Re: Seat belts

[tsm1@domain.elided (Tom Mandera)]

>That's where I mounted the rachet mechanism for my 3 point harness. You
>might want to think about putting a metal plate on the outside of the
>body for the bolts to go through. I didn't do it but I thought about it
>for added strength.

Good point.  One of those things I wouldn't think of before, but think of
during, and neglect to do it... and fall by the wayside. :)

>>The fixed end will also get mounted at the same place, different bolt to
>distribute the load (it mounts "vertically" as well).<
>
>I mounted my fixed bolt to the original location next to the seat.  That
>way, all the load would spread over different locations.

I thought about this... but my fixed end has a "vertical" orientation to it,
and thus I'd do some bending to attach the mount flat, then bend the rest up
to point vertical.  Thus, I was thinking of mounting it to the rollbar mount
bolts as well.

Also, by putting both mounts (and the D) on the rollbar, I imagine that
avoids people getting tangled while trying to get to the back seat... the
whole belt assembly can "lie flat" against the rollbar, vs. that trecherous
triangle that would be formed if I put the fixed mount at the seat, and the
ratchet on the rollbar.

Maybe if I use the backing plate, I'll feel good about mounting both pieces
of the harness to the same general area.

>I would think that you would be safer using the 3 pt harness instead of
>the stock seat belts. Even offroading. I would just go ahead and replace
>the stock belts completely. You can always put em back.

For now, the stock belts will stay... maybe more because I don't want to
waste the time removing them... and I don't want to use a torch like I did
last time... ;)

The 3pt should always be preferred.. but I've met individuals that simply
refuse to wear a 3pt belt system... in the '72, with the old-style 3pt
belts, you can choose... lap belt, or lap + shoulder.  Of course, it was the
non-retracting shoulder harness, and I'd always tighten the belts up so
tight (safety, y'know) that I couldn't pop the parking brake release... ;)

Thanks, Ken.

-Tom