Resolved 1988 Mustang Front Seat Belt Bolts

[MDrisc]

Unfortunately car came with most of the interior already apart so not sure about a few things that don't seem to be lining up.

The hole in the interior side panel doesn't seem to match up and be close to where the connection is for the belt on the body. Scratching my head on it as it's pretty far off and panel seems to be right where it should be per pictures.

Not sure if anything changed between years or if something's missing?

 

[89ripper]

Are you saying that your interior trim piece doesnt line up with where the bolt for seatbelt harness goes? Its hard to tell from your pic.

 

[MDrisc]

Are you saying that your interior trim piece doesnt line up with where the bolt for seatbelt harness goes? Its hard to tell from your pic.

Yeah so the hole in the interior trim piece is almost 2 inches higher than the threaded hole on the body for the bolt.

 

[89ripper]

Ok, thats what I thought you meant. Are you even sure you are working with all original interior pieces? I had a look at mine and I just dont see how this is possible unless it was pieced together from other model years

 

[89notchDude]

I believe theres a difference in the 87-89 cars vs 90-93. Thats def the case for coupes when it comes to the rear seatbelts and how the rear seats mount to the car....

 

[MDrisc]

Ok, thats what I thought you meant. Are you even sure you are working with all original interior pieces? I had a look at mine and I just dont see how this is possible unless it was pieced together from other model years

Yeah like I said when I got the car it was torn apart so my original thought was maybe some sort of change in the year. Everything fits perfect with exception of this hole for the belt so it just wasn't making sense.

 

[MDrisc]

I actually just found some information online after changing up my wording of the search. Assuming that this person is correct then this would all make sense. and sounds like I need some different interior panels for my 1988.....


"there were also changes to the rear interior plastics in the hatchbacks and in the coupes, the rear deck was modified as well.

Both of these areas were modified in 1990 due to the "new" rear seat belt deisgns (shoulder harnesses).

1) The coupe rear deck in 1990-1993 Mustangs is cut out to accomodate the rear seat belt retractors and the decorative pods that conceal them. The other part that changed very slightly is the mounting point on the rear interior plastics for the driver/passenger shoulder harness mount... I forget what year, but the hole that is cut out for the torx bolt in the B-pillar is mounted high on some cars and on other it is lower. Since the torx mounts high or low, depending on year, that hole may or may not match properly in your application...

2) in the hatchabcks, the rear interior plastics were changed in 1990 to accomodate the "new" rear seat belt retractors. The seat belt retractors now mounted onto weld in "shelves" behind the rear interior plastics. The plastics actually concealed the seat belt retractor. The seat belt would come through a hole above the rear speakers. If trying to mount pre 1990-1993 rear interior plastics into a hatchback, you will have to discard the weld in shelves, because the 1987-1989 rear interior plastics will NOT fit OVER the welded in shelves, because the design above the rear speakers is not that tall, such as the 1990-1993 plastics are designed. In prior Mustangs down to 1987, the seat belt retractor for the rear seat belts was mounted under the rear seat, in the far left and far right corners. Again, the hole that is cut into the rear interior plastics at the B-pillar, this too may be high or low depending on the year vehicle it was removed from.

Other than that, most interior components from 1987-1993 will bolt right in with hardly any modifications."

 

[Mustang5L5]

Looks like you have 90-93 interior panels.

This is one of the changes that was made within the 87-89 and 90-93 interior spans. The front seat belt shoulder mounts are about 2" higher than pre-90 cars. You can see this in your photos.

Really the solution here is to do cleanly drill a new hole at the proper level so you can mount the belts in the original location. You can likely source a rubber grommet to fill the open higher hole.

But for the most part an 90-93 interior in an 87-89 is straightforward. It will all swap in with a few minor concessions.

I have a 90-93 interior in my '88 if you need any specifics

 

[Mustang5L5]

FYI here’s my final result of the 90-93 black panels in my ‘88.

Drilled a new hole and just added a grommet.