Seat Belt Retractor - How do you get to it?
 

I have a 94 extended cab truck. The driver's side seat belt retractor is lazy and probably needs to be cleaned or oiled. How the heck do you get to it? It's behind a giant piece of plastic that takes up the rear of the cab. I don't see screws or any way to pull that plastic away from the metal of the cab. What am I missing?

I searched and there is lots of good info on fixing the retractor but not a single post on how to get to it. No info in the FSM either. It must be so obvious that they didn't feel the need to list it but I just don't see it.

I had to unscrew and remove the piece of trim that goes along the door. Then I was able to pop that big piece of plastic off of the wall just by prying, I think.

I did the same thing you are talking about, by turning the rod a few more turns after pulling the belt out, tension got greater and mine has been working great ever since.

Yotatech logged me out and lost my full step by step. Sorry. Don't have 30 minutes to retype.

It's not a minute mod. 4x4 wire is a previous generation. Ours the belt can't be fully separated from the mechanism.

I'd recommend washing your belt too -- removes the weight of all that dirt, oil, and grime. Extend all the way. Tie belt nearest mechanism to a cabinet drawer handle, and wash in the sink. Extend,tie up, anchor mechanism, and put a fan on to dry overnight.

The 93 service manual on the interwebs has step by step for Xtra cab in the body mechanical section. Remove all the back stuff except bottom seats, and then you remove the side panels.

Get the blue trim tools at Harbor Freight -- saves your trim a load of hurt. Be prepared to break/need to replace some of the white trim clips on the side panels. I moved them aroudn so broken ones were nearest bottom door for quick replace. I needed 3 total. YMMV.

And if cleaning the dust and dirt from trim pieces and interior frame, plan on at least a 5 hour project in cramped quarters.

Lastly, consider replace your quarter cab side windows' weatherstripping while all of this is removed. ~$50 total for new weatherstripping.

And lastly here's a pic of seatbelt locations: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/8...773e98b1_c.jpg

Oh, and to remove seatbelt from spring keeper barrel mechanism required a flat screwdriver, needle nosed pliers and a trim tool (the screwdriver likes to snag the belt, so I tried to limit its use).

And if you have a sunroof, you may need put your hoses back in their frame keeper holders -- a slot at bottom of that cubbie hole thing for the hose to slide into to direct closest to that cubbie's drain.