Here's something else thats been bugging me for awhile.Get out of the truck and the seat belt retractor won't pull the belt back. Is this a no good worn out unit?

 

Pretty standard after 30+ years.

Sometime just tugging it and helping it, self retract is all it needs.

If it really bothers you, then swapping to out for another one that works better is an option.

 

Yea It's not that big a deal for me but no matter how many times I tell others it falls on deaf ears.I'll be pulling my interior apart as soon as good weather gets here to do some electrical and put my new carpet in so will take care of then.

 

These guys rebuilt and re-webbed my seatbelt. Very happy.

Aftermarket & Replacement Seat Belts | SeatbeltPlanet.com™

 

I have seen where you can clean the belt and lube the mechanism which helps. The dirt and crap in the belt causes most of the problem.

 

I'll probably do that. I'm pulling the interior apart for new carpet,fix some electrical and more insulation and pulling the dash insert for some small projects.

 

Today was sunny for most of the day considering we had a hail of a mornlng. So I decided to get started on changing to the new carpet I jut got and adding more insulation. It's going from headliner to carpet,back wall, doubled in the doors. Thank to the free section of craigslist I got 1/2" carpet padding which was an overage from a new house build, so got pass door panel done and doing driver tomorrow. Got enough for the whole cabin+. Have some other things to fix in the dash while the seat is out. And wd the seatbelt retractors. It's getting closer to paint time.

 

I hope your cab does not leak at all when it rains.
I have seen a lot of cabs rot out do to wet jute padding and carpet on the floor 24/7.

I usually rip out all the flooring then install rubber mats on the floor of my trucks. That way I can pull out the mats to clean, or let a moist floor dry out quickly.

 

Nope. Never had a leak, floorpans are still dusted with factory blue. Windshield rubber is tight and dry and door weatherstripping is not torn. I have regularly wiped down the weatherstripping with simple green and then armorall,still looks and works like new. Was thinking about shooting the floor with rubberized undercoating but it seems to be holding up well.Still on the fence about that.Today will be extra insulation behind the head liner and back wall.The last car I had with rubber floor mat was a 56 Ford 2dr post when I was in the Airforce in Charleston SC. It was totally flat black and had a 300 gallon extra tank in the backseat area. was told it was a rum runner from the early times.

 

Cowl Cracks leaking is a problem in a lot of these trucks.

Even after fixing them. Haha.

 

Where exactly do they crack?

 

Mine creaks. Might be the cowel.

 

Pull the trim that runs under the wipers, and then behind the fender.
Almost all the 1st gen I work on have some cracks. The ones that lead to under the windshield allow water to run into the cab, soak the floorboards, Then rot them out.

I have pictures of cowl cracks and my fix for them in my Pop Top Ramcharger build.

 

Yea I was in that area about 6 wks ago when I replaced the wiper bushings. Wasn't much there. I vacuumed it out and washed out all the nooks and crannies then water rinse and dried.All still rust free and crack free as far as I can see. Still a no rust truck.

 

Yesterday pulled seat,carpet, kick panels, door panels, behind seat trim/carpet area and tool tray. I had put foil backed insulation behind headliner previously so I left that.Pulled carpet and just vacuumed and washed the floorpan. Zero rust. Pulled door weatherstripping which is right now soaking in a tub of simple green. No tears in it so it will go back. The only parts that will not be in excellent shape are the factory ramhead floor mats. Can't find those. Had a helluva time getting the screws out of the tool tray but got'em and cleaned.Today over to upullit to get a ds seatbelt assy, mine came apart in pieces. Hope to find what I need and then start putting back togethor. Will get pics after.
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