There are only a few options when it comes to hardware for the safety harness.
- Do you prefer the Lever/Latch aircraft-style latch or the Cam-Lock style? Cam-Lock styles are about $50.00 more but more convenient to get hooked up in tight quarters like a dragster.
- Do you want “pull-up” or “pull-down” belt adjusters?
- You need to determine the type of attachment hardware you need as well.
Thanks to Crow Enterprises for a nice illustration on installation tips to make your racing safer. Notice the angles and especially the proper way to weave the harness through the adjusters.
There are a couple things that are more important than whether your harness is nylon or polyester. Namely, how they are installed and the mounting brackets on the chassis. Let’s start with where they should be mounted, or anchored to the chassis.
Locate the right spot to mount the harness for the driver.
- First the lap belt, with the driver in normal racing position the belts should be as close to the width of his hips as possible to prevent side movement.
Second, the belts should be attached to the frame and not to interior or floor panels. The mounting location for the lap belt needs to be as close to a 45 degree from the floor plane as possible and slightly behind the drivers rear hip line.
Third, the shoulder harness should be as close to level with the driver’s shoulders as possible to a maximum of 10 degrees (about 2”) below the shoulder height. Do not mount them above the shoulders, as it will not limit upward movement if mounted that way.
Fourth, Crotch strap should be mounted so it attaches to a cross member of the frame behind the chest line of the driver and inline with the spine (centered). If you have chosen the six-point harness there will be a dual crotch strap. These should be mounted similar to the single but the ends should be mounted about 14-17” apart (a little narrower than the drivers pelvis). If it mounts in front of the chest line the driver can move forward and slide down in the seat causing the harness to become loose. Do not run the crotch strap over the front of a seat, slot the seat and upholstery (if a stock-type seat) and run the strap directly to the mounting point.-
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