72 Javelin Questions

pacerman wrote: OK I have another project car, as if I needed another, but it floats my boat.  I will post a project topic later.  I have some questions: Will a 68-70 Javelin headliner board/backer fit a 72 Javelin? Does anyone know who does a good job of rewebbing seat belts and/or will convert the shoulder belts to modern style while still using the AMC buckles? Does a 68-70 Javelin rear window inside plastic molding (the fragile one) fit a 72 Javelin?  Thanks, Joe

When i use to pick parts back in the 80's for my 73 Javelin, i noticed the rear interior panels were different in shape. Even though they may fit with some adjustments, you need to replace all rear pieces to fit properly to each other.

71 to 73 will fit, or 74 if going with a 74 retractable harness, which seems to be what your looking for.

Snake Oyl or any seat belt shop can reweb your belts, just send a complete set as they are for proper fit.

Do not try to have the shoulder harness as an integral part, as it will not store away easily and look sloppy IMO.

Seems like your not thinking of restoration, but mild mods. There is a thread on using later year Dodge seats that have the retractor and belt head built in to the front seats.

CamJam wrote: Boy the '72 shoulder harness arrangement is sure a PITA, and I wonder how safe it is because if you don't keep it cinched tight it will undo itself.  The '69 arrangement is pretty good once you get used to it, with the metal loop that fits over the male part of the buckle.  On that version. the ribbon loop on the adjuster acts like a quick release, so you can quickly loosen it to reach the parking brake or window crank.  On the '72 (and perhaps other years?) you have to remove the shoulder harness just to reach the parking brake. Slightly OT, but I just had to vent, lol.

I guess I am the only one who finds the 71 to 73 belt arrangement just fine. Never had the issue of shoulder harness engagement/disengagement. Half of the time (city) I never used it. Though, I did drive my 73 a lot on the Hwy up and down California.

I can see why most wouldn't care for the non retractable type. My 65 Riviera had a roller adjuster about the size and build (round cylinder) of a 50 cent roll of pennies, that slipped around the belt as a spring retracting clip, to keep the belt slack all rolled up nicely when unused. Mostly to shorten the length by 5 inches or so. It did not have automatic lock adjustment, though its operation is like modern belt adjusters. No shoulder strap was used back then. But the mechanism could be used to assist storing the shoulder strap if wanting to eliminate the folding (to quicken storage) of the strap before inserting on the wire clip.

As for parking brake release... that was done before strapping in. Though, I rarely parked on a grade that did not have a curb or parking block, and my automatic locked the rear wheels for me.