So my question is simple. I want to put in racing style seats with the full 5 point harness. Anyone have any info on how hard it is to install the harness? I know you need to run a bar for the straps. How much does it cut down on the usability of the rear seats? Also I don't ever really have anyone in the rear seat and I'm wondering if there are any solutions as to alternative uses for the space? thanks



Peter

 

alternative uses for the space.... hmmmmm...

HUMONGOUS box

having the bar there shouldnt cut down too much considering you have a 4 door car (unlike the tC where a harness bar makes it impossible to even get in the rear seats). Just make sure you put some padding over the bars.

 

Generally, the harnesses are bolted to the roll cage, itself. Are you planning on installing a roll cage just to put in 5-point harnesses and racing seats? ...or are there future plans that would warrant a roll cage? If you don't really need the roll cage, then you could always extend the harnesses and bolt them to the floorboard.

 

a full cage isnt needed. Just a roll bar with a harness bar attached to it is sufficent.

 

I actually do intend to get a full roll cage in the car at some point but seeing as I'm a college student money comes slowly and I'm looking into what can be done now versus what is to be left until I'm not skipping lunch so I have enough cash to afford that new header that just looks oh so shiny...


Now correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the harness had to be mounted at a certain angle relative to the seat in order to have the load transfered correctly when in extreme braking conditions otherwise it could result in permanent back injury? I might be wrong though but I think I remember hearing that somewhere.



Peter

 

Actually, the reason behind having the harnesses secured to the roll cage (or roll bar) is to keep the driver secured into the car no matter what occurs. If the harnesses are mounted to the floor, there is a possibility for them to come loose since they would not be connected directly to the structure of the vehicle should the vehicle begin to flip or roll. Since the roll cage is directly welded to the frame rails, it actually becomes the structure of the vehicle. Securing the driver via harness to the structure is the safest way to keep the driver in the seat and secure.
My suggestion of mounting the harnesses to the floor is simply for aesthetics. Most people have no need for any sort of roll cage in their vehicle, so this would be an option for those who just want the 5-points for show.
As for the rear seats... if you are intending on using the car for any sort of race purposes, ditch them. Weight reduction is weight reduction and every little bit helps.

 

Huh I didn't know that thanks for the info. I'm not sure I'm going to go full racer status on the car, while I am planning a rather severe power build in terms of an xA being 17 makes going to races a little interesting. Also you wouldn't happen to know of any good places from which to get racing seats, the brackets and the actual harness? I've looked around and have been having trouble frinding a website that will tell me if the seats will work in a Scion xA. Don't know if this is relevant at all but I'm about 6'6" and about a 36 waist.

 

You could keep the stock seats and go with a Schrothe Rallye 3 harness. It's DOT approved, and would reach the rear seatbelt buckle bolt. Ideally you want a 45 degree or less angle from the driver's shoulders to the mounting point. Directly to the floorboards is a BAD idea.

Cheap investment to keep you racing while you save up for seats/rollbar/etc.

If you don't need the DOT approval, you can go with a Sparco or similar unit. Depends on your local laws. I've used the Sparco Clubman in the past with great results.

 

Is that a 45 degree angle from the drivers back or from a plane on level with the shoulders?

 

That's a 45 degree or less angle from horizontal, at shoulder level. The point is to keep the driver in the seat without causing any sort of compression that ultimately could result in spinal injury. Mounting to the pillar seatbelt bolts is excellent if the harness will reach. Most racing seats are standardized, so you may end up having to modify your mounting in order to get the seats to fit properly. There are TONS of websites out there that sell this sort of thing. Jegs.com is a big one.