[chipflyer]

Thinking about going the 4 point route in my 36 Chevy 2 door sedan and would like opinions on what would be good or bad about this option. There is no place to mount a 3 point system to the B pillar and I want more than just lap belts. I have not ruled out sebring type seats with the built in 3 point system but I have found a lot of bucket seats I like that would work with the universal 4 point systems. Why don't more people use 4 point belts in streetrods, what are the positives and negatives?
Thinking of these in all 4 seats to accommodate the wife and 2 kids. http://wescoperformance.stores.yahoo.net/am4point.html
Thanks

Jeff

[DanTwoLakes]

Let's put this in General Rodding Tech.

Dan

[briskedm]

if i could re-do one thing on my daily driver that i had to go and do 5 years ago now, it would be not putting in a 4pt seat belt, granted yours probably isn't a DD but, the constant restraint (reaching the radio, something on the dash/seat next to me) becomes a pita real quick. If a passenger isn't careful to make sure the belt is in the door it slams into the jamb... not saying you won't be happy with them if its an occasional driver, however I won't be doing 4 points again on a street vehicle.

[techinspector1]

Hi Jeff, I'll give you the same answer on this forum that I gave you on the other forum.....

The problem with the floor-mounted shoulder belts is the line of pull. In a head-on incident, the body will be thrown forward. Because of the anchor point at the floor, this will cause the shoulder belts to be pulled downward on the shoulders,resulting in crushing of the spinal vertebrae. The force can be such that the belts actually pull down through the seat.

The shoulder belt anchor point needs to be directly to the back as soon as the belt comes up over the shoulder. That's why the crossbar in a roll bar or roll cage installation. That's to anchor the shoulder belts. Problem is, most cruiser guys don't want to install a bar across the car because it inhibits entry/exit into the rear seat.

I have young guys and gals who show up all the time at Friday Night Drags technical inspection at Firebird with floor-mounted shoulder belts. I instruct them to go back to the pits and remove the shoulder belts all together, then come back to tech.

Here's a tutorial from SFI concerning belt installation....
http://www.sfifoundation.com/

[chipflyer]

I appreciate the reply and value your post but I have done a lot of searching and about the only thing negative that I have found is that they aren't very handy when it comes to reaching forward or backwards like briskedm stated.
I do understand what you are saying about having them mounted high behind the seat and I agree, that's not an option.
I still have to wonder, if they are that dangerous how are the ones in the link allowed to be sold?
Thanks

Jeff

[Irelands child]

I'm using 4 point belts and am aware of the potential consequences - but I do have a '31 Ford roadster without (at this time) a roll bar. That leaves me with the floor mounted version. I chose these as at least a lot better choice then none at all. They aren't the Simpson/Impact design but a standard passenger car type. When (if?) I install a roll bar, then that type will be installed

[bentwings]

I checked with my insurance company and found that they would likely cancel my insurance as they consider these as racing equipment. Something to think about. Don't ask about the logic. I had a difficult time convincing them that I needed a roll bar to attach the seat belts to for the very reason techinspector noted. They want me to use a 3 point using the roll bar as the B post mount for the shoulder mount. No 4 point or 5 point however. My car has a wood (2x2) and fiberglass B post how are your going to put a bolt in that that will hold a seat belt in a collision??

[Ray Bell]

Years ago the Datsuns had a setup that might be of interest...

They likewise didn't have a decent B-pillar mount, so they mounted the sash belt to the roof beside the rear seat.

Some other models had the sash belt go elsewhere (low down beside the rear seat, I think), but had another loop of belt webbing from the roof that held it high just behind the driver. I think this applied to the 240Z.

I simply wouldn't drive without a 3-pointer...

[steve392]

There is another option you may want to look at.

Try these two sites:
http://www.corbeau.com/products/harness_belts/

and

http://www.schrothracing.com/store/T...autocontrol-II

Both offer a 4-point belt that mounts like a 3-point system, with the shoulder belts being tied together and connecting to a retractor. The Corbeau belts have retractors that are the inertia type, whereas the Schroth belts have an electronic lockup system for the shoulder belts, and it is reflected in their price. I believe both websites give the requirements for the location of the shoulder belt/retractor anchor point for proper safe function.

Take a look, it may be what you're looking for.

Steve