How universal are seat belt retractors?

[judeOchop]

I have a bad retractor on the passenger rear of my 4Runner. I pulled it out yesterday to try to wind it, but there was a kink in the spring and my attempts to rewind it unseated the spring from the center connector that winds the spring.

It's easy enough to pull, I figured I'd grab one from a salvage yard - however, there aren't many 3rd gens nearby. So - will a seat belt retractor from a 2nd gen, fit?

I also understand the post-99 models have an explosive squib - will the retractor be useable in my '96 if I pulled on from a later 3rd gen?

 

[KidVermicious]

Are you in/near Salt Lake? My magic eightball says "try Penguin Auto in West Valley City". :thumb:

A retractor is a retractor, if you can bolt it in place it'll work. I can't say for sure that the buckle design is the same between the second and third gen though.

 

[judeOchop]

I live in UT County but I work in Sandy, so WVC is prob doable - though they don't have overly convenient business hours if you work a regular 9-5 (why not open on Saturday?)

Thanks for the tip about Penguin Auto though - I think I was being too lazy in my internet searching...

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm lazy too, I just plugged your info into car-part.com .