Center net

#1

I am progressing along with my roll cage build and presently have my dash out to install the front "knee" bar. I am going to attach the right side net to the center bar and I wonder what kind of attachment point is needed for the net? Do I need to weld a bracket on the bar or can the net lanyard simply loop around the bar?

#2

I had an eye hole welded to the bar but ended up just looping the strap.

FWIW: I think you’ll be fine without a bracket

#3

My center net wraps around the dash bar. It goes into the dash right above the center AC vents. I cut a small notch out of the vent to make room for the net.

#4

I am having my cage installed NOW (just delivered the car to Sam this morning) and we were talking about how the center net is best attached to the dash bar. Sam is planning on putting the dash bar WAY up in the dash so everything works and is best. He is planning on building some kind of "starp loop" to attach the net to and having it coming out the front of the dash. Will this work? I haven’t paid enough attention to these nets yet.

#5

In cases like that I have seen people stick a Forged Eye bolt up through the dash and then clip the center net to the eye. The idea is to have the center net as high as possible and if it comes out of the dash any lower than the center vents I would think it is too low. Some would question that the center vents is too low.

The eye bolt is welded to the dash bar of course.

Michael O.

#6

I finished mounting my center net last weekend. I’m using the Simpson net, and I have a center (crash) bar. The first problem I had was the length of the net–for me, it didn’t have enough total length to wrap the forward end around the crash bar and still be able to attach to the triangle. I ended up buying a clamshell bracket to go around the crash bar so that I didn’t ‘use up’ as much of the length of the strap in wrapping around. I’d be curious if the Safety Solutions net was longer.

I was also undecided on where (how high) to mount the forward end. The basic choices seem to be an eyebolt or some mechanism above the top of the dash; through the center vents; or through the radio hole.

I was concerned that mounting above the dash would cause the net to impact my view of the passenger mirror, and that turned out to be the case. I’m 5-11 and almost had to look through the net to see the mirror. I finally ran it through the bottom edge of the center vent and that seems just about right. It gave me good vision and still felt that most of my helmet would be caught by the net.

On the rear mountings, I have the upper one attached to the rear brace right where it attaches to the main hoop behind my seat, so it’s just an inch or so lower than the main hoop. If nothing else, this will keep it from sliding to the right since it’s attached to a brace that is running rearward.

I know some guys are happy with the above-dash mount, and others, like Skeen, have gone through the radio hole, so I’d say test-fit yours before you cut holes or weld.

#7

Currently, mine goes to the radio hole, which I know folks will say is too low, but I think might work ok (my jury is still out).

I think how high the REAR of the net is, is more important than how high the FRONT of it is. Nonetheless, I still might move mine.

I will try to post a picture later.

#8

I run my Safety Solutions center net to the top of the dash (an eye bolt) and I had so much extra length on the webbing that I had to cut it off so the ratcheting mechanism would work properly. The net also wraps around the back of my seat, so the length is very generous. I don’t have a visibility problem with it mounted above the dash, either.

Sasha

#9

I’m currently talking with NASA National about a bolt-in roll bar loop (properly padded) that attaches to the main hoop, and is positioned like the right side head restraint panel seen on the high-end seats. I think this will be easier to install (and remove for work in the car), and will be more effective in restraining right side helmet lateral movement. I still believe that the nets will stretch in a major impact, are too long from front to back, and cannot be pulled tight enough to stop the helmet from moving several inches, which is enough to allow significant lateral movement/muscle stretching, etc.

They want a drawing/design so I’ll get that to them for their review.

I’ll post their opinions.

Carter

#10

Carter wrote:

[quote]I’m currently talking with NASA National about a bolt-in roll bar loop (properly padded) that attaches to the main hoop, and is positioned like the right side head restraint panel seen on the high-end seats. I think this will be easier to install (and remove for work in the car), and will be more effective in restraining right side helmet lateral movement. I still believe that the nets will stretch in a major impact, are too long from front to back, and cannot be pulled tight enough to stop the helmet from moving several inches, which is enough to allow significant lateral movement/muscle stretching, etc.

They want a drawing/design so I’ll get that to them for their review.

I’ll post their opinions.

Carter[/quote]

I agree with you on the center net effectiveness (or lack of). I’ve installed mine and don’t know that it’s going to add that much protection. However, I’m not sure I want a bar to bounce my head off of either… padded or not.

I look forward to seeing what you have in mind.

#11

I’m using the Safety solutions (better than any of the other 3 nets I tried) net wrapped around the dash bar, and behind my seat. It looks like it would help restraining your head if t-boned, but I’m getting a new seat with the side helmet restraints.
There was a video showing the benefits of having the side net someplace, I can’t remember the site.

#12

I use a PYROTECT net from I/O port.
It attaches through the radio hole as well to the Dash/Knee bar. I don’t per say have a knee bar because it is higher than the heater and just below the steering column yet still connects to the bend point on the down tubes. I had the same problem on the length of the straps but found that motorcycle extension slings for the tie-down straps from Orchard Supply hardware or OSH as we know them work best. I had Ken at I/O Port whom is on of our safety inspectors for Norcal NASA look at all the options and he was real concerned with anything other than like material of the center net used in extending or even connecting it to a hold down. Wire or steel cable with an eye hook was quickly shot down as well as any metal object.
His response to me was that clearly stated in the NASA CCR’S if you feel it is unsafe than you must contest it and if enough of us contest it as being unsafe for operation in our vehicles than NASA must look in to it.

#13

i don’t understand the reluctance to use an extension piece to attach the net to something under the dash? As long as you design it to not fray/rip the net strap…
thanks,
bruce

#14

The only concearn was that a steel cable or something with the ability to slice if your arms were to strike it in a collision. Ken stated he would only approve a like and size material that was used in the original construction of the center net. I was able to find a like material with loops allready threaded in and he looked at it and gave it his blessing in the impound after a race.