Brief Description: The crotch strap kit arrived, started installation
The Van's Crotch Strap Kit arrived by mail yesterday, so today I started the installation. The instructions are staight forward leaving plenty of leeway to make adjustments as necessary. I started with the copilot's side first and found that I matchdrilled the rib holes at a slight angle aft, but that should not be a problem. It's difficult to get the parts perfectlly perpendicular to the floor when you put the seat pan over the assembly to matchdrill the holes in the top flanges. Once drilled, I left the parts in place while I matchdrilled the holes through the ribs. I'm sure the slow build kit people had plenty of access to the ribs, but with the QB kit I found it difficult to drill the rib holes perfectly, at least on the first attempt. The pilot's side was easier after learning from the copilot's side mistakes.
We have the Hooker Harnesses and knew about the different size bolt holes from reading the forums, therefore, we had no problems with having to ream out the AN4 bolt bushing on the crotch strap to an AN5 bolt that Vans uses. Thank goodness for the forums! All-in-all the installation was not bad. I'll not rivet the parts in place until I check the wiring for the Infinity stick grips. I'll be using two terminal blocks and I haven't decided their final postion yet.
Looking straight down on the crotch strap kit.
Looking from the aft with parts clecoed.
Looking from forward at parts clecoed on pilot's side.
