Is it safe to use a harness on a car without a roll cage? I've heard that harnesses are not recommended if you don't have a roll cage and to stick with the stock seat belts for track use.

I know Sparco makes a harness bar but what are the other choices and what harnesses are people using. thanks

 

I think the general consensus of this group is not to use harnesses without a cage, and not to cage the car if you drive it on the street. Of course there are plenty of exceptions and other options, but it boils down to whether or not you're willing to take the risk with either setup. I use the stock belts, but will trying out a cg lock soon.

 

CG locks work great... I got one for free from Frisby Tire.

n

 

thanks for the info

 

btw - I use a 5 point 3" Sparco camlock harness and harness bar.

n

 

I have the harness bar on order and I have the 3-inch 4points laying in my living room.

Call me or pm me...we need to catch up!!

-Vince

 

You can use harnesses without a cage, but the trick is to MAKE SURE they are anchored correctly, and with the proper angles. For instance, to use a five point correctly, you 'really' should cut a whole about 4 inches into your seat, for the sub to come up, but I have yet to see someone do that. And before I get flamed, this was the words of one of the Simpson guys, when I took my car to have it evaluated.

 

Not trying to flame here, but did you ask them about the rollover risk with a harness and no cage? Once I thought about using my spine to hold up the car should it should flip, I changed my mind about using harnesses. :eek

 

I have only used the ones in my car for Auto-X racing. Where there's a next to nothing risk of rolling over. I've never used them on public streets.

 

And in that same scenario, I have seen roll-overs so bad, stock belts released, and let the person fly out the window, getting crushed, so it goes both ways.

 

lol exactly the whole thing goes both ways.. get into a head own or side impact crash and id much rather have my 3" cam clock sparco harness and harness bar.. for one the bar stiffens the frame and may prevent the side from being completely crushed in.. on the other hand in a severe.. and i mean very bad roll over your neck might snap, however if you roll over that bad 50% you will be dead anyway. I dont usually wear my harness on the street unless im going to a meet or a spirited drive.. wearing the harness makes you a better driver.. you remain in control of the car when pushing it to the edge. Now with that said what do you think is more safe? I wouldnt recommend my set up for the track unless you are really taking your time out there.. i wouldnt ever push my car that hard on the track, however its perfect for autox.

 

You haven't been to enough yet I have seen many odd accidents at auto x including a rollover.

They also use the local roadcourse as auto x venues on occasion.

Mattj

 

When I had harnesses in a previous street/track car I only used the harnesses at the track. They are kind of a pain in daily driving and plus they were red so I kind felt goofy driving around with 3" red straps over my shoulders. Guess I am just not hard-core enough.

-Ron

 

Good to hear someone else is educated about the proper mounting of the sub strap on the harnesses. If you go to the how-to forum and read my post under the 5-point install, you get all the technical jargon. I used to work for Schroth USA installing belts and whatnot into every type of car, including 15 NASCAR drivers' cars. Without a hole in the stock seat, you cannot safely run a 5 or 6 point belt. You don't necessarily need a harness bar for shoulder straps...of course it helps, but by mounting them to the rear seatbelt anchor points, the angle is suitable enough to prevent spinal compression. When I get back home AUGUST 19 from working all over the gd country, I'll post picso f my factory seats modified for the sub strap.

 

That's a pic I want to see.