The left and right seatbelt ratchet mechanisms are not interchangeable. They have inertia latches to lock the belt in case of impact, statistically in a frnt collision. Your post said you weren't interested in spending money on the problem, but we all think your safety is worth replacing the seatbelt. Either the fixed racing belt, as planned, or the factory style to get you by until then.

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1987 Raider - Roxy
1988 Mighty Max 2.6L Turbo - Pearl
1997 Mountaineer V8 - Freddy
2000 Excursion V10 - Freya