Modifying shoulder strap mount point

#1

I’d like my should strap mount points to be ~2" higher. This would straighten the angle of the shoulder straps such that they would go back horizontally.

Because the straps angle down a little, it makes me scrunch down in the seat slightly after a few laps. It’s not much, and the strap angle is well within the rules, but that scrunching down in the seat screws up my back (which I broke 25yrs ago).

So what have you guys done or seen done that could raise up the shoulder strap mount point? I’d prefer not to go get some welding done, but I’ve not come up with a really solid/safe alternative. The only thing I can think of is to weld something 2" high to the top of the bar such that the strap has to first pass over it before going forward to the shoulders.

#2

All I can imagine would be to weld in another piece of tubing to loop the straps around, or lower the seat a couple inches.

I know the harness manufacturer’s prefer the strap to be horizontal or slightly lower at the attachment point, so you wouldn’t want to raise it too much. Maybe just a tweak in seat position would do it?

john

#3

Not sure if it would help but foam seat insert might fix your back pains and scrunching. I made an insert a while back. My dad and I share the car for track days so the seat we got was too big for me. It supports your body so that you dont have any side to side movement. That means you feel the car better and dont get tired as easily. My car control improved and I can drive for 90 minutes without any pains. Even if you think your seat fits fine, I really recommend this to everyone.

#4

Rear of the seat is as low as it will go, I did cut some padding out of the seat under my butt tho. That might make it harder for my butt to scoot forward which is good, not to mention it might have dropped my shoulders a 1/4". I also tried to make a lumbar pad and stick it in place. We’ll see how the mods work at CMP this weekend.

Still would like an easy way to raise the shoulder straps a bit. Maybe I should just design something and send it to a good cage guy. Anyone have some suggestions as to who would be good for a small job?

#5

why not just buy a stick of roll bar padding and stick it back there the high density stuff is about 1"-1.5" thick that should raise the shoulder straps a bit.

#6

87isMan wrote:

I don’t know if it’s in the rules, but I think that the straps need an entirely solid anchor. No sense helping them have more “give” in the event of an impact.

I’m not sure that putting material around the bar will lift the straps. As I visualize it, the straps meet the bar at the axis of the bar because the straps loop around. Coaxial circles all have the same axis, no matter how big the circle.

#7

Ranger wrote:

You should switch to concentric circles. They are easier to work with.:stuck_out_tongue:

Steve D.

PS - Can you tell I have nothing to add to this conversation (assuming you are still opposed to another bar welded above your current cross-bar, which is what solved my problem in the Miata I bought from a short guy)?