So my driver's side seat belt will not latch in the buckle; it keeps popping out. I sprayed a heavy dose of WD-40 inside the buckle, but to no avail. The buckle plate seems to be permanently depressed into the buckle housing, so maybe a bad spring?

Should I try a swap with the working middle buckle, or try to disassemble the faulty one? Any recommendations?

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1997 Ranger 4-cyl 2.3L 5-speed manual, all stock

No don't screw around with Safety devices, go to the dealer to get "Ford" replacement. The buckle may not look the same but it will work when it's needed...lets hope you never need it!!!
And yes could Swap....if no one sits there...

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2011 Ranger XLT 2x4,4.0 SOHC, 5 Speed Auto, 3.55 Rear. Oxford White.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Torque it down till it breaks off, then back it off 1/4 turn.

Yep, no one sits there. For swap, looks like I'd have to unbolt from the floor.

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1997 Ranger 4-cyl 2.3L 5-speed manual, all stock

Just go to a junkyard and grab one. Clean it up real good and it will be as good as new. And match.

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Looks like it's just one big ol' Torx bolt on the floor and that's it.

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1997 Ranger 4-cyl 2.3L 5-speed manual, all stock

Mines broke too. Apparently fords part wasn't all that great.lol

Sent from my SGH-T769 using FRF App

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1996 Ford Ranger
Ext Cab XLT
2.3 L SOHC
145,000 miles

The latch mechanism doesn't look easily repairable. To the junkyard it is.

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1997 Ranger 4-cyl 2.3L 5-speed manual, all stock

[QUOTE=96Ranger2.3;1163572]Mines broke too. Apparently fords part wasn't all that great.lol

Well your truck is 17years old, and with about 260 work days a year that you prob drive your truck 3 times a day means the buckle has been used around 13260 times. This is assuming you dont drive the truck on the weekends also. I would say that it a pretty full part life.

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Black 2005 FX4 Ranger with a duratrack tires and an aftermarket air intake. 200,000 miles and running strong!

Your trucks a 96 you have to expect a part to go bad when its used 2-3 times daily

Sent from my iPhone 5 using FRF App

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

i'd swap with the middle belt at least as a temporarry fix. the torx bolt is the only thing holding it in there, but it's kinda an odd size.

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2000 XLT 4X4, 3.0, Auto, regular cab - throttle cable mod, K&N drop in filter, taylor thundervolt 8.2 plug wires, autolite sparkplugs, Accel coil pack, AVS Ventshades, Rampage LED tailgate light bar, BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A tires, Trail F/X toolbox, cruse control pod light fix, Cobra 19 ultra II CB, lil wil antenna, pioneer door speakers, expo woodgrain radio bezal, 06+ mirrors & tails, powerdome hood

2000 XLT 4X4 Offroad, 4.0 / auto, supercab - the project truck!

I think its a T50 or T55

Sent from my iPhone 5 using FRF App

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2017 Lightning Blue Mustang GT PP 430/402
CJ Pony Parts Lowering Springs | Texas Speed Longtubes | PMAS CAI | Lund Tuned | Borla S-Type Catback
2013 F150 FX4 5.0 - Sold
1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0 5spd - Sold
2001 Mustang Bullitt - Sold
2005 Level II - Sold
2001 Integra GSR - Sold
1999 XLT - May 2013 TOTM - Totaled

That's what I ended up doing. Agree that the torx bolt is an odd size - maybe only other use is the brake caliper.

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1997 Ranger 4-cyl 2.3L 5-speed manual, all stock