Fitting harness's with the normal probax seats??
Discussion
Evening all, just after some advice.
I currently have the standard Probax seats in my Exige. I don't really want to have to shed out nearly two grand on the sports seats from a Lotus dealer and I am thinking of getting the bar fitted and then having the harness's put in.
Is there much difference between having that done to the sport seats? do they work as good?
The 'standard' Probax seats don't have the hoop holes, therefore they are thinner, and it does look like the harness strap comes straight over the shoulder just like they do with the sport seats.
It would be quite a saving, even though it wont look as good visually. (wish i'd ticked the sport pack option) I know Hangar111 do simlilar seats for less dosh but, i just dont think they have the quality of the probax.
Many thanx.
I currently have the standard Probax seats in my Exige. I don't really want to have to shed out nearly two grand on the sports seats from a Lotus dealer and I am thinking of getting the bar fitted and then having the harness's put in.
Is there much difference between having that done to the sport seats? do they work as good?
The 'standard' Probax seats don't have the hoop holes, therefore they are thinner, and it does look like the harness strap comes straight over the shoulder just like they do with the sport seats.
It would be quite a saving, even though it wont look as good visually. (wish i'd ticked the sport pack option) I know Hangar111 do simlilar seats for less dosh but, i just dont think they have the quality of the probax.
Many thanx.
The guys at MSAR would strongly advocate against fitting harnesses without guide holes in the seats.
However..........I fitted harnesses to my S1 which had standard 111S seats.
Firstly make sure the harness bar and harnesses require you to bolt the harnesses to the bar rather than the wrap around types. I bought a Hanger 111 Bar and found the mounting points for the harnesses themselves were quite close together. This meant that in the event of the unthinkable I reckon the harness straps coming over your shoulders should tend to pull inwards together rather than splaying out as could happen if the harnesses were of the wrap around type. Some people cross the harness straps behind the seat before bolting to the bar.
Word of warning though - my ex was very slight and I refitted a seatbelt on the pax side as it was quiet possible she might have slipped through the harnesses which didn't adequetly cover her shoulders.
Difficult for me to describe but hope it helps.
Also remember, if you fit harnesses, that the lap belt must be pulled up very tight before you tighten the shoulder straps.
A quick release facility on the shoulder straps is also useful so you can ease the straps to lean forwards at junctions - not ideal as you are momentarily compromising your safety but better than pulling out blind.
However..........I fitted harnesses to my S1 which had standard 111S seats.
Firstly make sure the harness bar and harnesses require you to bolt the harnesses to the bar rather than the wrap around types. I bought a Hanger 111 Bar and found the mounting points for the harnesses themselves were quite close together. This meant that in the event of the unthinkable I reckon the harness straps coming over your shoulders should tend to pull inwards together rather than splaying out as could happen if the harnesses were of the wrap around type. Some people cross the harness straps behind the seat before bolting to the bar.
Word of warning though - my ex was very slight and I refitted a seatbelt on the pax side as it was quiet possible she might have slipped through the harnesses which didn't adequetly cover her shoulders.
Difficult for me to describe but hope it helps.
Also remember, if you fit harnesses, that the lap belt must be pulled up very tight before you tighten the shoulder straps.
A quick release facility on the shoulder straps is also useful so you can ease the straps to lean forwards at junctions - not ideal as you are momentarily compromising your safety but better than pulling out blind.
Thanks very much for the info guys.
Visually the sport seats are the better option, but when your driving, it will make no difference.
I will look into what MSAR have to say, I suppose it will be down to a safety issue. Cant quite think what as they will be very supportive and secure.
Visually the sport seats are the better option, but when your driving, it will make no difference.
I will look into what MSAR have to say, I suppose it will be down to a safety issue. Cant quite think what as they will be very supportive and secure.
ChromeOrange said:
Thanks very much for the info guys.
Visually the sport seats are the better option, but when your driving, it will make no difference.
I will look into what MSAR have to say, I suppose it will be down to a safety issue. Cant quite think what as they will be very supportive and secure.
MSAR say that without guide holes then the belts will tend to splay outwards allowing the occupant of the seat to slip through the straps. I can understand this happening if you used wrap around type harnesses but if they bolt to a bar close together behind the seat and if the bar is such that the shoulder straps come up and over the seat and shoulder before coming down to the lap belt then under tension they should tend to pull together. Lay out two pieces of string in parallel and pull them apart in the middle. Then simultaneously pull the ends of the string: they'll straighten.Visually the sport seats are the better option, but when your driving, it will make no difference.
I will look into what MSAR have to say, I suppose it will be down to a safety issue. Cant quite think what as they will be very supportive and secure.
I was happy with that anyway - make your own mind up mate.........my advice isn't that of a professional......(obligatory safety advice disclaimer!!!!).
Sorry dude, I did not twig you were explaining why MSAR don't approve in your first email. (been a long day)
I totally understand now and thanks so much for explaining for the second time.
MSAR say that without guide holes then the belts will tend to splay outwards allowing the occupant of the seat to slip through the straps. I can understand this happening if you used wrap around type harnesses but if they bolt to a bar close together behind the seat and if the bar is such that the shoulder straps come up and over the seat and shoulder before coming down to the lap belt then under tension they should tend to pull together. Lay out two pieces of string in parallel and pull them apart in the middle. Then simultaneously pull the ends of the string: they'll straighten.
I was happy with that anyway - make your own mind up mate.........my advice isn't that of a professional......(obligatory safety advice disclaimer!!!!).
[/quote]
I totally understand now and thanks so much for explaining for the second time.
MSAR say that without guide holes then the belts will tend to splay outwards allowing the occupant of the seat to slip through the straps. I can understand this happening if you used wrap around type harnesses but if they bolt to a bar close together behind the seat and if the bar is such that the shoulder straps come up and over the seat and shoulder before coming down to the lap belt then under tension they should tend to pull together. Lay out two pieces of string in parallel and pull them apart in the middle. Then simultaneously pull the ends of the string: they'll straighten.
I was happy with that anyway - make your own mind up mate.........my advice isn't that of a professional......(obligatory safety advice disclaimer!!!!).
[/quote]
I originally had a bolt on bar/harnesses which came over the top of the seat but found that they were too high over my shoulder (I'm 6') and they were rubbing across the seat itself. In the event of a big smash I could see them pulling the seat back as much as holding me in place. Also when the harness ran over my shoulder it was closer to the outside than the inside.
I opted to modify the seats using grommets and wrapped the harnesses around the bar instead. Much better fit and possibly a bit safer.
I opted to modify the seats using grommets and wrapped the harnesses around the bar instead. Much better fit and possibly a bit safer.
A few pictures of my retro fitting the harness slots. I felt the bolt on harnesses where too far spread and likely to slip down in the even of an accident.You can see in picture 20 the difference, unless youre really big shouldered then the guide holes are required imho.
http://s665.photobucket.com/albums/vv17/dunxs1/
http://www.msar-safety.com/detail.asp?p=151&o=...
Having said that, since I fitted the harnesses I haven't used them,they spend their life tucked away over the back of the seat and generally just getting in the way. I kept the existing belts to use every day and find them less restrictive and much more comfortable.
Hope it's some help to you.
Dunx.
http://s665.photobucket.com/albums/vv17/dunxs1/
http://www.msar-safety.com/detail.asp?p=151&o=...
Having said that, since I fitted the harnesses I haven't used them,they spend their life tucked away over the back of the seat and generally just getting in the way. I kept the existing belts to use every day and find them less restrictive and much more comfortable.
Hope it's some help to you.
Dunx.
Sorry for not replying sooner, been on hols.
That's an awesome response to my thread, thanks dude.
I'am getting quoted £2000 for the sport seats, so if I can do this modification with the standard probax seats I have than its game on.
I just need to check the back of my seats....not sure if my car being an 08' the probax will still have the option.
Thanks again.
That's an awesome response to my thread, thanks dude.
I'am getting quoted £2000 for the sport seats, so if I can do this modification with the standard probax seats I have than its game on.
I just need to check the back of my seats....not sure if my car being an 08' the probax will still have the option.
Thanks again.
And if you buy them here they are much cheaper...
http://www.corbeau-seats.co.uk/seat-accessories/se...
http://www.corbeau-seats.co.uk/seat-accessories/se...
I cut the holes with a dremmel and lots of courage. used a scalpel to cut the leather. Just a note, if anyone does get the retro fit grommets as I did- don't be tempted to snap the two halves of the grommet together unless you are actually fitting them to your seat. They are a bit frigile and the locking mechanism between the two halves does not take kindly to being seperated too often if at all, the lugs snap off very easily- I had to glue one of mine, hence the g-clamp in the picture. Once they are fitted they are solid as a rock.
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