New to the Argo world. Looking for Seat Belts

[Domino]

So I purchased an Argo 750HDi 8x8 last week. I have taken it for a run on our trail and runs through it without skipping a beat.

The problem it that it can be bumpy and holding in the seats can be knee bashing painful.

I have done many searches looking for Seat Belts installation for Argos without ROPS.

I have found a source for seat belts, but where can I attach them? I want 4 seat belts, 2 in the front, 2 in the back for the optional Rear Bench Seat.

Any ideas?

[Dan67]

First off.. Slow down, these machines are not made to go down trails like a 4wheeler or side-by-side. Slow going and keep on chugging is where our machines thrive. Second thing. I would avoid seat belts on any machine that does not have a roll bar/cage installed. I'd rather get thrown/jump out in case of a roll over. If swimming, you do not want to be buckled in.

[Rusty-Gunn]

I agree. You don't want to be strapped in when you pancake the machine. Get a rops with the belts.

[ARGOJIM]

If you feel the need for seat belts get the ROPS kit or have a cage built and then always wear them, seat belts in a unprotected machine is not good or safe and will do more harm then good. Have your passengers hold on at all times and learn to brace yourself for what you are about to do, if you just got the machine slow down and get used to it, all 6x6 racing machines have cages.

[Domino]

Very strange answers. I have no desire to debate my usage of my Argo. I will be installing seat belts for passenger safety. I not a yahoo trying to prove it what it can do.

I never said anything about speed, and so nice assumption.

Does anyone have any experience with seat belt installation without rope?

Rops makes the argo far more likely to rollover. Why would I ever install such an option? (please don't answer)

[Mike]

First, relax. This is a place where everyone is here to help. Nobody has any ill will towards you in any of their responses. What everyone is saying to you is don't install seatbelts without installing a roll cage. It is a dangerous idea. You don't want you or your passengers strapped to your machine if it flips unless you have a roll cage. If you install the seat belts, install a cage. If you don't install the cage, don't install the seat belts.

As for the speed assumption, the reason you got that response is that many of the guys posting in this thread have Argos without roll cages or seat belts and they don't have the same problem of constantly bashing their knees. There are other things that came to my mind other than speed though: Are you running a lot of pressure in your tires? If you run 2-3 PSI it will help soften the ride tremendously. How tall are you?

[ARGOJIM]

Sorry if you took my response as chastising as it was not meant to be, you'll find that many members on here have a lot of seat time and are looking out for your well being. The reason I assumed (and probably Dan67) you were going fast was the way you phrased your question, the Argo 8x8's and the HDI with the 25 inch tires in particular are probably the smoothest riding AATV's made so with knee bashing we relate to speed be it mph or harshness of turns.
The no seat belts no cage thing is for your safety as in the unexpected rollover you are much safer either jumping or being ejected than have a 1300 lb machine on top of you, hopefully this never happens but unexpected is unexpected.
A suggestion and something I had thought about before could be seeing your local auto interior shop, have them recover your seats with some wedges molded in, that will limit were you sit though.
Good luck with the new machine and have fun.

[Domino]

At higher speeds (high for an Argo) I am on flat surfaces. The need for seat belts on these surfaces during speed is just not there. It is when we are going slow, and usually when I an applying the brakes carefully coming down a small incline, or approaching rocks where the stopping and steering makes it difficult for my passenger (holding on) to stay in position. At no time does the terrain we are crossing pose a risk of roll over as it is mostly flat rock surface. The odd area going through trees is bumpy. It would actually be smoother if I travelled a little faster but I don't want to damage the axles and I usually have to steer through trees at the same time. I will also be taking the Argo into a lake so I will not consider a ROPS as it will make it dangerous in the water. I am aware that I do not want to have seat belts fastened during water trips.

That said, the seat belts are purely to help my passengers stay in their seats so that they do not get injured. I have made this same trip through the same terrain with a side by side and its higher center of gravity was never a risk of rollover.

Will the body of the Argo support seat belts if bolted through with large washers on the back? If you have ROPS, where do the belts attach for the center attachments between the driver and passenger?

[JoeMeg]

I just used 1/4" x 2" x 2" Alum angle mounted to the machine then installed the harness anchors into it. I will try to get a good pic this eve and post it later or tomorrow.
Here is the only one I currently have in gallery. The angle is on the back of the seat back cushion and the piece for lap belts is fastened to the machine 6-8" below it. Hard to see clearly in this pic.




Joe.

[Domino]

Thanks JoeMeg, that would be helpful.

[Rock Doctor]

I will be the last person to try to tell you what to do, or how to do it, but you are obviously here looking for opinions, so here are my thoughts.

The only way I've seen Seatbelts mounted is straight down to the frame. Outside of the 2 belts straight down to the frame rails, and the inside of the 2 belts down to the frame cross member under the front seat, and down to the hitch bracket for the back seat. Slots have to be cut into the floor pan to accomodate the belts.
Having said that, I would not Belt up in a machine without a ROPS. I've only ever seen 2 Argo's flip over (I was in one of them), BOTH times, you would NEVER, in a million years, have though it would happen in those particular places (To this day, I still don't know how it was possible to roll in those spots)
Perhaps you might consider changing your driving style? For example: You mentioned "knee Bashing" when Braking downhill, or aproaching rocks..... I know EXACTLY what you mean, being a bit over 6' myself. My solution is to press my knee against the dash before it smacks into the dash.
As for the seatbelt to keep passengers in their seats..... My experience is that this practice is absolutly BRUTAL on the passengers. Hard on the hips, hard on the lower back, hard on the blood circulation to the legs.
I've only ever injured on of my kids in the Argo, and that was a face smacking into the "Holy **** Handle" on the top of the front seat Backrest. Solution is not to strap the kid in, it was to pad the Handle for next time.

I've been doing this for a long time, thouands of hours, Decades actually, and have seen many more issues arise from wearing Belts than Not wearing belts
Anyhoo, just an opinion, and we all know what "they" say about opinions

Whatever you do, I'm sure it will work for your conditions. None of us can make that call for you.

RD

[Rusty-Gunn]

I've seen pics and vids of Argos, and other aatvs, in water. Some say it seems top heavy, others say it isn't. This won't stop me from building a rops this summer for my Avenger. Only then will I install seat belts.

[JoeMeg]

Domino,as promised,here are some pics.



These are of the lap belt anchors

,,


Here is the shoulder strap anchor,I originaly used the "spaced" holes but didn't like the the way the straps slid down my shoulders so I changed to one central mtg. point.



Kind of an overview and also showing the passenger side anchors w/o the belts.



Hope this helps.

Joe.

[lisles]

I have thought it would be great being belted in my 8 wheel HDI but the thought of a possible roll over scares me too without an ROP. I am in British Columbia Canada where we have lots of steep rocky trails.Going up them is easy but coming down is when I would like being held in my seat better.The passenger seat is even worse to stay in and after a few hours I hear complaints of stiff and sore body parts from hanging on for dear life.

[North Country Tough]

So I purchased an Argo 750HDi 8x8 last week. I have taken it for a run on our trail and runs through it without skipping a beat.

The problem it that it can be bumpy and holding in the seats can be knee bashing painful.

I have done many searches looking for Seat Belts installation for Argos without ROPS.

I have found a source for seat belts, but where can I attach them? I want 4 seat belts, 2 in the front, 2 in the back for the optional Rear Bench Seat.

Any ideas?

Get a hold of your nearest dealer or pitch a call off to ODG Argo they can fix you up,safety they take seriously and have the answers you need,enjoy your Argo its a great machine and enjoy this site many years of experience here and great people,glad to have you aboard keep in touch as the answers you find will help others down the road.NCT