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4 Point harness?

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Baz

Baz

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Anyone have a 4-point harness in their Spridget? My inertia reel is useless (it doesn't retract) and it will fail the autox inspection. I had toyed with the idea of a harness, it doesn't have to be space shuttle approved, just sturdy and quick release.
Any thoughts, recommendations and non-endorsements are always appreciated. Ta very much.
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
First:

I'll assume you have a roll bar. Othewise, you'll be wishing for just a lap belt if the car ever rolls over.

And, be sure the shoulder harnesses are secured to a point that angles no more than 15 degrees down from your shoulder. For example, there is a "hump" in your car directly over the rear axle (it seperates the trunk from the passenger area). Bolting the harness mount to the highest part of that "hump" will still make it too low, unless you are fairly short or angle the seat back very far.
My car has a harness bar that bolts accross the tops of the rear wheel wells, but I do not have a convertible top to worry about, and my seat is less than 1" thick. Welding a brace to the roll bar would probably be best for a street car.

I often work tech inspection when our club has "Track Days" (for street cars) and I have a lot of kids that come with bling-bling Hondas, etc that have improperly mounted harnesses. If their car still has the stock three point, we make them use those. If not, we send them home.
By the way, our club does not actually allow four point belts even in they are mounted properly. We require five point to prevent submarining under the belts. Stock, three point belts tend to reduce submarining due to their inherent design.

Honestly, I have pretty mixed feeling about even a three point seat belt in an open car. When I bought my new Miata, I went home and ordered a roll bar the same day. I'm sure lots of folks have a different view on this point....but I won't drive an open car on the street without a roll bar.
 
As I age and realise how lucky I was to make it this far driving LBC's as primary transport, I consider roll bars more frequently. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
"""""? My inertia reel is useless (it doesn't retract) and it will fail the autox inspection"""""""

So it sounds like you have a lap and shoulder three point that came in that car, and have pfactory hard points for mounting?

If thats the case use an aftermarket 3 point....take a look at wescoperformance.com and their three point with a retracting reel sets come in colors....and reasonable $$.
 
What I have right now, is (3-point) off a GM vehicle, unknown which car and which year, but yes, there are anchors.
I think that resource is a good one Jerry, thanks.
Nial, Doc; I don't have a roll bar, but am now seriously considering one if autox is my bag, your opinions are always valuable.
 
Barry if I was going for autox I'd definitely fit a roll bar.I have a set of three point belts from Wesco and they work well.

Stuart. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif
 
I'm trying to 'feel out' components that are easily removable, such as the harness would be 'in addition' to the new 3-point, and just leave eye bolts when not in use, same with a roll bar too.
Right now our club doesn't require a roll bar, and I'm such a novice that the risks at my (very slow!) speeds, are quite low. That being said, I don't want to invest too much money in something that I'm not yet addicted to, or may not be.
IF this becomes something more than a curiousity, then I'll definately get one, and a hardened axle too.
 
Barry, you need to hook up with one of our racing friends, because those 5 point belts go out of service every couple years and have little value to the racers. I've gotten 2 sets that way. I've had a bugeye almost 25 yrs, and this spring, a roll bar is going in. It is something to think about!
 
Barry, If you want a set of blue, Simpson five point belts, let me know. I've got a set here that I had re-webbed in '98, that have never been used. We installed them in a friends racer to give kids a ride at the track one day, but I don't think they were actually used.
Single point, camlock release.
Jeff
 
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