Harness bar

[talonTSIDriver]

If I make my own, I'm going to design it with 2 lower support braces that mount to the lower seatbelt bolts down by the floor board. If I had my own welder, this would be pretty easy really.

I believe that is exactly how the MachV harness bar is setup. If you have access to a welder, and are a decent welder, with a little bit of work you could make your own for under $50. Now if you never welded before, I'd either buy one already made or have someone else make you won. After all, you need to depend on this with your life.

 

[LRS95TSI]

i was actually looks today and most bars including the DG use the lower seatbelt...it actually looks easier to use the upper rear seatbelt...

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

i was actually looks today and most bars including the DG use the lower seatbelt

From the looks of the picture, the DG bar seems to have the lower brace as and adjustable piece. I'm not sure if this is to aid in stiffening the bar, making it more sturdy; or to make the bar adjustable in height to help make it more universal with different types of seats.

...it actually looks easier to use the upper rear seatbelt...

Do you mean connect the upper seat belt bolts, both front and rear, with a bar and then connect those two bars with the actual harness bar (like an "H" shaped bar)?? This would probably be the simplest and most sturdiest way to design the harness bar.

 

[LRS95TSI]

From the looks of the picture, the DG bar seems to have the lower brace as and adjustable piece. I'm not sure if this is to aid in stiffening the bar, making it more sturdy; or to make the bar adjustable in height to help make it more universal with different types of seats.


Do you mean connect the upper seat belt bolts, both front and rear, with a bar and then connect those two bars with the actual harness bar (like an "H" shaped bar)?? This would probably be the simplest and most sturdiest way to design the harness bar.

the lower brace is to push upwards on the harness bar mainly because you don't wanna tighten the seatbelt bolt in hopes of the harness bar staying up...with the lower bar it adds stiffness, rigidity and support to the harness bar.

exactly an H pattern..i've been working on about 5 design, i've machined two of them, but what i stated earlier i have not machined...the bar that goes from the rear to front upper seatbelt bolt will be bolted to each end and then the harness bar itself will have different mounting locations up and down that bar that runs from the seatbelt bolts, not to mention a milled slot for my preferred camera mount to slide from one side of the car to the other...

i should hopefully actually have the seatbelt bar constructed tomorrow if all goes well...it's kind of a side job i have the ability to do at work when i can get my hands on the cnc mill and lathe!

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

I like that idea! The more I think about it, the more I just wanna pay someone to fab one up as per my specs. Post some pics when you're finished, if you could.

 

[LRS95TSI]

yea i plan on it, because like i mentioned earlier, i could have the ability to sell them provided there are no legality issues for myself...

i'm more interested in the camera mount, but have evo 8 ssl leather seats in my posession and may decide to go the harness route.

 

[Project2G]

i don't see this working for alot of people...definately an effective piece and no hate here, just most people including me have the back of my seat positioned further back then where the seatbelt is located, meaning dropping a harness bar directly below the seatbelt retractor wouldn't work because it would hit the seats...

anybody have any insight or advice to what i stated above?

I could not drive my car with the quote unquote ganster lean. I have to be sitting up right when driving a vehicle. Maybe it's because I'm used to always having a bar right behind my racing seat, the B pillar bar in my RS and the 4 point roll bar in my GST.

 

[LRS95TSI]

no i don't mean i'm gangster leaning, just i have to position the lower half of the seat further back for my legs...the upper half is barely reclined if any, but it still positions the seat further back then directly below the seatbelt bolt

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

I could not drive my car with the quote unquote ganster lean. I have to be sitting up right when driving a vehicle. Maybe it's because I'm used to always having a bar right behind my racing seat, the B pillar bar in my RS and the 4 point roll bar in my GST.

Yeah, but when you're 6' 4" like I am with long legs you'll come to realize that your seat needs to go all the way back and in a reclined position giving it the "gangster lean" look. My backseats are for storage unless someone wants to sit behind a "small" passenger riding shotgun.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

My backseats are for storage unless someone wants to sit behind a "small" passenger riding shotgun.

Yea, I'm 6'1'' so my backseats are strictly for looks.

 

[LRS95TSI]

so i thought i'd add my project update:

i made a bar to go from the upper to seatbelt locations while i was at work today...i made it come out of each mounting point and go in/recess towards the window...the bar is a success but i think i am going to make it completely out of one piece milling each side to my discretion. it uses the factory bolts and everything and the bar going from side to side (the actual harness/camera mount bar) will bolt into each seatbelt bar with two 1/4-20 by 1 inch allen bolts...the harness bar will be milled in three separate locations to allow sliding of my camera mount. i should have a finished set of seatbelt bars by the end of the week and have the actual harness bar by next week...then off to powder coat.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Nice... I wanna see pics so that I can full appreciate the work you've done (and maybe copy your design )

 

[LRS95TSI]

oh no ya don't ARRGGHHH!
i'll show a picture when it's done and ready for powdercoat/production! hee hee

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Nice. I actually think I'm going to copy the DG design. I like how that bar is adjustable vertically.

 

[LRS95TSI]

i just don't like the way the lower bar comes off the floor and up...mine actually allows for quick change, adjustments and people to sit in the back seat still.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Nevermind then... maybe I will still copy your design. I'll have to see the pics first in order to decide.

 

[LRS95TSI]

update:
seatbelt bars are done.
i am installing them and taking measurements for the harness bar...the harness bar will be drilled periodically to accomodate two 1/4" push lock ball pins for quick and easy adjustment of camera mount. the harness bar will also be adjustable horizontally on the seatbelt bars with two 1/4" by 20 by 1" allen head bolts.

 

[LRS95TSI]

update:
finally got to put the seatbelt bars in after we had a 14.5 inch snow storm here which hasn't happened in ten years causing louisville to shut down momentarily...

anywho, the bars are in and i need a 43" bar with holes to accomodate the camera mount...should be a sweet and effective setup and easily removable with about 4 allen heads!

 

[snowborder714]

I believe you need to start posting some pics!

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

I believe you need to start posting some pics!

That's what I've been saying!!

 

[LRS95TSI]

i know guys...i haven't posted pictures because i've went through two completely different designs and i just got the seatbelt bars done...i don't really wanna post pictures until the harness bar itself is done...which is hopefully today, dependent upon my machinist and if i get time on the lathe...

there is some discussion i would like to talk about...
i have made everything and put it together with nothing but allen head bolts and no welds at all. however i will not be using it for a harness bar as of right now. if i go to make more of these i need to determine if the allen head bolts are safe or if the harness bar should be welded to the seatbelt bar...because if there is enough interest, i would like to sell these but i don't wanna be responsible/liable for injury or safety, so please discuss/recommend

here's a picture to feed your hunger!

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[95CarbonEclipse]

I would say that for safety, the harness bar should either be welded to the side "brackets" or if the design allows it, remain one solid piece. Obviously this would make it more permanent and negates the possibility of keeping your rear seats as "passenger friendly."

I'm not sure how accurate your picture is of the actuall peice you're making, but I'd be curious of the strength of the material when force is applied to the middle of that center bar (the actual harness bar). I've been talking to a machinest buddy of mine that is into stock car racing and he recommended using NASCAR tubing. It's 1-3/4" in O.D. and .095" in thickness.

 

[LRS95TSI]

yeah i totally agree with you...the piece is fairly rigid, i have it cut to length, just need to drill the holes for the quick connect pins on the camera mount.

i went this route because i don't want anything on the floor and i will be using it just for the camera as of right now...plus everything has been free...the dh harness bar is made out of the tubing you were speaking of....i am a mechanical engineer at an exhaust company...i may look into this idea.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

You could always use the same basic design as what you've got going right now and still use the tubing. You'll notice in the pics of the DG Harness Bar that on each end of the harness bar itself it is bolted into the "L" bracket. It looks like a metal cap was welded to the end and then tapped to allow the bolt to be screwed in. You could always go this route with your design using the tubing. This would allow you to remove the center portion when somebody is just dying to sit in the back of your eclipse. The biggest difference would be that when force is applied to the DG bar it's moving in the same direction as the bolt, where as in your design, the bolt would be subject to more "shear" force. I honestly think that a high grade steel (like the bolts used for camber kits) would hold up just fine.

Then you could use a collar like the one pictured below to attach and adjust your camera mount.

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[LRS95TSI]

i will look into it at work tom...if i go the tubing route i will still come up with something to use the rear seatbelt mount instead of the floor...i refuse to surcomb to using the floor!