Ranger/BT-50/Bravo DIY follow on

Don't know if they did it form financial reasons...... they would have to sell a lot of belts to overcome the engineering and tooling costs, most belts last over 50,000 kilometes and many don't replace belts until at least 100,000 + kilometers when they can't stand the squealing any more.

Belts are one thing most mechanics (dealership and private) or DIYers forget about....... we replace heaps of belts and most customers say we have only had it serviced last week...... it takes 1 minute to check the belts for cracking, glazing or chunks missing.

I would say it was done chasing that .01% better economy/power or noise improvement.

There are many belts on eartmoving and heavy vehicle that we have to buy/stock genuine belts for....... you can get a 10pk 1605 or a 10pk 1645 but the geniun is a 10pk 1625.

On a Mazda 3 there is no adjustment on the Air conditioning belt. It is a stretch belt that you wind on or off over the pulleys. It is still a multi V belt though. Don't know who designed that one but I haven't seen an aftermarket replacement yet. Bob.

Stretch fit belts have been around since 2002 but become more popular in 2004.

Gates Australia carries them.

They were invented for a few reasons...... No adjustable idler pulley, takes up less room on the engine and less noise due to no spring loaded tensioner.

The Volkswagens v10 Touareg has no belts, all driven by gears.