truck is on 3rd seatbelt

I have a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT, V6, 4.0L engine.

I have had to replace the driver side seatbelt twice already and the seatbelt has also lost its tension and won't retract. The first seatbelt lasted about five or six years, the two newest ones, about a year and a half each.

I've looked around the internet a bit and have only found a couple of similar situations. The only advice I could find was to just deal with it and replace the seatbelt, but after three belts, it's starting to get expensive. Since it's something that involves my personal safety in the truck, it's not something I want to mess around with.

Is this seatbelt problem a quirk of the truck itself, a design problem, or am I doing something to the seatbelt that's shortening its life? I can't think of anything in particular that I could be doing that's damaging the belt. I keep the seatbelt adjusted to the lowest position because I'm short (5'3").

Thanks in advance for any advice and/or replies.

 

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first welcome to the site, and i have the same problem, mine retracts a little but then just stops, im just dealing with it now and retracting mine by hand

 

Thanks so much for your reply. The problem is, my seatbelt has gone so slack, I can't even coax it into retracting like I used to. Have you had multiple seatbelts in your truck too?

 

i havent replaced mine yet, and maybe there is something wrong with the retractor wheel

 

This is the first I have heard of it. It does sound like a bad retractor, but it can also be the belt becoming entangled in the retractor if it is mounted crooked or loose. If you need more, just ask around here. Some of us go to junk yards and can get them cheap for you. What color interior do you have? I have tan seatbelts I can part with that may do the job for you.

Welcome to the site!

 

welcome to the site

 

Thanks for the reply!

The first replacement was done at a local body shop - it was a used part. The second time I had it done at the dealer - a new part, I presume.

I'd give it a go myself, but even though I'm pretty handy, something as important as the seatbelt is something I'm not sure I could do at home or do by myself.

How involved is the job? It looks like I'd have to take the cover off the back door (It's the bigger cab with the two (Useless!)jumpseats in the back. The repairs cost me about $200 each time.

The interior is grey.

 

Thanks so much for the welcome!

 

The repair itself ain't too bad. I've pulled mine out once or twice. Only I believe three bolts total? It was a while ago so I might have it wrong. Just tighten the bolts down all the way when you're putting em back in

 

It isnt too hard, you have to pop the interior door panel off by lifting up and pulling out. The seat belt mechanism is pretty much a bolt in anchor. They should be easy to swap out, I will be taking apart some back doors I have soon, so if you can wait a little bit, I will do a tutorial for you and the site with pics. For right now put the adjuster at its highest position, pull the belt out til it stops and allow it to retract slow and let it have an even feed. That may help you out a little until I get the instructions written up

 

That would be great. Thanks, Hooligan! Can't wait to see those pics.

 

Anytime...we will get ya all fixed up!

 

Hah! My Daddy will be so proud of his Little Girl!

 

Lol...There is alot more that you can learn. We will have you pimpin out the ranger in no time!!

 

Yeah, what he said ^ lol Big Pimpin' in the house! Haha

 

Can't wait to put some life in the old girl (still looking good at 110K miles, if I say so myself). But really, who doesn't have a few dings here and there after a while? The repairman won't know what came over me!

 

he still needs some 22s on the truck to be big pimpin

 

Thats right!! Show off the truckk too. Put out a picture thread, I'd like to see it. And having 110k on a 4.0 SOHC is like a new engine!

 

Yeah. Just watch out.... The thermostat housing likes to blow out at around 135k lol But you got two and a half years yet lol :thumbsup:

 

No Pete...That is just you