CruxGNZ Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Here is my problem... the time has come to upgrade my seat belts in the GNZ, but I cannot use a 4 point harness due to the fact I simply can't have a shoulder strap over my right shoulder. Don't want to get into why right now, but I have artery that has been re-routed over my collar bone and I have a graft right below that, so an accident with enough velocity could sever that artery or tear open that graft with a shoulder strap over my right side. Now, next week I get my car back from getting it's 6-point cage installed. The stock seatbelt can't be reused, because the seat belt retractor "pockets" now have a box welded to them that the main hoop sits on. After looking at a few web sites, I haven't found anything usefull. Have any of you guys seen anything that I may be able to use? I'm kind of in a pickle here. I never put to much thought into my seat belts. Well... at least my passenger will have a 4 point harness. Any help is appreciated. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 How about non-retractable belts from an early 240? Should be able to figure a place to bolt them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dudeboy Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Mat73GNZ, You may want to take a look at a three point harness or seatbelt set-up from a Jeep Wrangler or CJ. Some configurations are set-up for rollbar mount or factory mount locations. They meet federal specs and requirements,but I do not if that changes if you utilize a jeep harness in a Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 Why couldn't you use the typical 4-point harness, minus one shoulder strap? With this configuration, you'd need to adjust the lap belts so that the latching mechanism would be riding over the right side of your right hip so that the left shoulder strap comes over the left shoulder, crosses the chest, and is attached to the latching mechanism on the right side of your hip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 28, 2005 Author Share Posted March 28, 2005 Ah crap, is this true? "NHRA requires a 5-point harness when you hit 11's. You will also need a SFI approved jacket." If that's true, I'm screwed if I ever want to take my Z to the 1320. At least I know I can go to Road America twice a year (speedseakers.com) with no more than stock seat belts and have some fun. Terry, now that I look closer at the 4 point harness, one belt might not be able to be left off. I would probably have to use a 5 point harness and just eliminate the right shoulder strap. Now, provided the harness I get has enough material to shift the latching mechanism to the right, would anybody see anything wrong with that? It sounds like it may just work. I live just a couple minutes from Pegasus racing supply store and could try out a few of their harness's. I'll have to look into it. I'm just worried about safety here, you know should something happen. I don't wear a seat belt when I'm a passenger in a vehicle because of what was stated in my first post. Almost bleeding to death is not fun, actually peacefull, but not fun at my age. I came VERY close already (blew my spleen in half, almost died, long story). !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I wouldn't use 3 points of a 4 point. The shoulder belt in a regular seatbelt goes all the way across your body. Even if you hooked a left belt into the right side of a camlock 4 point harness (which would be better than the old hook and latch 4 point), it still isn't anywhere near your hip, so it doesn't cross your torso all the way. Seems like you'd rotate out of it if you got in an accident. Never tried it, but that's my impression. Could you build some kind of fiberglass or wood "bridge" that you could put over your collarbone to keep pressure from pushing on the artery in the event of a collision? Something that could be sewn into a firesuit? Just an idea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buZy Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 How about a HANS device used now by nextell nascar? Could something like that be modified to work? Just another idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2126 Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 buZy, I don't believe a HANS (head and neck support) device would help out in Mat's situation. Hey Mat! How about using shoulder harnesses with the big cushy pads? And, possibly build a releaf into the the pad that would bare against your effected shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted March 28, 2005 Share Posted March 28, 2005 I think a HANS device might be made to work. EXPENSIVE though... In looking at this one it seems like you could use it to make that bridge I was talking about. Just cut a groove in the padding so that the pressure went to either side of this exposed artery. http://hansdevice.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.47/it.A/id.4158/.f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Holy balls Jon! "Price: $865.00 – $960.00" That is definitely exspensive alright I was thinking of something along the lines of a "bridge" too, but what would happen if the bridge moved a little bit and was right on top of it? I seriously just can't take that chance. I don't think a big cushy pad would help much, unless it was so thick, it looked like I had a fox draped over my shoulder . I like the idea of using the old style non-retractable seatbelts out of an early 240Z, but I don't like it, because of the seat belts age. I have the day off tommorow, so I'm going to head to Pegasus racing up the road here and try out some harness's. You know, I hope getting myself safely strapped into the GNZ isn't going to be a chore. Some of you might be thinking, "Well, what are the chances?". My answer is, I'm really NOT a lucky guy. So I have to prepare for the worst. Thank you for the replies guys. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VRJoe Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Try checking with your surgeon, if they've run into this before they might have some suggestions. I suspect you could have a driving jacket made that would protect you via custom padding. In a jacket the padding wouldn't slip and a hard shell protector could be placed to protect the artery. That would solve the whole problem. 4/5 point for racing and a 3 point for regular driving. Just think, you could tap on the jacket, smile and say "Kevlar, that'll stop it next time they take a shot at me". That might slow down their reaction time just enough for a 1/4 mile kill. If you got a set of early Z belts you could take them to a racing shop and have them re-made to racing specs. You could probably adapt any old style non-retracting 3 point belt. Maybe something for the old Chevys or Fords. - Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2126 Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Mat, Regarding your idea of a bridge type unit to span the area in question, how about fabricating a personal device that you would put on like a shoulder holster, under your clothes and or driving suit, that would prevent any type harness from pinching off the artery or effecting said area. Just some food for thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Try checking with your surgeon' date=' if they've run into this before they might have some suggestions. I suspect you could have a driving jacket made that would protect you via custom padding. In a jacket the padding wouldn't slip and a hard shell protector could be placed to protect the artery. That would solve the whole problem. 4/5 point for racing and a 3 point for regular driving. Just think, you could tap on the jacket, smile and say "Kevlar, that'll stop it next time they take a shot at me". That might slow down their reaction time just enough for a 1/4 mile kill. If you got a set of early Z belts you could take them to a racing shop and have them re-made to racing specs. You could probably adapt any old style non-retracting 3 point belt. Maybe something for the old Chevys or Fords. - Joe[/quote'] I did check with my surgeon and he recommended that I don't do any racing. I was also talking with a nurse at my last doplar scan (I have to have my graft checked every 6 months to make sure everything is okay) and she simply said, "Your nuts". I'll figure out something that will pass tech at Great Lakes Dragaway (local 1/4 mile track). The diving jacket sounds like it would be a good idea, but at what cost? I'm assuming it will cost a pretty penny. As a good friend recently said, "It's a small roadblock that great engineering can and will overcome. You must put yourself first, especially over any inanimate object, i.e. cars, women, beer..... I'm sure you'll find exactly what you need to protect your shoulder. Just be patient." !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 Mat' date='Regarding your idea of a bridge type unit to span the area in question, how about fabricating a personal device that you would put on like a shoulder holster, under your clothes and or driving suit, that would prevent any type harness from pinching off the artery or effecting said area. Just some food for thought![/quote'] You know, that could work. What material could I have this made out of? Just thinking weight and the fact that it could be made to fit my body, what about several layers of carbon fiber with a honey comb middle, maybe .25 inch thick? I don't think metal would be very comfortable. I'll have to start thinking "outside the box" a little more on this like you guys. !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 It would not qualify for the track speeds you are considering, but you may want to look at the seat belts from an older Ford Escort (or similar car, I just happen to have had an escort at one time) with the automatic seat belts over the door. The retraction mechanism for the belt is located on the tunnel and there is a latch on the track that moves back and forth. you could use it for the shoulder portion and the lap portion could either be the bottom of a 4-point harness or the lap belt from another car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aaron Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 You know' date=' that could work. What material could I have this made out of? Just thinking weight and the fact that it could be made to fit my body, what about several layers of carbon fiber with a honey comb middle, maybe .25 inch thick? I don't think metal would be very comfortable. I'll have to start thinking "outside the box" a little more on this like you guys. !M![/quote'] You may want to look at some of the chest protectors or jackets worn by dirt bikers or sport bikers as a starting point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie-GNZ Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 How about a football shoulder pad and work with someone to have it modified so the top of the pad does not rest on the shoulder are of the artery? Should be able to find a used shoulder pad cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillZ260 Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 What a crappy dilema you have! driving jacket made that would protect you via custom padding. In a jacket the padding wouldn't slip and a hard shell protector could be placed to protect the artery. I think this is your best bet. Get yourself a cheapy canvas type jacket that fits snugly and start messing with CF, kevlar, or fiberglass. Try different molds untill you find one that is comfortable with padding or whatever and then find a good jacket to permanatly mount it into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruxGNZ Posted March 29, 2005 Author Share Posted March 29, 2005 What a crappy dilema you have! Yeah, you're not kidding. I have a tight fitting old canvas jacket that I might be able to sew a football pad to. There is a Play-it-again Sports place that sells used equipment. I'll check it out tonight. I did go to Pegasus Racing and the front desk guy happens to be a fellow 240Z owner! They didn't have anything to suit my rather unusual position, but he did recommend using a Schroth 3 point harness, which I found will not work either. So I was searching and found this: Click here I could use this and just leave the left shoulder harness off, shift the lap belt over to my right as far as possible and use the right shoulder strap over my chest (to the left) and attach it to the stock C pillar mount. But, this still leaves me without a 5-point, which will most likely be required if I go race at the track. I think sewing something into a tight fitting jacket will be my best bet. Then I can use a 5-point harness. I guess I'll have to "suit up" everytime I want to take her for a spin... or also have the old 240Z non-retactable seatbelts re-made and have those installed along with the 5-point. That way it won't be a hassle when I want to take the GNZ for a spin around town. Great ideas guys! Thanks !M! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john kosmatka Posted March 29, 2005 Share Posted March 29, 2005 Yeah' date=' you're not kidding. I guess I'll have to "suit up" everytime I want to take her for a spin. !M![/quote'] Just like a motorcycle:wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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