes.
Then the belts will bolt in using the original Fiero mounting hardware.
Only thing left to do is fix the bottom of the latch. it's curved to bolt to the floor and we need it to bolt to the side of the tunnel.
Just take a torch and very lightly heat the vinyl cover over the latches and bend it to the desired angle and cool Presto, a straight, albeit crinkly, latch mount.
Slip the cover on the body and every thing fits and works. The latch pieces anr about 1 1/2 inches taller than the Fiero mounts, but I think that will make em a little easier for those like me who are slightly (AKA wayyyyyyyyyyy) overweight.The belts I got are a lot darker grey than Fiero belts. I was hoping to find some in Black, but it seem GM doesn't use black for interiors anymore, just dark greys.
Finally, a pic of it all together.
The belts area single spool type so the latch plate sits up by your sholder rather than be your waist like on the Fiero. In the last pic you can also see a bit of the interior work I've been doing.