Roll bars in a Cab - Page 2

Wil Ferch · 10-30-2002, 06:29 AM

Guys:
Once you know what you'll do in tems of installing a bar, keep in mind you won't be much different than a Jeep Wrangler that has a roll bar...exposing rear seat passengers to banging their heads. Seems to me that the zipped-in cushioned lining for the Jeeps had to pass Federal Safety standards....and something similar could be used to protect rear passengers in roll-bar equipped 911's.

---Wil Ferch

83911sc · 02-20-2003, 04:43 AM

Any news on this fabrication project?

If not, based upon the searches I've done, it looks like DAS is the way to go - does anyone have any other suggestions / input for an 83 cab?

Thanks

Adam

BlkBird · 02-20-2003, 04:59 AM

Adam et all,

I ended up going for the DAS roll bar. The logic of not having my kids in the rear banging their heads on the hoop convinced me that an easy in/easy out alternative was the way to go.

And the DAS fits that description!

Bought mine through Performance Products for around $650. Honestly it is such a good fit you would have thought they used my car for a welding jig! I even went so far as to write Ryan at DAS and send them my compliments and thanks. And some bad photos but those were my fault.

Get the DAS if you want a roll bar. More expensive yes, but the fit is beyond reproach.

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 06:34 AM

From a safety standpoint... I agree fully with the caveat about bouncing small heads that occupy the rear seats. May want to look at racer's foam padding...or even the stuf used for Jeep Wranglers and their rear bars...it must pass some sort of OEM safety standards.
The DAS bar..at least for the coupe...requires the seat "backs" to be removed. In a pinch, I guess, the rear seats are still usable by little people even without the backrest. But DO take care about the head banging factor. See other DAS post where I post more.

An alternative "might" be a Safety Devices roll bar or roll cage. Has a removable cross bar and removable diagonal. See
http://stable-energies.com/safdev/safety.html

http://www.safetydevices.co.uk/

http://www.safetydevices.co.uk/oldsite/

---Wil Ferch

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 06:44 AM

More..
Forgot to mention that the Safety Devices is a built up unit where you can (either) buy the pieces to make up a rear section...or the additional pieces to add the front section...your call. Front can even be put in "later"..although with a little more trouble than if you do it all at once.
Design is also nice in that you can (optionally) add a side door brace if you like...likewise removable. Comes powder coated. Downside...I've found Stable Energies, the US importer..hard to deal with with a friend's Safety Devices purchase...and had better luck when I got the head of Safety Devices in England engaged in our problem.
---Wil Ferch

APKhaos · 02-20-2003, 07:17 AM

Will,
I am trying to decide between the Safety Devices bar [preferred] and the DAS bar. How big of a project were the weld-in nut plates for the SD bar? The nice thing about the DAS bar is the 'bolt-on' simplicity. Is the SD nut plate issue a biggie??

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

Interested fof future reference ...

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 07:51 AM

I like both the SD and DAS bars...comes down to whether the quick install/removal aspect of DAS ( and/or mounting and removing without tell-tale signs) are more important than a possible full cage.
The nut plates of the SD design...admittedly..will ruin the convertability back to stock, but some may say careful slitting of carpeting and such will tend to hide such things. The SD fits *very* tightly alongside the inner portion of the car..so it's nice *when* installed but a bit of a bear *to* install. The DAS doesn't have the option of a removable cross bar or removable diagonal..as does SD..so this too is a factor if there are are little people in the back at times. SD also lends itself to full 6 point cage contruction, or rear-section only as stated.
I would personally consider these on my short list of two finalists...depends what you want.
---Wil Ferch

Rob McKibbon · 02-20-2003, 07:57 AM

Thanks guys! I like the removable roll bar concept and would definately use that idea if needed.
My cab came with a "large flathead screwdriver" to unlock the roof from the windshield header; does anyone know of a better tool for this function and where can I get one?
Thanks again, I'll keep an eye on this thread.
Rob

BlkBird · 02-20-2003, 07:58 AM

Will,

Actually the DAS does have the option of a removable diagonal brace. But the mounting points of the brace protrude quite a bit and could potentially scalp your kids getting in and out of the back.

Once I decided the roll bar was not going to be permanent for reasons of child safety, the DAS with permanent horizontal and diagonal braces became the easy candidate.

Again I cannot emphasize how well the DAS fit. No bending, prying or straining. No "tension" on the bolts to get everything to fit. Very nice piece of kit.

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 08:15 AM

At the time I put my comparo notes together..DAS didn't offer a removable cross or diagonal bar. Maybe it does today.
Welding-in the nut plates is job like it sounds...easy if you've done it before and has some hazards for a dual-purpose car if you haven't done it before..( car is not gutted like a race car)...but it can be done as was the case with my friend's car. If you understnad that going -in , it's not a bad way to go. Oh...SD's pipe diameters are about 1.5" , whereas DAS is 1.75"...the SD looks a little less "clubby" in that regard..if it matters. SD likewise comes in two gauge thicknesses that are good for cars over or under 2500 lbs all-up weight. If a specific racing class is under consideration, you may need to know that ( gauge thickness), as well as DAS's assertion that the "design" meets PCA rules...(it does in terms of material used and gauge thickness)..but DAS might not meet club racing rules on the basis of the mounting...need to check more carefully for this point if it's more than street/DE use.
---Wil Ferch

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 09:57 AM

More....
Here's a link from Greg Gulik's web page from Rennlist...good pics and ID's a small fitment problem when mounting with Recaro SRD seats...no biggie..

http://www.gagme.com/greg/911/hacks/rollbar.html

--Wil Ferch

Wil Ferch · 10:11 AM

Yet more....

Here is a link from Rennlister David Andersons's DAS bar...before he *tested* the bar's effectiveness during a recent DE when he went on his head.....this nice Carrera is now being parted out...bar is still fine..

C:\TEMP\d.data.notes\bar-2.s.jpg

---Wil Ferch

83911sc · 02-20-2003, 12:08 PM

great stuff, thanks for the replies!

anybody have a used DAS bar they want to get rid of

adam

APKhaos · 02-20-2003, 12:36 PM

I was there when David flipped his Carrera. The bar really worked well in a situation where the car flipped off a tire wall and landed on its roof. David was planning to turn the car into a dedicated track car last I heard, so its a bummer to now hear that he is parting it out.

Wil Ferch · 02-20-2003, 12:39 PM

Tony K:
Not to misrepresent David..that's what I meant...he *may* be turning his dual purpose car into a track car...and therefore may be parting out various pieces ...like interior...dunno all the details. Sorry for the confusion.
----Wil

Green 912 · 02-20-2003, 02:29 PM

Tony, Call me on the weld in plates aspect. I have 2 or 3 examples of how it will look and it makes for a sound and race legal setup. Just finished up on Bruce's and have not put the carpet back in yet if you want a look of the work. Will be reinstalling this weekend so don't dally if you want a look. My bar is in finished form for reference. Easy to cover the welded in plates with new carpet if desired later. You can even leave the original carpet out, uncut and save for later. I made a set of custom plates for Bruces car that fit tight and spread the stress load better.

Kurt

Chris Lovell · 02-28-2008, 06:16 PM

I just installed an OG Racing roll bar in the '86 Coupe. The tightness of the fit to the roof and door columns was very good. The "feet", on the other hand, which bolt into a threaded plate welded onto the chassis (lower) and bolt through into the wheel wells (upper) were quite mis-"angled" requiring I manufacture some steel shims to allow a solid fit. I welded the shims to the roll bar and was good to go. It came out very well but I cannot say the roll bar was a perfect fit as received direct from OG.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

It's been a few years....but I found a guy that built custom roll bars in San Diego. He made one for me on site for $450. I've had it in and out a few times....but now I just leave it in....I modded it to also be able to mount my bike.

My kid's are too big to put in the back seat anymore so I just leave it in now....