Harness question

[chris240]

Gents

Is it advisable / ok to run a 4 point harness (shoulder straps fixed to a proper bar between the rear strut) with standard shaped seats with no shoulder strap slots. Ive got m5 seats which fit me well and are in perfect condition.

I thought if i could space out the shoulder straps then I would avoid interfernce with the sides of the seat. Im looking to have a rear bar fabricated , but am undecided on If i needed new seats with shoulder staps guides.

[dat2kman]

Road registered?

You will need to retain the original style/type of ADR approved lap sash type belt in the car, to keep Transport and/or PoPo happy.

Track use only? It would be an idea to somehow stop the straps from sliding off your shoulders, i have seen all kinds of stuff used ie race tape, zip ties, neatest is a small loop strap fitted around both belts just behind the two stalks of the headrest, if the headrest stalks are not widely separated.

Other option could be to " cross" over each other, the two shoulder straps, so that they have a "better" direct line of retention, and pass through the headrest stalks.

 

Or, get a seat with the purpise made cut out holes?

The bar running across the strut towers could be modded to have a couple of 2" wide little bar thingys welded on, and you could use the silver double loop adjusters, loop straps over and through bar, back around and through the silver double flat loopy thingy, that then sits about say 6" behind seat?

[PZG302]

Gents

Is it advisable / ok to run a 4 point harness (shoulder straps fixed to a proper bar between the rear strut) with standard shaped seats with no shoulder strap slots. Ive got m5 seats which fit me well and are in perfect condition.

I thought if i could space out the shoulder straps then I would avoid interfernce with the sides of the seat. Im looking to have a rear bar fabricated , but am undecided on If i needed new seats with shoulder staps guides.

 

In my opinion no, if you are going to run a harness you are better off to use a harness with seat designed for it, preferably a FIA rated 3" wide 6 point harness and FIA rated seat, that are both very hard to find complies with ADR's also. You won't be able to stop the shoulder straps from potentially sliding down the seat in an impact no matter what you do, plus the seats are not designed for that type of restraint.

 

Also with the rear bar being fabricated make sure it sits at the correct height so the shoulder straps are at the correct angle, from memory between 5 deg above horiz, to about a max of 30 deg below horizontal. I don't have any photos handy, but the bar in my cage for the harness was above the level of the top of the struts.

 

This is one area where if you get it wrong it can have serious consequences for you.

[chris240]

yes road registered , but I would look to have engineers certification irrespective.

I know about the 30deg rule and would look to having a setup similar to what Dimitri-zedman has in the back of his zed, with the proper hi-tensile eyelets comming off a plate.

hmmmm its all abouth the seats, I have seen plastic guides used, but It sounds like I may need to get some hi-back new seats with the slots to suit my shoulder height as Im over 6' 2"....too many times the slots seem to only suit vertically challenged people 

appreciate your comments.