Fitting the harnesses

[Wh1teLeopard]

Since we installed bucket seats it became impossible to use the exsisting seatbelts, so we installed some harnesses.

I thought I'd post this up as it took a lot of brain power and time to fit them correctly so may be of use to others.

We originally went for fitting them on the panel below the back window, however when we drilled through and bolted one on the entire panel flexed easily just from pulling it by hand!

So we decided to look upon where the original seat belts had been mounted. They were mounted onto the panels by the inspection panel, and reinforced with steel.

So we mounted the harnesses on those panels with reinforced steel backing it up.

The passenger side harness had to be mounted on the inspection panel, we did a couple of tests with it prior to installing the harness, and were happy with the results. No flexing and no widning of the holes.




The bottom of the harnesses were the hardest brain power wise, whilst one side could freely use the exsisting hole for the original seat belt, the problem arose with what to do with the side that needed attaching to the tunnel!

The tunnel isn't solid, and without any visible access inside from above or below, who knows what's in there lol

Eventually we struck upon a plan, by using a metal rod, we cut it to the width of the tunnel, found a suitable place (using a drill and a whole lotta luck), drilled and tapped the ends, then mounted the bolts there. This provided both the force of having the drag the bolts forward through the tunnel walls in the event of a front end or rear collision, and the forces of having to pull against each eye bolt in the event of a side collision.

[Wh1teLeopard]

I also cut the rear panel behind the seats, to allow the harnesses to pass through clearly without obstruction.

[TADO]

hey emily
wow - looks like a bit of a fiddle - they look great from the pics tho!
glad you managed to work out something safe.

we've still got all this to come but were hoping to work something out round the roll cage/bars once that goes in.

[Steve_M]

My only concern would be the rear mounts on the engine cover. that cover is actually only held on with small bolts. don't wan tin an acident the cover coming off and hitting you in the back.

would be better getting a steel bar made up that goes across the car fitted to the two seat belt reel holes, this would be similiar to how an Elise fits harnesses with an extra bar put in between the roll over hoop.

Elise harness bar

[Wh1teLeopard]

We did think about that, but the panels that the original seat belts were attached to are only held on by even smaller bolts.