Harnesses Fitted

[TheCake]

Ok so my Sabelt harnesses arrived a few weeks back. Having not had much energy as you all most likely know I put off doing them until I had some spare time.

However... that was until yesterday when both seats came out - my mum repaired my drivers seat (nice one mum) and we re-fitted them along with my new 3pt harnesses.

Big thanks to BenR for his telephone phone a friend assistance as the installation was time consuming albeit good fun!

Finished it this morning, lots of padding, very comfortable and all I can say is that the normal seat belt feels rubbish in comparison.

Love them to bits!

Si.

Ps. Dont askf or pics - theyre coming!

 

[Dan##]

nice one Si! now sort those pics out!

 

[TheCake]

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01363.jpg

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01364.jpg

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01365.jpg

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01366.jpg

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01367.jpg

http://www.hothatch.net/mygallery/albums/cup/DSC01368.jpg

The eagle eyed Cliosporters will notice I have kept the OEM seat belts. Reason being if someone such as my boss needs a lift he can jump right in and use that instead of the harnesses. Same goes if my car needs to go to the garage - it stops them messing around with the driver harness - which would piss me off!

Opinions please people.
NB: Also still have my Green Ribbon on for Scott. RIP mate.

 

[Dan##]

very nice! look how close you sit to the steering wheel, are you a chav?

 

[Dan Page]

very nice mate, think someone needs their hand brake adjusting though...

 

[TheCake]

Cheers Dan and No I aint no Chav!

 

[McBunny]

gotta remember the closer you are the more control you have over the wheel

 

[Dan##]

wheres ya bonnet gone?

 

[TheCake]

I have to say from my initial observations the harnesses are just out of this world. As Dogmaul says the confidence in the car has grown massively you can really really push it around and you have such greater trust and feeling through the wheel and the chassis its amazing.

When you push hard into a bend now you feel very very secure, theres no sliding around and even though im a skiny sod, there is no movement in the seat nor body movement.

You feel at one with the car every turn, every bump every change of road surface. You can feel soo much more.

Renault should have fitted these as standard - they are simply stunning and I would recommend anyone whos umming and arring to get on and order the whole lot - buckets + harnesses. It brings the car alive.

 

[Toypop]

Had harnesses in my Mini. What I noticed the most was that I was no longer using my legs and arms to stop myself from sliding across the seat although you wont notice that you are doing it until you fit harnesses.


I removed them in the end because it was a pain in the backside in petrol stations etc when you want to jump in quickly and get out of the way. Also because they are fixed I couldnt reach the stereo or even the headlight button on the dashboard!!! I think keeping your standard belts is a bloody good idea, unfortunately in my Mini the harnesses used one of the normal seat belts mounting points....

Do those seats allow you to sit lower in the car or are they as high up as the normal seats?

 

[Dan##]

Quote: Originally posted by Toypop on 19 September 2004

I removed them in the end because it was a pain in the backside in petrol stations etc when you want to jump in quickly and get out of the way.

thats what puts me off gettin em, i think id jsut end up using the normal seat belts all the time!

 

[Lunner]

Well done mate, looks soo much better wiht harnesess.

I know exaclty what you mean about corners, you just dont move...and when your going over diumpy roads you just tighten them up and you dont bounce artound all over the place.

Live the harness pads too, must get a set of those....

Now all youve gotta do is get rid of those back seats

 

[Lunner]

They aint too mad, i have my seat pushed all the way back and can still reach the radio, heater controsl etc, then only thing i cant reach ar my sunglasses above the glove box.

My harnesses only take a few seconds longer to get inot than seatbelts used to, and its worth it for the increase in control you have over the car, and the increase in the amoutn you can feel the road...and cus im a lanky sod my head doent hit the roof now

 

[Adams_16v]

Looks sweet as that mate, iv got the same uns, love them, can be annoying when ur just doing the odd quick trip tho, but like u say uv still got the standard seatbelts in which is well handy!!

 

[TheCake]

Hehe thanks Lunner and Toypop for your responses.

Toypop, I would sit lower in the car than normal if I didnt have adjustable subframes. I think for this reason I sit at the same height as before or only marginally lower - not exactly sure tbh. Cant be much in it though.

Yeah keeping the OEM belts I think was a good idea. Was thinking about whilst talking to my dad and we agreed on days when im just pottering down the shop ill use the normal belt as its alot of hassle to get in and out of harnesses.

Petrol stations are a right laugh. People watching me get into or out of then, bolt myself in! LOL.

Lunner is right about un-even surfaces, just lift a hand and yank down on the adjuster straps to fasten yourself in like a prisoner! Its wicked. Nothing going no where.

Toypop your right about using your body to slow you down - I find the easiest way to explain what harnesses are like is to compare it to say Nemesis at Alton Towers - you sit back and let the vehcile hold you in place instead of trying to stop yourself. Theres alot of trust in there but I feel I can drive alot safer now as when i go into bends quickly I can concentrate more on DRIVING the car, rather than IT driving me.

From the drivers seat I can reach most stuff with the exception of:

Clock area + upper tray where sunglasses live
My Road Angel 2
Heater controls
Drivers door if open!

I can reach the radio and most other stuff. Its just having to remind yourself when you get in to sort everything out before hand!

 

[Lunner]

Quote: Originally posted by CupCake on 19 September 2004

Yeah keeping the OEM belts I think was a good idea. Was thinking about whilst talking to my dad and we agreed on days when im just pottering down the shop ill use the normal belt as its alot of hassle to get in and out of harnesses.

When im going 5 mins downt eh road now i dont even bother with the harnesses now .or ill just put the sholder straps on and not bother doing them up.

 

[WannabeeCup]

It looks absolutely wicked! Can i ask how much it cost, for the whole lot? What do your passengers think of them? Also do you go on many track days? How comfy are the seats? Do you find they are only slightly firmer? Last question, have you got standard suspension? Only asking because the top pic looks like the front is lower than mine, although the second one still looks a tad lower than mine... just wondering

 

[TheCake]

WannabeeCup - bit like Mastermind this! Your chosen subject is Race Interiors your have 60 seconds starting now!

Ok..

Q. Can i ask how much it cost, for the whole lot?

A. Seats are £111.04 EACH, Adjustable Subframes are approx £50 EACH, harnesses are £50 EACH and shoulder straps (pairs) £10 EACH. Total price of conversion for car is aprrox £450

Q. What do your passengers think of them?

A. The buckets kind of grow on you, my new lady tried the harnesses last night and thought they were quite comfortable and she likes the seats anyway. Some people complain they are quite hard and not really suited to long journeys!

Q. Also do you go on many track days?

A. None as yet I havent but I will do in 2005.

Q. How comfy are the seats?

A. Depends what kind of size you are really. Im quite skinny but they do tend to be comfier if you have a fuller figure as you have some more padding. Reminds me to eat better! I have adapted to them quite well and now can drive around 200miles in a go before needing to stop and stretch my legs. I find them as comfortable as they should be. They grow on you though.

Q. Do you find they are only slightly firmer?

A. Compared to a standard Clio seat - I hope you having a laugh! These things are about 8million% harder than the Clio Seat. They are an awful lot firmer and definately not soft at all. Your sat IN them, not ON them.

Q. Last question, have you got standard suspension?

Yes I do have standard suspension although not for long. Mine is quite well worn in though - touched 40,500miles this week!

Hope that helps matey.

 

[Red Clio 52]

Quote: Originally posted by Lunner on 19 September 2004


When im going 5 mins downt eh road now i dont even bother with the harnesses now .or ill just put the sholder straps on and not bother doing them up.

That could prove fatal. There are a lot of people killed or badly injured every year who "Are going 5 minutes down the road" without their seat belts on.

Put the belt/harness on EVERY time and fasten them. It may save your life.

 

[howie p]

looks smart, v nice good job

 

[WannabeeCup]

LOL, nice one. Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I shall have to take down the info and pics for when i decide to go down this route. Nice intake by the way
How long have you had the car - 40.5k, nice....

 

[patty]

very nice dude!! uv jus inspired me to go pick some up, i jus emailed john harris at demon tweeks!!

patty

 

[Lunner]

Quote: Originally posted by Red Clio 52 on 19 September 2004

Quote: Originally posted by Lunner on 19 September 2004


When im going 5 mins downt eh road now i dont even bother with the harnesses now .or ill just put the sholder straps on and not bother doing them up.

That could prove fatal. There are a lot of people killed or badly injured every year who "Are going 5 minutes down the road" without their seat belts on.

Put the belt/harness on EVERY time and fasten them. It may save your life.

Thanks for that........

On that note when i had my accident i was strapped in, hit a lampost sideways at about 30, didn;t even move, and i got out and walked away, slightly dazed. When i went to the hosptial to be checked out the doc reconed that if i had been in mornal setas and seatbelts ( i was in a 95 basic model clio) i woudl have needed to be brought in in an ambulance, cus std seats and belts give no sideways protection.

Bucket seats ands harnesses can save your life!!

Red Clio - from now on ill always put the harnesses on....

 

[Lunner]

Quote: Originally posted by patty on 19 September 2004


very nice dude!! uv jus inspired me to go pick some up, i jus emailed john harris at demon tweeks!!

patty

I rang John Harris about mine, was orignally planning to buy just one, but he offered to do me a blinding deal if i got two, so i got 2 of everything, and saved just under £100 on RRP

 

[Ian_182]

How does the law stand with your harnesses.Would the enemy moan because your not using the designated seatbelts???

just wondering

ian

 

[patty]

Quote: Originally posted by Lunner on 19 September 2004

Quote: Originally posted by patty on 19 September 2004


very nice dude!! uv jus inspired me to go pick some up, i jus emailed john harris at demon tweeks!!

patty

I rang John Harris about mine, was orignally planning to buy just one, but he offered to do me a blinding deal if i got two, so i got 2 of everything, and saved just under £100 on RRP



yeh i asked him to sort em a deal out on a couple if he could, wat belts u got mate?

 

[TheCake]

Wannabe, drop me a PM if you want any other details mate. Can do any number of pics too. Cheers on the intake - I love it! Had the car since Feb 2003 on a Sep 2002 car, so about 18mths now.

With regard to Ians question about harnesses - you may notice I have kept the OEM seat belts in place as well, but I checked out the Department for Motoring or whatever they are called about how it stands on MOT and I have followed their guidelines with regard to fitting and placement and ensured that proper approved mounting points have been used.

Indeed as Red said, ALWAYS wear one or the other. In my case - I could wear both. maybe thats a tad OTT though! LOL.

 

[WannabeeCup]

Cheers CupCake i have all the info i need, thank you for being so forthcoming. & now your getting a role cage! You trying to turn your car into a rally car by any chance
He hee. I will eventually go down that route, but will spend money in other places first but really like the idea of the seats!

 

[James Bushell]

Hi.. Si.. as you know my Scoob had full harnesses.. Deffinately a must have..! if your seats will accomadate them..!

 

[TheCake]

Heheh WannabeeCup - yeah Rally Cup en-route. Lots coming along nicely for it! Glad the info has been helpful.

James - after we discussed it I had to spend the cash and do it. Its now just trult remarkable and when we do the next South East thrash - its going to rock!

 

[Djw John]

Loved it when I had a loan of some willians harnesse couple months back, was meant to have them for a weekend, 2 months later i took them out! Seatbelts feel so restrictive, uncomfy and unsafe after. Cant afford them at the moment so gonna ask for them as a christmas present! Thats with 172 seats btw and they made a huge difference.

 

[Iain C]

 

[Ad]

How doe the oem seatbels secure?? Into the harness?? Arnt the standard seat belts secured to the seat frames??

 

[M.C..]

looks very nice espesicaly (spelling) the colour just one question how long has it taken you to get used to getting in and out of them seats

 

[Martin]

I have the same seats as Si and i can say although they are much harder you get used to them very quick and in combination with harnesses...it makes you feel like throwing your car around every corner even when you are nipping out for a pint of milk! Couldnt go back to standard jobbies now, feel secure and much lower/better driving position in mine...

 

[TheCake]

Quote: Originally posted by adtmits on 20 September 2004


How doe the oem seatbels secure?? Into the harness?? Arnt the standard seat belts secured to the seat frames??

The clunk-clip mechanism is attached to the seat subframe along with the harness abdominal strap.

 

[TheCake]

As martin says you get used to them VERY quickly, you have no choice. Ive got getting in and out down to a fine art now.

You cna seriously throw the car aorund and that little pop to the shop is now "whats the furthest shop from here?" hehe!