Harness Bar gripe
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 176
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From: Brentwood Essex
Harness Bar gripe
Hi Guys,
Just bought a chrome harness bar from Ecklers, which turned out to be an Arizona Speed and Marine product.
Must admit I got it more for the look of the thing then for any burning need for a harness - although clearly there will be a harness :cool:
Anyway, what they don't tell you in the Ecklers catalogue is that it fixes to the roof rear mount points as well as the seat belt mounts. The problem is that the stock roof bolts are too short to go thru the brackets as well as the roof, and the new ones they supply *have a different size head* - how stupid is that? :mad
So know I have to carry a socket drive with an allen key socket as well as the standard roof tool. Also, you have to take the bolts out completely to get the roof off, and you need a second person to help you put it back on again, as they have to hold the brackets out of the way.
It does look great, but I may end up selling it because of the hassle of the above.
Just though this might save someone else making the same mistake.
Steve
Just bought a chrome harness bar from Ecklers, which turned out to be an Arizona Speed and Marine product.
Must admit I got it more for the look of the thing then for any burning need for a harness - although clearly there will be a harness :cool:
Anyway, what they don't tell you in the Ecklers catalogue is that it fixes to the roof rear mount points as well as the seat belt mounts. The problem is that the stock roof bolts are too short to go thru the brackets as well as the roof, and the new ones they supply *have a different size head* - how stupid is that? :mad
So know I have to carry a socket drive with an allen key socket as well as the standard roof tool. Also, you have to take the bolts out completely to get the roof off, and you need a second person to help you put it back on again, as they have to hold the brackets out of the way.
It does look great, but I may end up selling it because of the hassle of the above.
Just though this might save someone else making the same mistake.
Steve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Amateur driver on open course.
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
All the above was true for me as well, but I never remove my roof. For those who do, It will be a pain. Very nice harness bar though!!
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
I came close to buying the AS&M, but went with Exotic Muscle instead. If it wasn't chrome, I would consider buying it from you, I want one for my other C4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,182
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From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
It does sound like a PITA. But how is the handling of the car after installation? Us California guys take our roofs off very frequently. That's why I won't be considering it. (next project=roll cage)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 176
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From: Brentwood Essex
Re: Harness Bar gripe (89 Paul in Cal)
Yeah, I suppose a removeable roof (and air con) in the UK is very little use most of the time :(
As to handling, can't say yet as the Beast is incomplete. Should have her running this weekend. All that's left is coolant fill, start and timing. I don't expect the bar to make much difference, as although it is clearly strong enough to take the harnesses, it doesn't seem all that rigid.
It looks fantastic though!
Steve
As to handling, can't say yet as the Beast is incomplete. Should have her running this weekend. All that's left is coolant fill, start and timing. I don't expect the bar to make much difference, as although it is clearly strong enough to take the harnesses, it doesn't seem all that rigid.
It looks fantastic though!
Steve
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood Essex
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
Hey - the rain stopped!
Try these for size:
Please ignore:
1. The fact that my headlining has had it
2. The fact that I forgot to put the seat-belt bracket covers back on (just noticed)
3. No comments about a rice sound system please :rolleyes:
Try these for size:
Please ignore:
1. The fact that my headlining has had it
2. The fact that I forgot to put the seat-belt bracket covers back on (just noticed)
3. No comments about a rice sound system please :rolleyes:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood Essex
Re: Harness Bar gripe (BBA)
Does the bracket block the light from the rear cargo lights?
However, the brackets at that point are about an inch away from the body, so you still get light from around the sides of the bracket.
[Modified by steveelsbury, 6:31 PM 6/6/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 22,379
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From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
Hmmmmmm that's really weird??? I bought the same harness bar at Carlisle last year and mine don't have those top brackets??? :confused:
I guess it's a good thing!
I guess it's a good thing!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 176
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From: Brentwood Essex
Re: Harness Bar gripe (Mr. Magoo)
It's clearly not the same harness bar then! Your upright 'loops' are wider then mine, and it looks like you have two brace bars running down to the back of the roof holders in the cargo area?
There must be braces there somewhere, otherwise the bar just rotates around the seat belt mount points, no?
The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed that when I bent the top retaining bars up into position, the chrome flaked off where they are welded to the 'loops'.
Bugger - the design of yours looks better then mine! :cry
[Modified by steveelsbury, 6:40 PM 6/6/2002]
There must be braces there somewhere, otherwise the bar just rotates around the seat belt mount points, no?
The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed that when I bent the top retaining bars up into position, the chrome flaked off where they are welded to the 'loops'.
Bugger - the design of yours looks better then mine! :cry
[Modified by steveelsbury, 6:40 PM 6/6/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
The car I just bought has an AS&M harness bar. Didn't realize that was how it mounts. May have to take a look at it and reconsider the bar since I like to take the roof off.
How much more rigid is your car with the bar?
How much more rigid is your car with the bar?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 22,379
Likes: 94
From: Damn taxes! Pimpin' Ain't Easy in Massachusetts
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'08-'09
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
It's clearly not the same harness bar then! Your upright 'loops' are wider then mine, and it looks like you have two brace bars running down to the back of the roof holders in the cargo area?
There must be braces there somewhere, otherwise the bar just rotates around the seat belt mount points, no?
The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed that when I bent the top retaining bars up into position, the chrome flaked off where they are welded to the 'loops'.
Bugger - the design of yours looks better then mine! :cry
There must be braces there somewhere, otherwise the bar just rotates around the seat belt mount points, no?
The sharp-eyed amongst you may have noticed that when I bent the top retaining bars up into position, the chrome flaked off where they are welded to the 'loops'.
Bugger - the design of yours looks better then mine! :cry
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,192
Likes: 1
From: Airport Cruise-in 1 Veteran Airport Cruise-in 2 Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Harness Bar gripe (steveelsbury)
You don't really need this part of the harness bar, do you? It looks sturdy enough that you could cut those off and it wouldn't make a difference.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
Likes: 23
From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: Harness Bar gripe (Mr. Magoo)
Wow your right! :eek: I'll check my receipt when I get home from work, maybe it's from another manufacture???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,386
Likes: 2
From: San Angelo TX
Re: Harness Bar gripe (Mr Mojo)
would it be possible to still remove the top by unscrewing the outer two bolts? That way the whole latch just stays in place and the top just lifts out. :confused:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Brentwood Essex
Re: Harness Bar gripe (IcemanZ06)
Don't know - I'll try it.
You can still take the top off, but have to replace the bolts with the roof off to hold the brackets. Also, you need another person to help replace the top, as the brackets get in the way.
You can still take the top off, but have to replace the bolts with the roof off to hold the brackets. Also, you need another person to help replace the top, as the brackets get in the way.