GEN1 door panels

[Granger73]

What are the differences between the GEN1 door panels for US and for export?

[PittsburghRT]

I heard the seatbelt locations were different requiring different door panels but I dont know the specifics. Tom our fuel and lube pro I think could answer best.

[99RT10]

Seat belt location.

[Granger73]

Seat belt location.

Thanks, What is the difference between the two?

[Tom, F&L GoR]

In the US, the 1994 model had to have "automatic" seatbelts, the kind that rolled up into the door. So there were two retractor mechanisms inside the door, one for the lap belt and one for the shoulder belt. The inner door skin had a cut-out in the lower carpeted section for the lap belt and in the black vinyl section just below the base of the door "wing" for the shoulder belt to pass through. There was an additional loop bolted into the upper door "wing" for the shoulder belt so it draped over your shoulder. Obviously, the belts clicked into receivers at the transmission tunnel side of the occupants.

In Canada (assume this applies to all exports) the law said that both ends of the seatbelt had to attach to the frame/body. The lap belt was mounted at the transmission tunnel and there was a single retractor behind the passengers' inside shoulder, the same as Gen 2 airbag cars. This was pulled over the occupant and clicked into the receiver on the floor next to the door.

Compare a Gen 1 to a Gen 2 airbag car and you will see what's changed. There is also a minor difference in that the pull cup in Gen 1 was a separate plastic piece and it is molded into the door skins for Gen 2. Another cosmetic change was the triangle around the handle to open the door.

I bought my car from Canada, so it had to be converted. I ended up with both door skins, but liked the Canadian floor to floor belt better, and converted it back. I have the US skins - for sale! I also have the retractors that go in the doors. Name a price - it's all gathering dust.

A non-US door skin could be converted to US. The cutout in the carpeted section is just literally cut out so the belt passes through. The Canadian car had a plastic cover where the US shoulder belt would pass through, so this would be removed. You would have to add the retractors in the door, but again, I assume all of it would attach to existing mounts. The export cars have a slot in the panel behind the seats where the seatbelt passes through to go over your inside shoulder. If you convert an export car to the US, this slot will be unused.

Hope that all made sense. I have a few pictures, but they are all of the US versions that you probably own. Best to PM me with questions; it's set to send me an email when I get a PM.

[duffman04]

I was looking at importing my Gen1 from Canada. Curious if anyone knows if the seatbelts will need to be changed over even once its >25yrs old? I would really prefer to keep the seatbelts the way they are instead of moving them to the door.

[Tom, F&L GoR]

I was looking at importing my Gen1 from Canada. Curious if anyone knows if the seatbelts will need to be changed over even once its >25yrs old? I would really prefer to keep the seatbelts the way they are instead of moving them to the door.

Two ways to find out: look at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA website or probably more direct answer from a vehicle import/export business. There are many near the border since auto dealers play currency exchange rate games and move used cars back and forth.

[Granger73]

Thanks everyone for your input. Appreciate the sharing of knowledge. Tom, you're the man!!

[duffman04]

Two ways to find out: look at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA website or probably more direct answer from a vehicle import/export business. There are many near the border since auto dealers play currency exchange rate games and move used cars back and forth.

From what I saw on the NHTSA's site it looks like cars >25yrs old are exempt. Maybe I'll just have to wait a few years before I actually import it. I might take your advice though and talk to border broker and see if they know anything more. Thanks!

[Viper Red]

Wow, I had no idea about the seatbelt issue.

[GTS Dean]

I bought a set of BUX (export) panels plus the door stanchion covers for my '93 when I put 5-points in it. I really preferred the clean look and didn't care that they were technically illegal. I never failed an inspection. When I traded the RT for my GTS, I swapped everything back and still have the BUX parts.

[Tom, F&L GoR]

I bought a set of BUX (export) panels plus the door stanchion covers for my '93 when I put 5-points in it. I really preferred the clean look and didn't care that they were technically illegal. I never failed an inspection. When I traded the RT for my GTS, I swapped everything back and still have the BUX parts.

Police, inspections nor anyone else noticed mine either for 16 years.