Race harness application?

bmarchet · 01-27-2003, 07:00 AM

i am upgrading my '70 T with corbeau racing seats, but i am not installing a roll cage. what is the most efficient/safe way to attach a 4 point harness to the car?

what are your thoughts on installing a harness bar across the car from the door pillars where the original harness attaches?

is there an application whereby i can maintain my original belts?

thanks.

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

That works well.

Most harness bars (like the welmeister) in include longer bolts so you can retain your original belts as well as bolting in the harness. Just make sure the upper belts are HIGHER than your shoulders. Attach them right to the bar. IF they are lower, they can compress your spine when you load them.

THere are kits made that also have the longer bolts for the lower belt mounts as well.

I had both for a long time in my street car...

bmarchet · 01-27-2003, 07:15 AM

thanks chris.. i have a question re: the race harness. is the harness bar alone adequate to restrain the driver when loaded? ie: can i attach the harness directly and SOLELY to the harness bar, or is it there only to "guide" the harness above my shoulders thereby making it neceassry to attach the harness to different points in the rear of the car?

APKhaos · 01-27-2003, 07:51 AM

Harness guide bars are just that - they guide the harness straps on their way rearward to their attachments at the rear seat harness hardpoints.

Brey-Krause make a harness truss, which is a triangulated aluminum structure that bolts in the same place as the guide bars, but has the strength to provide mounting for the harness straps.

Take a look at the Brey Krause web site to see the difference between these two approaches.

bmarchet · 01-27-2003, 07:55 AM

awesome. thanks.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by cstreit
Just make sure the upper belts are HIGHER than your shoulders. Attach them right to the bar. IF they are lower, they can compress your spine when you load them.

I'm going to slightly disagree. It is OK (maybe even preferable) for the harness to be lower than your shoulders. You want the shoulder harness to be at right angles to your spine/back. Unless you sit bolt upright the belts will tilt down as they leave your shoulders.
-Chris (the other, slower one)
See Sparco racing belts thread for the original image.

bmarchet · 01-27-2003, 09:06 AM

thanks, chris "the slower"... so you are of the opinion that i should not use a harness truss or a harness bar, but rather a harness guid with the belts attached to eye bolts welded to the rear of the car?

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by bmarchet
thanks, chris "the slower"... so you are of the opinion that i should not use a harness truss or a harness bar, but rather a harness guid with the belts attached to eye bolts welded to the rear of the car?

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Harness bars and trusses are fine. I think you will find that harness bars and trusses place the shoulder belts correctly (slightly lower than your shoulders) when used with normal height seats.

With a harness bar, you run the belts over it and then down to the factory reinforced rear seat belt anchor points. The harness bar ("guide") gets the angle right.

-Chris (the other, slower one)

bmarchet · 01-27-2003, 09:28 AM

got it. thanks.

Wil Ferch · 01-28-2003, 06:11 AM

Wait:
4 point belts...DON'T do it !!
Do a search on this topic for a number of key words...I strongly urge you to use 5 or 6 point harnesses, and if you do, consider adequate roll-over protection because you will be locked-in solid. Unlike a 3 point street system, the 5 or 6 points may actually decrease safety if you get on your head without ( at least) a rear section roll-bar.
--Wil Ferch