Seeking Simpson restraint installation wisdom

[Claybuster]

Hi All,
I am getting very close to "go carting" my MkIV in my neighborhood for the full system checks. I'm nervous and excited at the same time!
So yesterday I was doing some test fitting for carpet, seats and the restraint system. I was curious as to how much room there was between the inboard seatbelt mount and the trans tunnel with carpet and sound treatment. Not much!
It got me thinking about some questions I had as I was tinkering. Simpson recommends using one of their bushings to allow the anchors on the lap belts to pivot at the mount. Did any of you guys that have graduated or are drivable use something like that?
Also, for those that used the center strap, how did you mount the anchor to the floor? Did you go under the carpet and pull it through a slit, or on top of the carpet? With the anchor mounted at a place that looks like it will be well under the front edge of the seat, is it difficult to adjust the length of the strap if the seat is moved forward or backward (I have the new Breeze seat mounts).
Any tips, tricks and wisdom is welcomed.
Jason

[Al_C]

I have one cautionary comment. My center strap is bolted above the carpeting. The cautionary part is that you need to be very careful about where and how you drill the hole. The four inch tube and brake lines are much further out into the cockpit area than you would expect. That hole may end up being very, very close to your brake line.

[CraigS]

Absolutely the anchors should be able to pivot Think about pulling a paper towel off the roll. You always start at one side or the other so it will tear. Now think about a safety belt where the anchor is locked down at an angle that is not 90deg to the pull on the belt. And think about an accident that can easily generate 4-5Gs of force on the belt. So that belt may be getting pulled by 1000# of force. Look at the anchors in you daily driver and see that they have a very wide range of motion available. Especially since you have a sliding seat mount all your belt anchors must be able to pivot to accommodate the changing angle as you move the seat. Does your seat have a slot or hole for the sub belt? Mine did not so I anchored it out just in front of the seat and ran it up and over the cushion. That gave me plenty of room to adjust as needed.

[rich grsc]

I didn't use any bushings. The nuts are nyloc, I just tighten them to the point I could still barely move the belt bracket by hand.

[CraigS]

Me too Rich.

[cob427sc]

Me 3. Just tighten the nylok so the belt attachment plate is free to rotate.

[F500guy]

I placed a washer between the belt and the bracket so when it is tightened, the wrap around the attachment does not get pinched against the bracket, then tighten until it is snug, but moveable.

[Claybuster]

Thanks, fellas!
I did not even think about the fact that the nut is nylock. I was overly concerned about tightening everything down, and when I did, there was no movement. Putting an extra washer between the mount point and the belt anchor makes perfect sense. That gives me some thinking room. I have the FFR seats with diamond stitch inserts (no belt slots), so I'll take some extra time with the center strap, as again, I didn't consider where the brake line was running. Every time I drill through something, I get a little nervous...(aren't we supposed to?).
Thanks so much for the direction.

[Avalanche325]

Since you mentioned "For those of you that use it". Please always use the center belt. In the upright position of our seats, it keeps the lap belt down off of your vital organs.

[Claybuster]

Indeed! I will definitely be using the center strap. Just need to work through how I will be installing.
Thanks again!