Interior Discussion about interior restoration, repairs, and modifications.

4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-24-2014, 05:43 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Citation X's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wichita Kansas
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 92 RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.73
4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Will the third gen seat belts fit in the 4th gen receivers in the front? My receivers are cracked and ugly and finding third gen ones isn't an easy task.
Old 06-25-2014, 12:47 AM
  #2  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (4)
 
Ozz1967's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Posts: 4,780
Received 9 Likes on 8 Posts
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LS1383 in work
Transmission: Magnum F
Axle/Gears: Zexel Torsen 3.73, 28-spline mosers
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Dunno, but I'm sure year-one or Classic INdustries will have the third gen ones.
Old 06-25-2014, 03:27 AM
  #3  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (-3)
 
1991sleeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,184
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 1991 firebird
Engine: TBI 305 (built)
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Might sell u some for the right price

91' bird 305 TBI T-5, trick flow 175 cc heads, 4.10 gears, lots of suspension upgrades......... 24mpg @ 2300rpm hwy 65mph ........ 8.63@ 85mph 1/8th on street tires... 8.000's soon
Old 06-25-2014, 10:15 AM
  #4  
Former Sponsor
 
Classic1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Ozz1967
Dunno, but I'm sure year-one or Classic INdustries will have the third gen ones.
These have recently been reproduced and are now available.
Click links below to see color availability:

Third Gen Belts

Fourth Gen Belts

Hope this helps.
Old 03-14-2015, 11:25 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Classic1
These have recently been reproduced and are now available.
Click links below to see color availability:

Third Gen Belts

Fourth Gen Belts

Hope this helps.
Hi Ray,

I see your belts use a single retractor instead of the OEM dual retractor. In light of this change, can you describe what is different about these belts vs 4th gen belts. I was planning to use your 4th gen belts, but maybe your new 3rd gen belts would be better.

Thanks,

John
Old 03-15-2015, 09:37 AM
  #6  
On Probation

 
sonjaab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Syracuse NY
Posts: 1,588
Received 18 Likes on 18 Posts
Car: 84 Z-28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: r-700
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Why spend big $$$ on 3rd gen new or used recievers when u can head to
your local parts yard and pull a pair of recievers and sleeves from almost
any late 70s to late 80s GM car for $10 bucks?

Others are better quality and are steel and chrome than the plastic junk
they put in our 3rd gens.

I got mine from a Olds. Simple bolt in..............
Old 03-15-2015, 11:29 AM
  #7  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by sonjaab
Why spend big $$$ on 3rd gen new or used recievers when u can head to
your local parts yard and pull a pair of recievers and sleeves from almost
any late 70s to late 80s GM car for $10 bucks?

Others are better quality and are steel and chrome than the plastic junk
they put in our 3rd gens.

I got mine from a Olds. Simple bolt in..............
Not my style, thanks. Also, I am not talking about just receivers, but rather the whole front belts.

John
Old 03-16-2015, 07:40 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
SolarGoldRaptor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: France
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Engine: V8 5.0L HO (L69)
Transmission: B&W T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 limited slip
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

2nd gen seat belts will fit (I have a 1980 set in my '84), 4th gen should fit as well but don't have the retractor on the floor.
Old 03-18-2015, 02:17 PM
  #9  
Former Sponsor
 
Classic1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by 87350IROC
Hi Ray,

I see your belts use a single retractor instead of the OEM dual retractor. In light of this change, can you describe what is different about these belts vs 4th gen belts. I was planning to use your 4th gen belts, but maybe your new 3rd gen belts would be better.

Thanks,

John
Hi John,

The Third and Fourth Gen seat belts we offer are a direct bolt-in replacement for your original belts. So, we would recommend that you use the Third Gen style belts if you are fitting them to a Third Gen Car. And, the Fourth Gen belts on a Fourth Gen car to ensure proper fit and operation.

I apologize if I might be missing your point. But, I'm not sure I fully understand the question. Is there a particular reason you want to use 4th gen belts on your 3rd Gen car or a perceived benefit of doing a swap?
Old 03-18-2015, 03:11 PM
  #10  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Classic1
Is there a particular reason you want to use 4th gen belts on your 3rd Gen car or a perceived benefit of doing a swap?
Thanks again Ray for taking your time to post here.

The reason for using the 4th gen seat belts was because they use the more modern single retractor. Also, we know from experience that if you use a 1982 door sill you get a very nice looking result. If you do not use a 1982 door sill, when you remove the lower retractor you end up with an ugly hole in your door sill.

See in this picture, the 83-92 sill plate is on top and the 82 on the bottom.



And in this picture you can what it looks like when a 4th gen seatbelt is swapped into a 3rd gen car with the 1982 sill plates. It is clean looking. I can't find a picture, but I am sure you can imagine how crappy it would look if 83-92 sill plates were used.



So from this, I know I am safe using the 4th gen seat belts with 82 sills, from a looks point of view. My question for you is, with these new single retractor 3rd gen seat belts that you are selling, what does the area around sill penetration look like?

Will it look good with the 83-92 sills?

Will it look good with the 82 sills?

I hope that helps clarify what I am asking.

Have a good day,

John
Old 03-18-2015, 05:19 PM
  #11  
Former Sponsor
 
Classic1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by 87350IROC
Thanks again Ray for taking your time to post here.

Will it look good with the 83-92 sills? Will it look good with the 82 sills?
I hope that helps clarify what I am asking.

Have a good day,

John
Hi John,

Thanks so much for the clarification. The pictures you supplied really helped illustrate your point.

The main difference between the reproduction single retractor Third and Fourth Gen seat belt sets is the plastic sleeve that surrounds the female (buckle) end. This would be the buckle part of the belt (with push button) that mounts near the center tunnel of the car and sticks up between the front bucket seat and the console (to the right of the driver, and left of the passenger). The reproduction Third Gen belt set has a plastic sleeve on this portion of the belt, while the reproduction Fourth Gen set does not.

Additionally, neither reproduction set has the short plastic surround that is shown in your image of the 1982 sill plate with the OE Fourth Gen belt sticking through it. So, it seems to me that if you wanted to go with the reproduction belts, you would still want to use the Third Gen set, because the portion of the belt going through the sill plate, would be nearly identical whether you use the Third or the Fourth Gen set. But with the Third Gen set, you will have the plastic sleeve that may eliminate the possibility of losing the buckle end between the seat and console when unclasped.


THIRD GEN SET :




FOURTH GEN SET:



Last edited by Classic1; 03-18-2015 at 05:29 PM. Reason: added links to images
Old 03-19-2015, 12:17 AM
  #12  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Classic1
So, it seems to me that if you wanted to go with the reproduction belts, you would still want to use the Third Gen set, because the portion of the belt going through the sill plate, would be nearly identical whether you use the Third or the Fourth Gen set. But with the Third Gen set, you will have the plastic sleeve that may eliminate the possibility of losing the buckle end between the seat and console when unclasped.
Agreed Ray.

Also I was poking around your website and I see it looks like you sell 4th generation belts with the plastic sleeve on the door sill connection. However you only have them in Beige (G4457 and G4458). Is this a product you are discontinuing? This is exactly what I need, except I need them in black. Is there any hope of getting them in black?




I feel the plastic sleeve is necessary for a clean installation with the 82 door sills.

Also, I will mention that there is a great community on the History/Restoration board that would be happy to provide any information possible to Classic Industries to ensure we keep getting high quality restoration parts. This forum has been waiting for the restoration community to expand the parts that are offered for our cars. THANK YOU.

John
Old 03-23-2015, 03:22 PM
  #13  
Former Sponsor
 
Classic1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by 87350IROC
Agreed Ray.

Also I was poking around your website and I see it looks like you sell 4th generation belts with the plastic sleeve on the door sill connection. However you only have them in Beige (G4457 and G4458). Is this a product you are discontinuing? This is exactly what I need, except I need them in black. Is there any hope of getting them in black?

I feel the plastic sleeve is necessary for a clean installation with the 82 door sills.

Also, I will mention that there is a great community on the History/Restoration board that would be happy to provide any information possible to Classic Industries to ensure we keep getting high quality restoration parts. This forum has been waiting for the restoration community to expand the parts that are offered for our cars. THANK YOU.

John
Hi John,

Unfortunately, that is a New Old Stock GM item left over from original GM service replacement inventory. No black available any more. At this time, a used set will probably be your best bet. Also, thank you for the comment regarding the community on the History/Restoration board. It's always very helpful to speak to the enthusiasts who are "hands on" any particular vehicle. We will remember that.
Old 03-23-2015, 08:37 PM
  #14  
Member
 
1991_RS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1989 Formula Firebird
Engine: Swapped 350 TPI speed density
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.73 (soon to be 3.42)
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Just a quick note for anyone wishing to replace their receivers (but not the retractors). The 4th Gen receivers will work fine, but you will want to trim the plastic sleeve at the bottom where they bolt to the floor. The 3rd Gen and 4th Gen bolt in at slightly different angles. By trimming the plastic, they will no longer stand up on their own, but once the seats are installed, they stay in place between the seat and console just fine.

I know not everyone wants to mod a 4th Gen receiver, but this post was meant for those who do want to.
Old 03-25-2015, 11:54 PM
  #15  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Classic1
Hi John,

Unfortunately, that is a New Old Stock GM item left over from original GM service replacement inventory. No black available any more. At this time, a used set will probably be your best bet. Also, thank you for the comment regarding the community on the History/Restoration board. It's always very helpful to speak to the enthusiasts who are "hands on" any particular vehicle. We will remember that.
Thanks Ray,

We are very excited to see new products for our cars.

John
Old 04-08-2015, 12:05 AM
  #16  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Well I picked up a set of used 4th gen belts and as always, used parts disappoint. So I have ordered the Classic Industries 3rd gen belts. I will transfer the 4th gen shoulder belt lower plastic to the new repro belts. Hopefully that should get me exactly what I am looking for.
Old 04-18-2015, 12:36 AM
  #17  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (2)
 
87350IROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
Car: 87' IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: T56
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Some more info on the Classic Industries reproduction seat belts can be found in this new thread.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/inte...ml#post5904839
Old 03-27-2016, 04:57 PM
  #18  
Junior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
gstspydr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Virginia Beach VA
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1992 Camaro Z28
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by 1991_RS
Just a quick note for anyone wishing to replace their receivers (but not the retractors). The 4th Gen receivers will work fine, but you will want to trim the plastic sleeve at the bottom where they bolt to the floor. The 3rd Gen and 4th Gen bolt in at slightly different angles. By trimming the plastic, they will no longer stand up on their own, but once the seats are installed, they stay in place between the seat and console just fine.

I know not everyone wants to mod a 4th Gen receiver, but this post was meant for those who do want to.
Thanks 1991_RS.. I've been wondering this for a long time. If I understand correctly, replacing the third gen receivers with forth gen ones will work. I wasn't sure if the buckle styles were compatible and would latch. There's an abundance of forth gen ones in junk yards all other locally where third gen ones are always cracked or too much for my little budget.
Old 03-28-2016, 09:39 AM
  #19  
On Probation

 
sonjaab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Syracuse NY
Posts: 1,588
Received 18 Likes on 18 Posts
Car: 84 Z-28
Engine: 305 HO
Transmission: r-700
Axle/Gears: 3:73
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Male reciever end with sleeve replacements can be found at your local
pic n pull yards from mostly any 70-80s GM vehicle.


Old 04-01-2016, 10:42 AM
  #20  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
Veaceonee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Car: 88 GTA Notchback
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: don't know
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

I have done this swap. I used the belts out of a 95/96 Firebird. Then I got PASSENGER side (driver side won't work) receivers out of a Sunfire/Cavalier. I have a 4th gen center console and the Cavi receivers match the console perfectly. Topped it off with 82 Sill plates. Works like a champ, the sill plates cost me more than both seat belt sets.
Old 11-23-2016, 05:30 AM
  #21  
Senior Member

iTrader: (4)
 
Lucid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Posts: 813
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 Camaro Z28/ 87 Camaro IROC Z28
Engine: 5.0L TPI LB9 / 5.0 TPI LB9 w/cam
Transmission: Built 700R4 with Transgo shift kit
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9 bolt Posi/ 2.73 10 bolt Posi
Re: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts

Originally Posted by Veaceonee
I have done this swap. I used the belts out of a 95/96 Firebird. Then I got PASSENGER side (driver side won't work) receivers out of a Sunfire/Cavalier. I have a 4th gen center console and the Cavi receivers match the console perfectly. Topped it off with 82 Sill plates. Works like a champ, the sill plates cost me more than both seat belt sets.
Do you have pictures of your setup? Also, what year Sunfire/Cavalier?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Frozer!!!
Camaros for Sale
35
01-19-2024 04:55 PM
1992 Trans Am
History / Originality
27
05-10-2023 07:19 PM
sweet_87_iroc
Camaros for Sale
5
09-25-2015 10:01 PM
TRANSAM82-92
Interior Parts Wanted
0
08-15-2015 01:26 PM
scottmoyer
Interior Parts Wanted
0
08-09-2015 10:18 PM



Quick Reply: 4th gen/3rd gen seat belts



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:22 PM.