Mounting a Retractable Harness (autoflug or Britax etc) to rear shelf

[hoffman912]

Has anyone used the threaded harness mounting points in the rear shelf to mount a retractable harness system like autoflug or britax?

i would like to mount my harnesses there, but not sure if the angle of the thread and the retractor body would be right to do it..

if anyone has done it, or has modifications to make it work that would be great! (pics too please!)

what i do not want to do is create new mounting points in the rear shelf (which i have seen done).

thanks!

Harry

[304065]

Harry, I wouldn't trust those puny threads on 40 year old steel. For the harness to work as designed you need the precise angle of pull and it needs to be mounted firmly to the chassis.

[hoffman912]

anyone else?
\

[ibmiked]

Harry, having installed a set of retracting harnesses (or two), I can say that the inertia principle they operate on is very sensitive to what I'll refer to as 'approach angle'. If the intent is to save your life in the event of rapid deceleration then mount them flat and directly behind you. It's only metal and someday we'll all be welding up bigger holes than the ones you'll be making.

Oh, and be sure to get a nice piece of 6" x 4" flat stock steel as a backing plate. We're trying to reduce shear when mounted horizontally.

Cheers,
Mike

[ibmiked]

Harry used the word 'retractable' and I was simply trying to share my experience that retractors will not operate properly if they do not have the correct angle. Mounting them using an angle bracket and the factory late '67/68 mounting points may not ensure that they work properly as they will have a force exerted on them off-axis as opposed to directly behind the driver. It is my belief that properly mounted directly behind the driver is a much safer option than using the 40+ year old factory mounts in a way never intended by the factory, or the maker of the retractor..

This is just my opinion, but I have installed both harnesses as well as three point retractable seatbelts in our early cars.

Cheers,
Mike

[hoffman912]

I do have those mounting points

[hoffman912]

thanks Raj. I guess the big question is, will the angle of the reel work there or not. :/

I am not keen on doing anything irreversible, so i dont want to drill holes in the deck. If i cant mount the good set of britax that i got, i'll probably go wth another thats fixed to the stock point and not retractable.

as far as safety goes, i do want to be safe, but face it.. these cars are not considered safe by todays means...


do you know of a cross bar that will work on a swb? maybe i need one added in to the roll bar I have. strill, i want to stick with period stuff..

[ibmiked]

Nope, no harm done. I enjoy the discussion.

Harry, just remember that a seatbelt does more than help you in a crash. With our cars 'locking' the brakes up is a concern. A properly adjusted and working seatbelt will keep you upright and with your hands on the wheel when this occurs. If you're using a retractable harness that doesn't lock because of improper angle then you'll be thrown forward and less likely to be able to control the car. A seatbelt is like a well bolstered seat; a way to stay in control and interact with the car.

As always, my two cents.

-Mike

PS, check out the helmet boxes in the last pic Raj posted. We could totally make those ourselves....

[ibmiked]

He's used to being two short, he does drive a 912....

[hoffman912]

With our cars 'locking' the brakes up is a concern. A properly adjusted and working seatbelt will keep you upright and with your hands on the wheel when this occurs.

ah yes.. i am familiar with that.. doesnt that bring back memories Raj?