aftermarket seats, harnesses

[VTStang66]

I'm putting an 8 point bar in the 66 fastback, and I'm going to upgrade the seats and belts. I've looked around on here and I see people saying it's no problem to put pretty much any ford seat there is into these cars, so I'm going to go junkyarding and see what's out there. If I don't find anything great there, I'm thinking of coughing up the $600 or so for a set of aftermarket seats, like the procars or corbeaus.

I'm also going to do 4 or 5 point belts while I'm at it. I know people say they aren't street legal, but I'll deal with that if/when I have to. I see a lot of 5 point belts in Jeg's, but no 4 pointers. Is the 5th belt (crotch strap) optional? Will the harness work (latch) without it? It seems a little excessive for a car that will hardly see any track time.

And with a seat upgrade, are there any seats that are better for the 4 or 5 points? I see some that have the cutouts through the seats, are those necessary? Just trying to get ideas so I can get started on this, the progress on this car is absolutely crawling along and it's killing me.

 

[phast69]

If you're going the speed in 1/4's that requires you to have an 8pt cage I almost guarantee they'll require you to have a 5pt harness. W/ that said I'll try to find the thread talking about why harnesses aren't good for you if attached wrong.

Basically the rear straps have to come down at a 45* angle or something or else they'll crush you if you were to get into a collision.

As for seats...I've heard the Scat Procar or Rally seats are pretty good and have a damn good price on them. Then just buy their adapters and it should pretty much bolt right now. I'm positive the thread I'm looking for w/ the harnesses is on this site...along w/ the seat thread.

Hopefully I'll BRB w/ some answers.

 

[phast69]

Here's one seat thread

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=619347



http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=684645&highlight=harness


I'll edit this if I find more.


This one probably has the best info

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=551058&highlight=point+harness

 

[iskwezm]

Most of the after market seat are gonna raise the seat bottom, so be careful with the headroom. I put some Acura RSX seats in a buddies 66 coupe.I just cut off the Acura seat mounts,welded some steel strap across the sliders,welde some bolts to mount in the stock floorpan and done.Didnt make a dime, but it looked sweet

I have the RJS 5 points in my fastback(roll bar mount)I didnt use the sub strap(crotch strap and it will work without it

 

[67bluestang]

The 5 point harness can be used without the crotch strap, at least for the street. One thing to remember, if you put the 5 point harness in and you decide to go to the dragstrip, make sure they aren't expired. ALL harness's are required to be updated every 2 years. You either buy a new set or send your old ones in for renew/update. Not all manufacturers update their belts, so keep this in mind when purchasing.
The harness lap belt can be anchored in the original seat belt holes. The harness will need to be fastened to the crossbar on the roll bar. That bar should be even to 4" below your shoulders when in the seat. You can either get the wraparound or bolt in for the harness.

I bought the Scat Pro Car seats for my 67 and they are a very nice seat and comfortable. Fairly easy installation and you don't sit to high.

 

[66 Restomod]

The Corbeaus will raise the seat too much. I bought them for my 66, didn't fit well at all and sold them on ebay. Expensive lesson... One reason is that the stock seats have springs that let you sink into them when you sit down. Aftermarket seats have a durable molded foam on a frame design. So you sit on them rather than sinking into them. Makes a difference in headroom and kneeroom.

 

[CraigMBA]

I lowered my seat pans 2"

Think that's enough to accomdate for the higher seat?

 

[66 Restomod]

2" sounds good. If you are 6 feet or less, don't wear a helmet, and have a smaller diameter steering wheel than stock, I think you'll be just fine with most seats and that 2" pan drop. If any one of those points are not met, I really don't know. Perhaps a local seat dealer will let ya test fit one.

 

[CraigMBA]

I'm 6'3", stock wheel, and plan to use this as a track (HPDE) car.

I'm gonna take a trip to Sube Sports and see what's what.

 

[VTStang66]

I'd get a smaller wheel if you're using it on the track; making hard turns with the stock wheel is like slaloming in a school bus.

 

[CraigMBA]

I've got a Pro Motorsports bump steer corrector so my effective ratio is much reduced.

I had considered getting another steering wheel, but my problem is lack of dish. All the aftermarket pieces take the wheel away from me and putting it closer into my knee. I'm a big guy, I need the wheel CLOSER not further from me.