Fitting a roll bar
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Fitting a roll bar
I'm looking to buy a braced roll bar (4 point) kit with a harness bar for my 79. I'm wondering how they connect to the frame, like are they welded from underneath or do you cut oversize holes and weld from above? I'm looking at buying from Jegs or Summit, has anyone had experience with these kits?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
To use the Jegs main hoop, it requires welding to the frame down by the seat next to where the seat belts are located. If your very tall this could be a concern since your head is going to be very close to the top bar when not wearing a helmet. If your tall (6'+) there will be an fitment issue between you and the bar.
I had to custom fabricate my main hoop so I could sit it back closer to the rear window and I welded the main hoop to the frame just aft of the kick up area just outboard of the battery and storage compartments. It did require welding from the top (after cutting large holes in body), and from the underneath to get complete coverage.
Since my 76 is a street car and I don't drag race it much, I made mine removable along with the Kirkey seat. I used 4 high strength ARP bolts at each connection.
I had to custom fabricate my main hoop so I could sit it back closer to the rear window and I welded the main hoop to the frame just aft of the kick up area just outboard of the battery and storage compartments. It did require welding from the top (after cutting large holes in body), and from the underneath to get complete coverage.
Since my 76 is a street car and I don't drag race it much, I made mine removable along with the Kirkey seat. I used 4 high strength ARP bolts at each connection.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee WI
To use the Jegs main hoop, it requires welding to the frame down by the seat next to where the seat belts are located. If your very tall this could be a concern since your head is going to be very close to the top bar when not wearing a helmet. If your tall (6'+) there will be an fitment issue between you and the bar.
I had to custom fabricate my main hoop so I could sit it back closer to the rear window and I welded the main hoop to the frame just aft of the kick up area just outboard of the battery and storage compartments. It did require welding from the top (after cutting large holes in body), and from the underneath to get complete coverage.
I had to custom fabricate my main hoop so I could sit it back closer to the rear window and I welded the main hoop to the frame just aft of the kick up area just outboard of the battery and storage compartments. It did require welding from the top (after cutting large holes in body), and from the underneath to get complete coverage.
Even with the kit expect to put in a hard weekend of fab work on that roll bar.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
I'm in the middle of installing an NHRA legal 5 point in my '78.
Yes you have to cut large holes access the frame. I used a 4" hole saw for most of the cuts.
I bought my kit from Autoweld. They make a kit for our cars.
Yes you have to cut large holes access the frame. I used a 4" hole saw for most of the cuts.
I bought my kit from Autoweld. They make a kit for our cars.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
I would highly recomend replacing the body mounts before installing roll bar/cage.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
I've seen one or two where they are made to bolt it. You could weld plates to the end of the bars, drill holes in the plates, mark the frame with the roll bar in place, drill holes in the frame-then weld in flanged nuts to accept the bolts. Or maybe shape and weld 1/4" or thicker plates to the frame then drill and tap them but honestly if you really need to remove the body later on just cut the bar off and weld it back after-I wouldn't worry about it now.
Do you drag race? if so and your fast enough you will need a 5pt at least to be legal.
Do you drag race? if so and your fast enough you will need a 5pt at least to be legal.