Harness Bar - Opinions.

12th February 2013, 13:06

Been a while since I've been here as I've been busy focusing on my new car (Toyota RS200 Altezza if you're interested)

However, having swapped out all the original track-day bits out the Saxo into the Altezza, I've finally got round to refitting it out for track day fun. While it's my track-hack it's also still my daily drive so wanting to keep comforts like rear shelf speakers/seats etc means a full cage is a no-go.

A new seat and harnesses later, I wanted to fit the harnesses in the correct orientation from the shoulders (easy in the 'Tezz with a solid parcel shelf) as I don't like them running down to the rear belt mounts. SO! Having aquired some chromoly roll-cage tube I got to work making a harness bar.

Two 10mm steel plate brackets spanning out from each end of the bar (so four brackets to four locations in total) locates it to the OE rear belt mounts in the side of the boot and on the C pillar. I managed to space the bar back enough to be able to keep the rear seatbelts fitted.

Rear view

Belts now coming off the back of the seat horizontaly (Also my Jackie Stewart-esque seat

)

Will be trimming the plastic rear pannels to allow me to re-cover the inertia-reel and refit the parcel shelf.

What do people think?

12th February 2013, 13:23

I think you would have no effective seatbelt in a crash.

12th February 2013, 13:34

looks like a death trap to me.

12th February 2013, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamRacing

I think you would have no effective seatbelt in a crash.

This. When struck from the rear, or 3/4 impact, your bar will bend, and you'll instantly have no seatbelts. Effectively the same as mounting harnesses to the standard rear (upper) seatbelt mounting point. For the same reasons, what you've got there is a very bad idea imo.

I see you planned to keap the rear seatbelts too - but with a passenger in the front, how will the rear passenger sit? The harnesses will be across their face?

12th February 2013, 13:38

christ!

wouldn't that rip right off in an impact?

12th February 2013, 13:51

A rear passenger would smash there skull on the bar even in the lightest of accidents!!!

Rather you than me in that car

12th February 2013, 18:01

Cheers guys. I was genuinely after your opinions since this was just a quick build to test the possibilities.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I see you planned to keap the rear seatbelts too - but with a passenger in the front, how will the rear passenger sit? The harnesses will be across their face?

Quote:

Originally Posted by swampy

A rear passenger would smash there skull on the bar even in the lightest of accidents!!!

Realistically the only reason for retaining the rear seats/belts is for MOT/Insurance reasons and rear speaker efficiency on the drive to work. I actually can't remember the last time I had any rear seat passengers in the past year and a half (I've got the big 4-door ricer for that), so this wouldn't have been an issue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuZiZZle

wouldn't that rip right off in an impact?

I would be suprised if it did? Since OE belts are mounted in 3 points, the driver's 4 point harness would be spread over 6 points. That was my theory behind it anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

When struck from the rear, or 3/4 impact, your bar will bend, and you'll instantly have no seatbelts. Effectively the same as mounting harnesses to the standard rear (upper) seatbelt mounting point. For the same reasons, what you've got there is a very bad idea imo.

Yeah the rear quarter impact is my only big concern. In a square-on rear shunt the back of the seat would surely be the factor? But in a 3/4 you can do some C-Pillar damage and possibly compromise the brackets before spinning into a frontal impact with slackened shoulder staps.

I'm guessing you guys would agree that a harness should only be run in conjunction with atleast a half cage?

12th February 2013, 18:21

If i was doing a bar like that i wouldnt do it there

I would loose the seats cut holes into a strutured section and fit a longer bar so its actually into thr shell tje weld up and spreader plate over the top

Still not ideal but no tiny brackets to bend or rip out

12th February 2013, 18:21

I don't like the angle of the straps when done like I'm about to say, but it's better than the rear quarter mounting IMO. Mount the harnesses to the rear floor seat belt mounting points. Do away with the rear belts completely - removing them isn't an mot fail (as long as they are completely removed).

12th February 2013, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon

I'm guessing you guys would agree that a harness should only be run in conjunction with atleast a half cage?

No point in a half cage either IMO.

Seeing as you dont have a safety cell on the important part - IE the driver.

12th February 2013, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

No point in a half cage either IMO.

Seeing as you dont have a safety cell on the important part - IE the driver.

Not a fan of them either for that same reason. It'll be a full cage only when it comes to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I don't like the angle of the straps when done like I'm about to say, but it's better than the rear quarter mounting IMO. Mount the harnesses to the rear floor seat belt mounting points.

That's where they are currently but I find it pulls your shoulders downwards instead of back into the seat. In a frontal hit that can then injure your back.