Harness for seats without headrest ?

[Paraman1]

Maybe my Google-Fu is off this morning but I am struggling to find a safety Harness to use with seats that do not have a head rest . I have been looking at 4 point harnesses since the seats don't have provisions to properly install a submarine belt but may be missing something to ad a submarine belt . All this stuff is new to me so any help you can provide I would be grateful for .

[jerome]

Headrests are important safety equipment to prevent rearward movement of the head in a collision. I would strongly recommend installing seats with headrests. If you are going to install harnesses, you should have rollover protection (roll bar or roll cage) and fixed back seats designed for harnesses (shoulder harness holes and anti-submarine strap holes).

[Paraman1]

So if I am not installing a cage I should just run a lap belt ? This is a street car that may occasionally be auto crossed or taken to the drag strip . I am simply looking for something that will hold me in place better while auto crossing .

[jerome]

You should install 3-point seatbelts, they are much safer than just a lap belt. 3-point belts, along with a proper seat with headrest would be best for your intended usage. Headrests are very important pieces of safety equipment for preventing whiplash in rear-end collisions - I would not recommend driving it without first fabricating some headrests or installing seats with headrests. Budget reclining seats from Summit Racing or from Corbeau will be far safer and hold you in place better than your current seats.

[killer69]

So if I am not installing a cage I should just run a lap belt ? This is a street car that may occasionally be auto crossed or taken to the drag strip . I am simply looking for something that will hold me in place better while auto crossing .

NO ROll Bar and NO Cross Bar means NO 4 point harness. there is NO acceptable place to mount the shoulder harnesses it will be more dangerous than with out. look at Morris Classic Concepts they have a retro fit 3 point system that is not bad

[Steve Chryssos]

Yup. Without a cross bar as an attachment point located just below the shoulder line as per the instructions, the harness belts will be wearing YOU for protection.

[Paraman1]

My understanding is that for drag racing you can use the factory original seat belts or a rated replacement . Since my car didn't come with a 3 point system from the factory I don't believe I can install one (since there is no factory mounting locations) and still pass tech . I will have to get ahold of a buddy of mine and see if he can shed some light on the subject .

Thanks for the replies everyone , I assumed since their seems to be numerous cars on here running a harness bar for autocross that it was an acceptable practice .

[jerome]

You are worried that you will not be able to pass NHRA tech by installing a 3 point belt instead of staying with a lap belt? I doubt that is the case, but I would not think twice about "violating" that rule and taking my chances at tech. You can install 3 point belts in your car, it will just take some cutting and welding. See instructions here (http://www.retrobeltusa.com/v/vspfiles/installmanuals/RETROBELT%2064%2075%20GM%20MANUAL%20050407WEBSENDN OSEC.pdf).

A harness bar and racing harnesses with no rollover protection is highly unsafe. In a rollover collision, the harnesses will hold you upright (unlike 3 point belts where your body can twist out of the way) while the roof caves in and crushes you.

[Paraman1]

You are worried that you will not be able to pass NHRA tech by installing a 3 point belt instead of staying with a lap belt? I doubt that is the case, but I would not think twice about "violating" that rule and taking my chances at tech. You can install 3 point belts in your car, it will just take some cutting and welding. See instructions here (http://www.retrobeltusa.com/v/vspfiles/installmanuals/RETROBELT%2064%2075%20GM%20MANUAL%20050407WEBSENDN OSEC.pdf).

A harness bar and racing harnesses with no rollover protection is highly unsafe. In a rollover collision, the harnesses will hold you upright (unlike 3 point belts where your body can twist out of the way) while the roof caves in and crushes you.

I think we have beaten the "harness will hold you upright" horse to death plenty , I get it .

I don't have a problem with installing the 3-point but since a set of 3-point aftermarket belts costs close to 400 dollars I want to make sure when I do get to the track I don't have some guy from tech telling me that money was wasted and I can't run .

[jerome]

These (https://www.seatbeltplanet.com/seatbelts-and-accessories/3-pt-retractable-lap-shoulder/m.products/25/view/59) belts are far cheaper, and I believe they are good quality. If you call Morris Classic Concepts and mention that you have an application they don't support and ask them who their distributor of seatbelt parts is, they will give you the name of the distributor. I believe this distributor supplies almost everyone that offers 3 point seatbelts, and when you call the distributor, they will tell you who the dealers are.

These $65 belts are probably the same as the $199 Retro Belts, and all you'll need to do is make your own backing plates to be welded in.

[Paraman1]

Thanks for the heads up . Not sure when I am going to do the interior on my pig but I need a seatbelt for my Daughters BMW and their prices are pretty reasonable .

Also looks like they sell the mounting plate I would need . It looks like I would probably have to cut a portion of the pillar out , mount the plate on the back side and then weld the piece I cut out back in .

[BMR Sales]

I think we have beaten the "harness will hold you upright" horse to death plenty , I get it .

I don't have a problem with installing the 3-point but since a set of 3-point aftermarket belts costs close to 400 dollars I want to make sure when I do get to the track I don't have some guy from tech telling me that money was wasted and I can't run .

I think the Best Thing to do is get with the Track or Organization that you will be running with as to what they will or will not accept. Try to get in Writing so when you show up, you can validate what & why you have what you have. Until then, we are just able to make suggestions.

T.C.