Okay, so I’ve been messing around with my ride lately, and one thing I really wanted to upgrade was the safety harness. I kept seeing “Jones Racing Belts” pop up in forums and stuff, so I figured I’d give them a shot. Here’s how the whole thing went down.
The Old Setup
First off, my old belts were, well, old. They were the standard ones that came with the car, and frankly, they felt kinda flimsy. I never felt super secure, especially when I was pushing it a little harder on the track. Plus, they were a pain to adjust. Always getting twisted and tangled. Time for a change!
Getting My Hands on the Jones Belts
I did some digging around, checked out a few different brands, but kept coming back to Jones. They seemed to have a good rep for being strong and reliable. I ended up ordering a set online – a 5-point harness, because, you know, safety first! When the package arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. Ripped that thing open and started checking everything out.
Installation Time!
This is where things got a little… interesting. I’m no professional mechanic, but I’m pretty handy. I figured I could handle it. I started by removing the old belts, which was pretty straightforward. Just a few bolts here and there. Then came the fun part – putting the new ones in.
- Mounting Points: First, I had to figure out where to mount the new belts. Luckily, my car already had some decent mounting points, so I didn’t have to do any crazy drilling or welding.
- Shoulder Straps: Getting the shoulder straps routed correctly was a bit of a puzzle. I had to make sure they went over the seats and through the harness bar just right. Took a little trial and error, but I got there.
- Lap Belts: The lap belts were easier. They just bolted into the existing mounting points on the floor.
- Submarine Strap: The fifth point, the submarine strap, was a new one for me. This one goes between your legs and prevents you from sliding under the lap belt in a crash. I had to find a good spot to mount that one, too.
- Adjustments: Once everything was bolted in, I spent a good chunk of time adjusting the straps. It’s super important to get them snug, but not too tight. You want to be held securely, but still be able to move a little.
The Finished Product
After a few hours of tinkering, I finally had the Jones Racing Belts installed! I hopped in the driver’s seat and strapped myself in. Man, what a difference! I felt way more secure and locked in. The belts were comfortable, and the adjustment mechanism was smooth and easy to use. No more fighting with tangled straps!
Honestly, I’m really happy with how it all turned out. It was a bit of a project, but totally worth it. I feel a lot safer now, and that peace of mind is priceless. I also think it improved driving exprience.
