Seat Belt Mounting Points question

[Rodster]

I "dry-fitted" my Kirkey high back seats this weekend. Mostly to get an idea where the seats need to go and to adjust pedal comfort.

Question -
The seat belt mounting points look weird. On the driver side seat, the left side seat belt mounting point looks fine, nice and in-line with the hole in the seat, like this:

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But the right side of the driver seat has the mounting point in the center, so the belt must go around the back of the seat and then through the hole on the side - here is a picture:

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Is this correct, and do I just route the seat belt webbing around and into the hole?

And - where is the mounting point for the "submarine" belt? Does that also mount to the center mounting point behind the seat? This would route the belt under the seat and then up to the crotch area, correct?

I am assuming the shoulder belt mounts to the round tube (part of the roll cage) behind the seat.

Pictures of what you did would be great.

BTW - I used Summit adjustable seat mounts and Kirkey seat mounts like these guys did: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/21-ffr-type-65-coupe/246344-kirkey-seat-mount.html

Thanks,
wayne

[CobraKai]

Hey Wayne, I see nobody has commented on this yet and I was wondering the same thing. I am assuming you just run it around the seat and through the hole. As for the submarine belt I would do some research to see if you want to use it or not. I have been told by many experienced people that they can do quite a bit of damage "down there" in the event your body goes that way. A 6 point harness would be musc better. I opted to use these:

http://www.schrothracing.com/competition/profi-asm/profi-II-asm

They are DOT, and street legal. Unlike the simpson harness. Although I've never heard of anyone having a problem registering because of them. They also have a regular release button. Not as cool maybe, but in the event someone needs to get you out of the car, they would be able to do it easily. They also have a stitching in the shoulder harness that tears in the event of an impact. Your body leans forward just a bit and keeps you from submarining. This eliminates the need for a 6 point harness. Although you can add them if you want as the locking mechanism accepts them.

[CraigS]

My MkII roadster was similar on the right belt mount. I ended up making a mount on one of the diagonals in the side of the trans tunnel. My thoughts on the crotch strap are these. In our upright seating position the main purpose for the strap is to keep the main belt from riding up when you tighten the shoulder straps. If there is no crotch strap the main belt rises enough that it is gripping your intestines, liver etc. This can cause serious internal injury. It should be gripping you hips. My crotch strap mounts to the floor a little forward of the hole in the seat. When I use all the belts, I tighten the main belt super tight first. Second I tighten the crotch super tight. Then I tighten the shoulder straps reasonably tight but less than maximum. My 2 cents only.

[CobraKai]

Thats some good stuff Craig. I haven't gotten my belts in the car yet, but I am curious now as to who the lap belt will sit when the shoulders are tightened. Might need the 6 point after all!

[Rodster]

Thanks guys. I will figure this out. Probably will mount an eye bolt under the seat somewhere... CraigS - thanks for the good info. There are other discussions on the multiple point restraint systems as well as how these things should be routed and used. One alternative could be to just use Hank L's jacket........

[jkrueger]

The sub belt in a 5pt harness should be mounted in-line with your torso (basically the forward hole in the kirkey seats). The subs in a 6 point get mounted farther aft (basically the rear holes in the Kirkey seat). Go to the websites for the manufacture of your belts for more info. I bought a 6 point harness for my latest race car build thinking it would help with comfort and safety "down there". It was slightly better than a 5 pt but not much better.

The right side main belt point is definitely in a weird spot. I just used the stock point since a mount farther inboard would require welding in some plates to mount to.

JC