20 replies to this topic

[barrybethel]

I promised to post details of the harness bar that Michael at Tollbar Racing was making for me last week. Sorry for the delay chaps. I can honestly say I am over the moon with it. It simply bolts in to the car using the existing upper seatbelt mounting points. It does not require any mods to speaker pods or trim, and still allows the seat to slide almost all of the way back(the bar runs flush with the head protector thingys). The bar is made from cold-drawn seasmless tubing, is mig welded and uses high grade steel bolts to mount the harnesses. Mine is powder coated black and on my black car looks the dogs. Michael was adamant that the lower seat belt mounts could not be used to adequately mount the harness lap belts so he has welded (very very neatly) additional brackets to the seat frames. These work well and are only visible if you look closely. Perhaps the best thing about the whole installation is the fact that the standard seatbelt is retained so you can still use it day to day, and also use the harness on trackdays without having to spend hours each time bolting it in and out. I will try and post some pictures but I need to borrow a camera and wait for some daylight non-work hours so it could be a while. If you go to Hethel though you will see it - black n/a with oz suoerleggeras. If anyone else wants one ring Michael direct on 01629735176. I don't know how much they will cost- he hasnt billed me yet. All I can say is ring and ask him.

[Thorney]

Well done mate, I will certainly be in contact for maybe ordering a load for the club.

[barrybethel]

Here are some pics. Not great as my mate just took 'em in the dark and the rain but you get the general idea. The harness itself Michael loaned me. He has a box full, and this one was I believe from a single seater he used to run. He will be ordering me a made to measure one in black this month which will look nicer. Obviously the bar has provision for a passenger harness if you want one (as o/e belt remains you dont need one so I will save myself the dosh) and for taller drivers( I am 5'10'') you could mount the harness above the bar rather than below it. Sorry you cant see the seat frame brackets but trust me they are really neat.

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[rubber]

Well done mate this is something a lot of people have been waiting for. I for one am very interested, lets hope the price isn't to high. well done you Ian

[toreide]

I would also be interested in something like this. But I have one very bif concern. How will this setup fare in a crash? Will I be better of with the standard seatbelt? At least I know that the mounts won't snap or twist. Tor

[speedyK]

Michael was adamant that the lower seat belt mounts could not be used to adequately mount the harness lap belts so he has welded (very very neatly) additional brackets to the seat frames.

For those of us in mainland Europe, could you please give more details on this point as we would have to get this done separately.

As has been said, many have waited a long time for a bolt-on solution. Just a pity that this detail is not simply bolt-on – but understand that the supplier must be happy with what he is delivering, as he is responsible for ensuring that it is fit for the intended purpose.

Thanks for your efforts and have fun trying it out

[garyk220]

Speedy, an alternative may be to use the 340R subframes? These have the double bracket on both sides of the seat (as opposed to the outboard mounting only on the standard frame.... difficult to explain, but you'll see what I mean if you have a look on your car). This allows you to use the harness mounting bolt on both sides of the seat. Another benefit of these is they are fully seam welded, as opposed to spot welds only on the standard subframe. Since it's a Lotus part, it may not be cheap, but it would give you a bolt-in option for the lap belt mountings. Gary

[speedyK]

alternative may be to use the 340R subframes?

may not be cheap

Thanks Gary. That sounds like a sensible solution that is easy to realise.

[Ricky2772]

Michael was adamant that the lower seat belt mounts could not be used to adequately mount the harness lap belts so he has welded (very very neatly) additional brackets to the seat frames.

it is not so with sparco/omp 4-point belts.
....I use the lower mounts (very thick bolts) and my body (5,10) feels totally strapped in.....

[speedyK]

Ricky, Did you fit them yourself after that guy made the harness bar for you? If so, have you shown them to any expert to see if they approve of your solution? Just a thought as this other guy is clearly not happy. Being careful, as is my wont... merely feeling "totally strapped-in" is a bit subjective Want it all to work when (if) it has to, whichever solution I use...

[Ricky2772]

being those two lower mounts specifically designed for SAFETY BELTS, (and having more load to carry, being 2 out of only 3 available) I don't need an "expert" to tell me "ok, approved"... ...and they withstood my last crash with my 95 kg friend strapped in....... I'm not sure if any of you guys ever inspected such mounts and bolts, I think the fabric straps would break ahead of them... the guy do not like those probably cuz the belt attachment do not fit well inside. they are also a smidge low, but we are nitpicking here....shoulder straps hold most of the weight anyway.

[speedyK]

the guy do not like those probably cuz the belt attachment do not fit well inside.
they are also a smidge low,

So you were able to fit your belts without too much trouble to the standard mounting points? In that case, your argument seems sound to me.

Hmmm... seems strange that this guy goes to the trouble of welding on new bits if you can use the available ones.

Think we need a bit more explanation from barrybethel as to what reasons he was given...

[barrybethel]

Hello chaps. I think Michael welded on the extra mounts to the seat frames because it was very awkward to mount the harness to lower seatbelt mounts, not necessarily because it is impossible.....I bet you could just buy the bar and use existing lower mounts but it would take a bit longer to install belts each time. My solution means I have the seatbelt and the harness in the car togeather so I dont need to mess about bolting anything in and out for trackdays. By the way I have total confidence in the safety of the arrangement - Tollbar Racing are, as the name suggests, a race team and over the years have prepped a lot of cars which have later been shunted - as race cars often are - and the cars have always stood up well.

[Ricky2772]

So you were able to fit your belts without too much trouble to the standard mounting points?

I dunno how willan belts attachments are shaped, but sparco/omp fits perfectly sandwich-ed between the two lower mounts, while retaining the 3-point belt of course....

[SILVERSPEED]

I've booked mine in at Tollbar for early January . Michael is aware of the concerns mentioned on here about the mountings but having chatted it through with him he is absolutely confident in what he has done. They know how important these harnesses and mounts are. Mines in for driver and passenger - can't wait - and all for a few hundred quid.