haroldwca
Newbie
This is a new one for me. I'm a 5-year immigrant to GMT 400s, having migrated from Squarebodies, so I don't know everything about these trucks. Yet. I love learning a new project and its product line variants, and now I'm onto my second GMT400, a 1994 Blazer that needs to have everything replaced inside, starting with the front seat belts since neither side works.
I noticed that the Blazer seatbelt housing (the plastic) is shared by extended cab pickups, but not the standard cab trucks or Suburbans. Having spotted and bought a usable set of belts at the local you-pull-it yard in a wrecked EC truck, I bought them. After laying in my garage for a week (the belts, not me), I finally found some free time and installed them. I jumped in the driver's seat to go for a victory lap, and realized that the fastener from the belt would not insert into the receiver, which was original to the Blazer. No, I didn't buy the receivers from the donor truck to save a few bucks. Turned out not to be my best call.
After examining the receiver, I determined there was no obstruction. The fastener was simply too large. I measured the original fastener (Blazer) and the replacement (EC) - there is a 3/16" difference in width of the blade. I will be going to the pick-it yard tomorrow for the receivers from the donor truck (hope they haven't crushed it yet).
I don't really have a question, except "Has anyone else noticed this"? I can't imagine why GM would tool up two different sized seat belt fasteners and receivers for the same product line. It wasn't like this in Squarebody-ville! Actually I am very happy with my Blazer and it's predecessor, an '88 SB/SC. I bought both of these vehicles for a grand total of $2300, and brought both of them back from the dead. They are both now at the "reliable daily driver status" and are taking shape cosmetically as I have time. I'll post some pics when they're done.
I noticed that the Blazer seatbelt housing (the plastic) is shared by extended cab pickups, but not the standard cab trucks or Suburbans. Having spotted and bought a usable set of belts at the local you-pull-it yard in a wrecked EC truck, I bought them. After laying in my garage for a week (the belts, not me), I finally found some free time and installed them. I jumped in the driver's seat to go for a victory lap, and realized that the fastener from the belt would not insert into the receiver, which was original to the Blazer. No, I didn't buy the receivers from the donor truck to save a few bucks. Turned out not to be my best call.
After examining the receiver, I determined there was no obstruction. The fastener was simply too large. I measured the original fastener (Blazer) and the replacement (EC) - there is a 3/16" difference in width of the blade. I will be going to the pick-it yard tomorrow for the receivers from the donor truck (hope they haven't crushed it yet).
I don't really have a question, except "Has anyone else noticed this"? I can't imagine why GM would tool up two different sized seat belt fasteners and receivers for the same product line. It wasn't like this in Squarebody-ville! Actually I am very happy with my Blazer and it's predecessor, an '88 SB/SC. I bought both of these vehicles for a grand total of $2300, and brought both of them back from the dead. They are both now at the "reliable daily driver status" and are taking shape cosmetically as I have time. I'll post some pics when they're done.
