| Author |
Message |
Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member
Username: Lloyd
Post Number: 41
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 8:18 pm: | |
Rob, I wasn't clear in my statement of what the Houston dealer told me. They indicated that the shoulder strap holder was not sufficient, but they would be glad to install something that would serve the purpose of supporting a harness. I did not discuss in detail what they proposed, but perhaps it was something along the lines of what you saw.
I got brave and pulled away the trim in the area above the shoulder at the end of the passive restraint track and did note a large bolt which also appeared to support the passive restrain track. Is this bolt the one you were referencing as the mount for conventional belts? |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 82
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 8:22 am: | |
The US cars with passive restraints also have the mounts for conventional belts. They're under the trim exactly where you'd expect them, just over your shoulder on the B pillar.
Houston must not remember modifying a black 512TR in 1993 or the tech that did the mod may not work there anymore. |
Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member
Username: Lloyd
Post Number: 40
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 11:46 pm: | |
Adam, thanks for the info. Per Rob's suggestion, I called the Houston dealer and they also believed that the luggage bracket was not sufficient for this purpose. Your harness bar is interesting, but I don't see where I could attach it. I do not see any "D" ring posts on my 512TR. All I see is the track and a leather trimmed box covering some part of the mechanism. As my passive belts still work I am reluctant to dig around them too much to see where I could attach the bar. I will email you so I can learn more about your system. |
Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
Member
Username: Icnsltmfg
Post Number: 515
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 9:27 pm: | |
Lloyd...That bracket is not strong enough for the harnesses. You can do two things. One is drill through the area infront of the backlight window and put two eye bolts in, the other is what I am doing, is having a harness bar custom made (about $120) that bolts into the two "D" ring seatbelt mounts on the "B" post and then put mounting points behind the seat. This causes no damage to the interior and is safe. E-mail me if you would like to know the guy who is taking one of his P-car bars and making it fit my TR. |
Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member
Username: Lloyd
Post Number: 39
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 4:29 pm: | |
Rob, The Euro F40 seat is exactly the seat that I have. The height (meeting Ric's concerns) and centered location behind each seat of the metal bracket supporting the package shelf restraining strap is what made me think that this bracket "may" serve dual purposes. I will try calling the Houston dealer on this issue, but I would like more than just a "yea it should work" from the dealership. Any input from some of the Euro 512TR owners, whose cars don't employ the track type mouse shoulder strap, as to how their shoulder straps are mounted would be appreciated. Thanks again |
Ric Rainbolt (Ricrain)
Member
Username: Ricrain
Post Number: 374
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 2:37 pm: | |
One often overlooked aspect is to make sure that the shoulder belt harness attachment point is as close to level with the tops of your shoulders as is possible. Too far below, and you will simply not be protecting yourself, especially in cars with a two piece seat (like most Ferraris have).
I've seen people race with the shoulder belts attached to the floorboard, going up and over the seats. This is wrong in a very serious way and is actually worse than the OEM seat belts. |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 76
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 2:11 pm: | |
This is not my recomendation, but I saw an installation that Ferrari of Houston did in 1993. They utilized a Simpson Y-type shoulder harness mounted in one point to the fastener area for the package shelf retaining strap, just below the window and centered on the seat laterally.
They also installed a Factory Euro F40 seat, beautiful piece.
On 348, 355, TR, I have reinforced the area directly below the window with plate steel (on the engine side) to spread the load, and drilled holes, mounting forged eye-bolts for each shoulder harness.
Take your time locating and reinforcing a mount. Your life may depend on it. |
Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member
Username: Lloyd
Post Number: 38
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 1:34 pm: | |
Philip, I have seen "harness bars" for sale on other vehicles which have standard shoulder strap mounts located on pillar behind driver, but on my 512TR it uses a mechanical mouse type mechanism in which the shoulder strap mount travels up the door frame. As a result, I don't believe I have a fixed point to mount such a bar. Also I don't want a bar located such that if I am in the car without a helmet that it could be a head injury hazard. Thanks for your thoughts. |
Philip Airey (Pma1010)
Junior Member
Username: Pma1010
Post Number: 83
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 12:52 pm: | |
Lloyd
I am assuming you are subsituting a competition harness for a regular belt. I do not have experience on the 512, but on 308 shoulder belts attach to a harness bar you have to install (goes between the shoulder belt attachment points) and lap belts attach to the OEM mounting points near the base of the seat at the rear. Remember, the mounting points take a massive amount of stress if you are involved in a shunt, so they need to be capable of withstanding the strain - as the OEM points are.
There are many brands available. Simpson, OMP, Momo all make good sets and can be found online.
HTH
Philip |
Lloyd Bemis (Lloyd)
New member
Username: Lloyd
Post Number: 37
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2003 - 11:44 am: | |
I recently acquired a Ferrari racing seat with 4 point belt harness and was considering intalling harness in car. I was told that Euro cars had a four point harness as an option, but I do not know where the chest straps were bolted to the car. There is a small chrome bracket used for the leather strap that holds down the luggage, but I don't know if this was designed to also serve as an attachement point for such a harness. Any suggestions as to brands of harnesses for occassional track usage would also be appreciated. |