4 point harness

[JimexPL]

I've decided to finally fit my harnesses in to the mini, but cannot decide what would be the best method to do it.

At the moment my two thoughts are -

Buy a rear half cage with a harness bar
or...
Weld some spreader plates in the boot near to the top of the rear seat back to screw some eye bolts in to.

I shouldn't have an issue with the cage on my insurance, but I do like the relative originality of the car ('79 GT with original paint, period webasto roof and alleycat alloys), albeit with a 104hp 1330 in.

Your thoughts please!

[Cooperman]

If you take the harnesses down to run between the horizontal and vertical rear seat cushions, you can fit the retaining plates in the vertical panel adjacent to the joint with the seat base panel. That's what I always do and it meets the requirements for motor sport scrutineering.

[DanGT]

I did the same as copperman and it worked very well. No problem with MOT or srutternering.

[R4NDY]

I also did same as cooperman, although mine was a later shell and was able to use the seatbelt mounts!!!

[JimexPL]

R4NDY said:

I also did same as cooperman, although mine was a later shell and was able to use the seatbelt mounts!!!

Guess I will also be doing the same as cooperman! It will be the first time in at least 10 years that my mini will feel vaguely safe, rather than the worrying gap between my chest and the seatbelt...

Another question, probably for cooperman - do you strenghten the top steering column mount at all on your rally car?
There is a bit of flex in mine (which has a drop bracket), which results in quite a bit of column vibration over certain road surfaces when the shocks are wound up.
Having hardly driven the car since 2000 (about 200 miles a year), I'm finally getting round to sorting a few jobs out now that it might spend a bit of time with me in London rather than being tucked away in Leicestershire.

[Cooperman]

No Jim, I've never found the steering column to be a problem. You might change the bush at the bottom if it's vibrating/shaking. I use a column-dropper (of course).
What are you going to use your car for, competition or road use?

[DanGT]

There is a kit that mini spares do (probably others) with the oiled felt and plastic part for the steering clome. The felt part dose dry out but I dont know if this is the movement you are talking about?

[JimexPL]

Cannot remember what drop kit is on it.
I'll take a look at all of the fixings and the bushes next weekend.

I don't been intending on competing in the car; just the occasional track day when I fancy a change from hiring a caterham or taking the bmw (which eats brake pads).