What Harness Are You Using?

[SS8_Gohan]

hi guys,

thinking of going down then harness road, and just wanted to pick some brains on which harness to get?

are all harnesses created equal or is it another 'get what you pay for' situation? And can they be installed without hacking up too much or making any major adjustments to anything?

Had a look at rhdjapan at the Nismo harness. $$$$

[Duncan]

no, they are not all the same (well maybe in seat belting ability, but not in usability).

Look for 5 or 6 point, never 4 (4 doesn't deal with the biggest issue, submarining)

Always get the wider one (3" from memory), the wider they are, the more comfortable on long runs.

Make sure they have a rotary buckle, much easier to use day to day and in a rush (eg car on fire)

If you can, check the adjusters. Good quality belts/adjusters slide smoothly, cheapies dont and get caught up.

[Risking]

Don't go buying nismo, takata or whatever is over priced out of japan.

Get down to your local race shop like revolution race gear and buy a decent one like an RPM, Sparco etc for less money.

[Roy]

I am with Duncan on most points. However with R34 seats you are really limited to running a 4 point harness. You can buy a 4 or 6 point but the reality is you cant use the crotch strap on a std R34 seat. So unless you have plans of going to a race seat then I am not convinced you need to incur the price premium over a 4 point harness as you are limited by seats.

I personally think you are wasting your money going to Nismo harness, especially when you can have a top quality schroth, Willans, Sparco/Sabelt etc harness. If I could justify the money I think the Schroth Profi II-Enduro is about the best out there. My budget is only $800 for two harnesses as I am shopping for a set for my new seats.

Having a daily R34, your best bet is a full harness bar that bolts behind the back seat, renders your back seat useless, but a harness bar or half cage are IMO a miniumum if you want to safely run a harness in a Skyline.

So from there its jsut a matter of getting a harness that you like, try to get good quality alloy buckles and quick release straps.

[R31Nismoid]

Ye 4 point is the only option with factory seats, it's not really a problem. Fine in my car.

Will suit what you want to do Chinny, basically the same as what i do etc events wise.

I have a Sabelt, and not really impressed (previous owner), it's a mega PIA to use although that said it's a few years old now so a bit worn. I'll upgrade to something much more user friendly next year.

[levinboy]

would a harness be alright to use with the std R33 GTR seats or should i change them??

Kinda looking at putting some 34GTR seats in mine

[R31Nismoid]

I use one, through the headrest single hole.

It's a tad uncomfy if you don't settle the straps correctly as almost overlap. Previous owner had it like that and regularly did WRX days and the CAMS scrutineers there never said anything. I've since been and it's never been questioned either.

I will probably get a better seat next year though, not a R34 seat as they are just overpriced for what you get.

[levinboy]

awesome sounds like i might use the std seat with a harness (once i get it) for a while and save up for a new seat, something nice maybe japanese

[SS8_Gohan]

nice info, thanks guys!!

i take it running Bride Cuga's doesn't change anything re: number of points compared to standard seats?

do you have a harness bar in your 33 Ash?

[Risking]

What's with everyone wanting Japanese harness and seats......

The mountings are probably more important than the harness in an accident. I see alot of them eye bolted to the floor pan in all sorts of weird places.

Even in an accident there is a good chance that the factory rear belt locations will move drastically In relation to the front seat ( those points were never designed to be a restraint for the front seats)

The belts will either tighten or loosen neither of which is acceptable.

A decent harness bar mounted between the two rear c pillars just above the parcel shelf is the most ideal way to go about it without a cage.

I don't think the japs have an off the shelf one of those but if you source some decent 38x2.6mm CDS steel any exhaust shop should be able to make something semi reasonable for you.

If possible ask them to use the factory 7/16ths seat belt locations on the pillars and have some neat spacers made so there is no need to cut the pillar trim.

And being a CAMS "approved" material you shouldn't ever run into any scruiteneering issues.

[Roy]

Edit. Just ask yourself do you really need a harness in your car. Are you really going to track it. A seat and harness install can be very dangerous if not done correctly.

[hrd-hr30]

I'm with Roy. I don't use a harness in my car. Its hard to get a 4pt harness mounted such that the lap belt stays over your hips when the shoulder straps are tightened. Using the facory lap-sash mouning points pretty much assures the 4pt lap belt will ride up over you abdomen, which can cause internal injuries in an accident. Safer to use the standard lap sashbelt than a poorly mounted 4pt - which most I've seen at track days are.

Make sure they have a rotary buckle, much easier to use day to day and in a rush (eg car on fire)

or if upside down... a normal press-button buckle won't release until you get all your weight off it.

Edited November 8, 2011 by hrd-hr30

[Roy]

And if you are going to install rails for a race seat don't use the Bride Low Max or whatever they are called. Use the other Bride rails which seem to be better for race seats

ie

Don't use this one. I do and they are farking garbage. I have twice welded gussets and whilst it gets better , the saying "you cant chrome dog shit" comes to mind

You can see where the side mount goes that it is essentially one big cantilever and easily distorts with some load on it

These are the ones that are generally better from what I have been told. Though I have wiped them all and going back to custom...

[FineLine]

I'm using a 6 point sabelt mounted off a harness bar and its a dream to use.

Easy shoulder strap tension relief and a quality rotary buckle for quick dismount.

[SABBAi]

I'm using a 3" Sparco with rotary buckle. Works well.

[phunky_monkey]

I recall a thread in the last 6 months on the same subject, and it had some useful responses as to which Harnesses are most user friendly. Might be worth a search

Personally, I've found Sabelt and Willans to have the best sliders.

[Roy]

I recall a thread in the last 6 months on the same subject, and it had some useful responses as to which Harnesses are most user friendly. Might be worth a search

Personally, I've found Sabelt and Willans to have the best sliders.

Thats why I love the Schroth. Was in and out of a friends rally car and they are so easy to adjust....no kicking and screamign trying to tighten the lower belts because a different person has jumped in the car

[Adz2332]

who sells sabelt?