Harnesses

Interior » Harnesses

Harnesses

Racing harnesses come in a variety of designs and configurations.  You’ll often hear them referred to as “4-Point” or “6-Point” belts.  A 4-Point belt is called such because it is anchored in four locations – two anchors for each side of the lap belt and an anchor for each of the two shoulder belts.  A 4-Point racing harnesses by itself is never recommended.  Anti-submarine belts, which make up the fifth and sixth attachment point in a 6-Point belt, must also be fitted to provide adequate protection to the driver.  Without anti-sub belts the driver’s body will want to slide underneath the lap belt during frontal impacts.  A 6-Point harness will come complete with anti-sub belts already fitted to it.  For those with 4-Point belts, anti-sub belts can typically be purchased and added to your existing belts.

The SFI Foundation administers and regulates standards for the manufacturing of performance automotive and racing equipment such as harnesses.  To ensure the integrity of the harnesses you choose to protect you, be sure to look for the SFI certification logo on any belt you consider for purchase.  Not only will this ensure that the product is engineered to a high standard, but it is also required by most racing organizations.  The SFI logo will also feature a date of manufacture.  It is recommended for all and required by most racing organizations that the harness be replaced every two years.  Don’t make the mistake of buying non-certified or expired belts.  

Proper installation is vital to the performance of your harnesses.  In order to properly anchor your harness you will require sturdy mounting points.  For the lap belts and anti-sub belts, the floor of your vehicle will be strong enough with the addition of a large backing plate to anchor the bolts.  For the shoulder belts, a harness bar (attached to rollover protection) is usually necessary to properly locate and anchor the belts.  Please note that the location of these mounting points is also important to ensure the harness is able to work as designed.  Additionally, it will be necessary to install a racing seat designed for use with harnesses.  It is strongly recommended to have a qualified professional install your harnesses if you are unsure of the proper procedure.

There are some manufacturers that make harnesses that are designed to work with stock seats and bolt into factory locations.  No additional drilling or modifications are necessary to use these types of harnesses.  These are a good choice for those who still wish to use their vehicles on public streets.

Purchasing and installing harnesses can be a complex process.  There are a lot of variables to consider when choosing a harness – length of the belts, pull-up or pull-down, cam-lock or latch-link, 2” or 3”, anchor type, anti-sub straps, etc.  Although many of these variables depend upon personal preference, please contact us directly if you are unsure of where to begin.