7 replies to this topic

[PaddyShepherd]

Rover Mini British Open Classic, 1992.


I am considering some nice classic buckets and harnesses for my mini once I have got all her water leakage problems cleared.

Now, my issue is; I would like harnesses, but don't want to completely abandon the use of back seats. I often go on road trips with friends and usually need the rear seats. So of course, the immediate answer would be; Forget harnesses.

I did, a while ago, see an Inertia 3 point harness up on a website somewhere. IE: Inertia reel strap - splits into two shoulder straps - comes down to your lap where it meets the other two points.

So the reason you can't keep back seats with harnesses is due to needing the mounting points at no greater than 45 degrees from your shoulder, or else in an accident it may crush your spine. My question is; If I use the inertia reel 3 point harness, is it safe to use the original inertia mounting behind the front seats? As technically you are still using an inertia belt system.

Thanks in advance.

Paddy.

[Jamie_hail]

edit: Misread, my bad!

I'll let someone who knows, answer!

Edited by JamesHail, 03 May 2012 - 12:46 PM.

[Ethel]

Wouldn't think so, as soon as you hit something the reel locks and you're wearing a static harness: possibly a slack one which would be even worse!

You ought to be able to retain seatbelts and fit a harness with, eyebolt, detachable mountings.

[PaddyShepherd]

Wouldn't think so, as soon as you hit something the reel locks and you're wearing a static harness: possibly a slack one which would be even worse!

You ought to be able to retain seatbelts and fit a harness with, eyebolt, detachable mountings.

Hmm, I've been trying to figure it out for a while. As it works as a normal inertia reel belt (technically speaking) just with an extra shoulder strap. So does that therefore mean that even the standard belts could crush your spine in a crash!? Lol. I just thought it was worth a try due to it being very similar to a standard belt, please also note that this is not for competition/track use. SDPC road use only.

I may contact Moss Europe, as I've seen them on their site, and pick their brains about it. I'm trying to keep away from using extra mounting plates as I don't want too many serious modifications, so that the modifications I do are removeable and (when/if ready for another mini) I can sell the girl as a fully original limited edition mini.

[Ethel]

No, the standard belt mounting is above your shoulder. An inertia harness would still need attaching somewhere centrally behind the seat, which means it's likely to be lower than your shoulders. If it's lower it'd be much easier for your back to rotate forwards from your hips so you're going head first into the impact with the harness trying to restrain you on the tops of your shoulders rather than spreading the force across your chest. The rear parcel shelf would be the best location, but it'd need plenty of reinforcement.

You could use eyebolts to fix the original belts to their lower mountings and provide somewhere to clip the harness, But I can't see how you'd attach harness shoulder straps without some modifications.

[PaddyShepherd]

No, the standard belt mounting is above your shoulder. An inertia harness would still need attaching somewhere centrally behind the seat, which means it's likely to be lower than your shoulders. If it's lower it'd be much easier for your back to rotate forwards from your hips so you're going head first into the impact with the harness trying to restrain you on the tops of your shoulders rather than spreading the force across your chest. The rear parcel shelf would be the best location, but it'd need plenty of reinforcement.

You could use eyebolts to fix the original belts to their lower mountings and provide somewhere to clip the harness, But I can't see how you'd attach harness shoulder straps without some modifications.

Sorry, my bad. What I meant was where the inertia reel is mounted. Which, on my 92 rover mini is in the rear companion bin. So, that being said, if I ran the belt from the current inertia reel mounting, through the top mount, and from there, would this be safe? The guy from Moss Europe said he thinks it would be okay, however I need to ring back tomorrow when their mini specialist is in. Hmm. This is really beginning to bug me, because I'd like harnesses, if possible, without voiding the use of the rear seats.

[jimnali]

I doubt that this would work and be safe. Unless you can find a belt specifically designed to work like this then using it in that way ill probably void your car insurance. Check with your insuran ce company.

Your best (and safest) option would to do as Ethel suggests - keep both belts in place and use an eye bolt to enable you to disconnect the harnesses when the rear seats are required.

[PaddyShepherd]

I doubt that this would work and be safe. Unless you can find a belt specifically designed to work like this then using it in that way ill probably void your car insurance. Check with your insuran ce company.

Your best (and safest) option would to do as Ethel suggests - keep both belts in place and use an eye bolt to enable you to disconnect the harnesses when the rear seats are required.

Thanks, I will get back to Moss tomorrow and see what they say, if there is still a shadow of doubt then I will reconsider. I really don't want to have to make new mounting points up if I can avoid it. My rear seats are often required quite regularly.. mainly the guys at work wanting lifts. I may at some point remove them completely and use the rear seat mounting points. Y'see, my dad suggests only really to have two or 3 people in the car if reasonable as (he's a bit pedantic, although I see where he's coming from) he says that the parts may not keep up with the weight of four people regularly, so I may mention to him about removing them. Although he's also a bit on the contradictive side, too.. you probably understand the situation I'm in here. But before any of this, I need to see how she does in her MOT.