Looking to install a 5 point harness in my car and I'm looking for pictures on how it's down while keeping the stock back pad.

I'll be doing this in the very near future as well.

Jen

With or without a harness bar? I'm using a harness bar, and the shoulder belts went it super easy.

Pics are in this thread.

-Josh2

Unfortunately I don' thave any pics, but what I did was locate the anchor bolts in such a way that they were in the gap between the seat and the back pad. I used quick disconnect hardware to clip the shoulder harnesses to the O-ring anchor bolt. You had to be careful to align the harnesses when sliding the seat all the way back, but it still worked pretty good! Eventually the seats and backpad will take a beating from the harness hardware. Do you need your seat all the way back to drive? If not, you can probably locate them a little closer together so they won't rub the backpad....

I don't really want to use a harness bar. I would like to keep things looking as stock as possible.

As for the seat position, I keep it 2 - 3 inches forward of the back pad.

Doesn't it limit rear visibility?

do a search allan.
i searched the other day (because i just got a harness bar), and Trekkor had some nice pics of his 5 point belt installation.

You want to keep it looking stock, but you're going to drill holes in the backpad to mount a harness???

I can pull out the harness bar in 10 minutes and the car will look (with respect to belts and backpad) as stock as when it was new.

-Josh2

Hardly even notice it... Really.

Plus, it's a really convinient location to mount a camera for autoxing...

-Josh2

Plus, it's a really convinient location to mount a camera for autoxing...

-Josh2
[/quote]


Never thought about that. I also didn't know you could swap it in and out that easily.

Got me thinking now...

I've heard rumors to the effect that attaching the shoulder straps ONLY to a harness bar isn't legal with some racing clubs. Using the bar as a "lift" so they sit higher, and the straps are mounted to the rear firewall, is apparently allowed. If you're intended to do track days, I'd check the rules.

I'm fairly sure this is OK for AX with any club, however.

I agree with Josh (once again)
Harness bar is required. Otherwise how do you keep the belts from compressing your spine in the event of an accident. Halness belts should tend at least an inch higher than your shoulders.
Or the belt should NOT go up from it's mounting point to go over your shoulder.
There should also be some sort of method to keep the two shoulder straps close together so as not to allow your shoulders to pass inbetween the two straps.

As with _any_ sanctioned motorsports. Check the rules. Som clubs will allow the harnesses to be mounted directly to the harness bar. Others will require that they be bolted to the firewall. In either event, if you're not using an FIA approved seat, especially if all you're using is a stock seat, you REALLY should be using a harness bar to guide the harnesses.

Joe is right about compression injuries. If the harness is pulling down on your shoulders, you run the risk of spinal compression in the event of a severe impact. The shoudler straps of the harness should pivot from a point betwen 5 degrees below to 30 degrees above the driver's (and/or passenger's) shoulders. This means that if the seat itself is not providing that pivot point (and it shouldn't anyway), that the harness should be mounted at some point either directly behind the shoulders or preferably slightly above.

For us vertically challenged drivers, getting the harness pivot point above the shouders is usually not too difficult. But those of taller stature, you need to be more carefull of where those harness are A) mounted to, and where they pivot from.

-Josh2

Allan,

There are pics in my blog of exactly what you are asking for. If you want pics with the seats forward, let me know.

MW

same here. i have eyebolts thru the firewall, and have the harnesses go up and over the harness bar....

and the block in visability is next to nada

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?auto...=attach&id=5586
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?auto...=attach&id=5255

see the eyebolts and 3" safety washers..
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?auto...=attach&id=4016

Not just spinal compression, I tore both of my rotator cups in my sholders

because the harness was to low. Ouch.

owich.....

i drove mine for a little while like that.... then read about the back issue and got a harness bar..

Michael you have a PM.

Aaron, when are you coming up for the party?

I can use your help.....

when? what party?

what kinda help?

u 2 LOL

I can't win.... when I was putting my harnesses in I asked about a harness bar on this forum and everyone jumped on me saying that the harness bar prevented the harnesses from working properly. I was told by several that it prevented the harnesses from holding you down in the seat. Damned if you do...damned if you don't.

Welcome to the club.....

i think the magic number is 10 to 15 degrees.... the belts can have a 10 - 15 degree up hill to your shoulders and be safe.

my torso is tall enough where the harness bar puts the belts like 1" from the top of my shoulders....

i dont move....

Same here. Maybe I will pick up a bar and see how it works for me.

this may be helpful...

Those are the exact instructions that mine came with. You can't get that angle with a harness bar. At least not in my car with the bars that I have seen. I realize that a persons height will come into play, but I am fairly average at 5'10".

you might be ok... you can only go so high on the firewall with the eyebolts...

id err on the side of being a little loose on top than being a little "paralyzed"

Allan, I sent you an email. let me know if you didn't get it.

i want an email lol

C'mon....I honored you in my signature. What else do you want???

ROFLMAO

that is by far the funniest rebuttal i have seen to it yet!


props!

LOL. AA