In the February '12 issue of Modified Mustangs & Fords, you may have caught our previous interior upgrade installment on our resident '66 fastback project car, a Colt of Personality. This month, we continue on our upgrade path with the addition of a Mustangs Plus street rollbar and removable crossbrace, along with Corbeau's A4 bucket seats and five-point harnesses.
While our Colt was equipped with factory restraints, they simply aren't going to be enough given the upcoming changes we'll be making to the suspension, drivetrain, and wheel/tire package. We're also looking to spend a bit of time on various road and autocross courses, and the last thing you want to worry about is being securely fastened in the car.
The great thing about the modifications we will be making is that they will be reversible with a bit of work if you're worried about the value of your vintage Mustang. Before you make any purchases, though, be sure to check with sanctioning body of your local track or organization, as safety requirements can differ between them.
Since we wanted to retain the use of the back seat, we called up Mustangs Plus in Stockton, California, and ordered one of its street rollbars. This piece fits '65-'70 Mustangs, with different versions for coupes, fastbacks, and convertibles. The four-point Street bar doesn't include a crossbrace, however Mustangs Plus does offer both permanent weld-in and removable braces, the latter of which we chose for this project. The Street bar for fastbacks (PN 04274) retails for $389.95, while the removable crossbrace (PN 02502) for the same model sells for $94.95. The crossbrace has tabs that will need to be welded in, but after that, there are just two bolts that allow you to resume access to your back seat.
We covered the Corbeau A4 bucket seats in the previous installment in all their leather-clad glory, as well as Corbeau's five-point harness belts. The 3-inch, five-point harness belts we chose were equipped with the optional camlock, but a traditional latch and link quick release is available--both are SFI 16.1 approved. Check out the photos and captions to see how the installation procedure unfolds. We'll be upgrading the lighting on our pro-touring Pony next, before embarking on our TCI IFS suspension installation. Stay tuned.
1 The Mustangs Plus Street...
1 The Mustangs Plus Street Bar comes as a main hoop with the feet welded into place, along with the two rear kickout bars with the feet welded into place. Since we opted to install the company's removable crossbrace, we relied on the skills of City Boy Pete Epple to weld in the tabs for it prior to any paint or powdercoat. After mocking up the seats and rollbar in the car, we were able to determine the height of the crossbrace, as you want the shoulder belts to run horizontally backwards, or at no more than a 20-degree angle down to the crossbrace. Check with your sanctioning body, as each may have its own preferences. As a general rule, the ideal upper anchor points should not be further back than 8 inches from the back of the seat.
2 We had to modify our kickout...
2 We had to modify our kickout bars slightly due to the Goodmark extra-wide wheeltubs we have in the car.
3 The kickouts were tack...
3 The kickouts were tack welded into place, and then we checked the angle of the main hoop and all mounting points to make sure they were still in the original positions. Then we removed the assembly and had ace handyman Marc Christ complete the welds.
4 With the kickouts and crossbrace...
4 With the kickouts and crossbrace tabs welded in, we can now move on to welding in the main mounting points. Alternately, the Street bar can be bolted in as well.
5 Our next step was to install...
5 Our next step was to install the mounting point for the submarine belt of our Corbeau five-point harness. Location requirements will vary, but we opted to go to the back of the seat riser so we only had to go through one layer of sheetmetal.
6 After drilling the hole...
6 After drilling the hole for the sub belt, we installed the new carpet we obtained from National Parts Depot. Make sure you fit all of the corners and have it pulled into its final resting place before moving on to punching the holes through it.
7 We located the seat bolt...
7 We located the seat bolt holes and then used the pointy end of a ladyfoot prybar to open the hole. We followed that with a larger brass punch, and then trimmed the holes from the back side of the carpet for a clean opening.
8 While we used the stock...
8 While we used the stock lap belt mounting points for that part of the harness, the sub belt had no such opportunity, so having opened up the carpet to our previously drilled hole in the floor, we utilized top and bottom plates that we made from stainless steel and nut and bolted the belt.
9 With the belts and seats...
9 With the belts and seats now in place, you can trim the carpet as needed.
9a Going around the round...
9a Going around the round rollbar can be tricky to get a tight fit, but patience will pay dividends here--just cut a little at a time.
10 With the Corbeau harnesses...
10 With the Corbeau harnesses utilizing a different type of buckle than the factory restraints, we had to modify the rocker sill plates for clearance. Make sure you debur the edges to prevent any abrasion to the belts.
11 With the primary driver...
11 With the primary driver in the optimum driving position, you can set the length of the belts to allow for proper adjustment and fitment.
12 The Corbeau five-point...
12 The Corbeau five-point harnesses offer two different mounting methods. We're obviously wrapping ours around the crossbrace. When doing this, you'll want to position the three-bar buckle as close to the mounting bar as possible to reduce the chance of the belt moving laterally. It will also reduce the amount of belt stretch in an accident situation.
13 Just as with your factory...
13 Just as with your factory belts, your lap belts should rest at the intersection of your legs and pelvis. The cam lock should rest in this area as well. Be sure to account for the upper restraints moving the harness upwards after tightening. The upper adjustment buckles also need to be down and away from the neck area, while allowing you to tighten the belts as needed.
14 One problem that we've...
14 One problem that we've yet to resolve is the interference issue with the stock steering wheel and the driver's leg. Currently it's making heel-toe downshifting impossible, not to mention your hand catches your leg in sharp turns. We'll address that in an upcoming issue by installing a smaller diameter, performance-oriented wheel.
15 Our Colt Of Personality's interior is finally taking on its performance-oriented mentality now with the addition of the Corbeau A4 bucket seats, five-point harnesses, and the Mustangs Plus rollbar.