EmilT

I am trying to do a harness mount as easily and cheaply as possible. Please, no "$10 dollar helmet for a $10 dollar head" type comments. I am looking at doing the grommet install as referenced in thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...r-harness.html

What is the feasibility of mounting the harness to the bulkhead behind the seats as opposed to using a harness bar? The shoulder belts would loop up through the grommets and over the shoulders to the lap belt. I can imagine that having the shoulder belts attached to the bulkhead being below the shoulders might not be the safest, but should certainly be more stable than the 3-point.

Lastly, are there any reasons not to drill through the bulkhead to provide attachments for the harness?

Thanks for reading, and if the questions herein are not clear, please ask for clarity.

ErnieN85

The bulkhead contains the fuel cross over for the tanks, it's only sheetmetal (not strong) and I'd want to stay from puting holes or a drill bit near the fuel sysyem

Bill Dearborn

The bulk head is only designed to take horizontal loads from side to side. It cannot handle vertical or front to rear horizontal loads. Even if it was strong enough to take the load it is too low for proper mounting of shoulder harnesses. For proper mounting of harness systems check this publication: http://www.schrothracing.com/docs/Co...structions.pdf

Shoulder belt mounting is shown on pages 24, 25, 26.

Bill

froggy47

Shop around for a used one, many available. It's not about price, it's about correct engineering & safety.

Bill Dearborn

I should also point out that if you are planning on running the shoulder harness around the outside of the seat you may just as well use the stock 3 point which is actually very good. No aftermarket system even if installed by the best fabricator in the world and using the best components will be as well engineered as the stock system. Only the auto companies have the money to properly engineer and test these applications.

If you are trying to have the belts hold you in the seat better you should probably start with using the stock belt's cinch feature which can get the lap belt tight enough to cut you in half. Once you get the lap belt tight the shoulder harness (1 or 2 belts) doesn't add to much to holding the upper body in place from side to side unless you have a racing style seat with proper torso and shoulder supports.

Bill

EmilT

That is the kind of information that is very helpful. Thanks.

EmilT

Lots of info, thanks.

davidfarmer

you could weld a piece of steel tubing to the bulkhead, and make a simple secure mount. However, for safety's sake this would require removing the fuel tanks, which is a real PITA and would lilkly negate any savings you have in materials.

The front of the bulkhead directly behind the seat, is reinfoced with a double layer of steed, which is stamped for strength. While this area should be very strong, I wouldn't want to mount shoulder harnesses that low