factory seat belts?

[BDCCLARK]

Were the 1981 factory front seat belts retractable or just a drop and go lab belt? Mine are floor mounted retractable and the hard plastic casing is broken allowing the belt to retract too far. Some previous owner has wrapped duct tape around the belt to keep the over retracting to happen. They should be replaced. All ideas are welcome. I am really interested in finding something manufactured in the US. Thanks, Chris

 

[FLCJ8]

Were the 1981 factory front seat belts retractable or just a drop and go lab belt? Mine are floor mounted retractable and the hard plastic casing is broken allowing the belt to retract too far. Some previous owner has wrapped duct tape around the belt to keep the over retracting to happen. They should be replaced. All ideas are welcome. I am really interested in finding something manufactured in the US. Thanks, Chris

I don't have any personal experience but it appears all the front seatbelts were retractable.
This is from the factory parts list:

 

[BDCCLARK]

Any ideas on where to get US made replacements? Chris

 

[FLCJ8]

I saved this site for when I get to that point on my build:

1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair

Check out the deal on 1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair at Replacement Seat Belts | Lap Belts | 3 Point Seat Belts

www.seatbeltsplus.com

 

[barrys]

I saved this site for when I get to that point on my build:

1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair

Check out the deal on 1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair at Replacement Seat Belts | Lap Belts | 3 Point Seat Belts

www.seatbeltsplus.com

I don't think you can beat that price(especially since they wouldn't be 45 year old used belts of unknown condition).

 

[BDCCLARK]

I saved this site for when I get to that point on my build:

1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair

Check out the deal on 1976-81 Jeep Retractable Lap Seat Belts - Pair at Replacement Seat Belts | Lap Belts | 3 Point Seat Belts

www.seatbeltsplus.com

That's a fantastic find. Thank you very much. I have zero enjoyment turning cool american vehicles in to chinese vehicles one piece at a time.

Chris

 

[Belizeit]

I got 1 of these for an 84 CJ7. They are pretty good. They shipped USPS. No packaging for protection and just a plain package bag. I heard it being dropped on my tile front porch pretty loudly. Opened the envelope and the plastic housing was broken I Called and they promptly sent another. Told them about no packaging for protection. Next came the same way. I’m one of those that came behind the generation that didn’t throw anything away. So I actually made it work. Works pretty well and a good guarantee.

 

[TexasAg77]

I bought a new '81 '7 in Sept of 80. But honestly don't recall if retracting belt or not... Sorry I can't offer any info...

 

[Dave The Sparky]

Were the 1981 factory front seat belts retractable or just a drop and go lab belt? Mine are floor mounted retractable and the hard plastic casing is broken allowing the belt to retract too far. Some previous owner has wrapped duct tape around the belt to keep the over retracting to happen. They should be replaced. All ideas are welcome. I am really interested in finding something manufactured in the US. Thanks, Chris

I could be wrong but the 81 models must of originally had lapbelts as the early roll bars didn't get the welded bungs for the 3 point seat belts.
Changeover was 82 at some point, presumably the same reason for the halfcab alterations around the same time?

 

[scrambler4315]

I am pretty sure that they didn't switch to 3 point belts until 82 or 83. My 84 8 had 3 point but the 81 I just picked up has lap belts only. I am putting a 4 point setup with a harness bar from Rock Hard 4x4 and PRP harnesses myself. I am not a fan of just a lap belt.

 

[ag4ever]

‘82.5 was the switch.

My ‘82 was originally lap belts only, but the previous owner converted to 3 point using angle iron welded to the roll bar. I changed it to direct roll bar mounts by welding lug nuts into the factory threaded location and use rubber bushings between the roll bar / hardtop / seatbelt. The ‘81/‘82 hardtop has a larger gap between it and the roll bar than ‘82.5 thru ‘85.