Guest Posted January 3, 2003 Share Posted January 3, 2003 Hi all, I collected my bodywork recently and was going to start fitting it but the manual recommends fitting the rollover bar very early on. The problem is I have not yet decided what bar to get - RAC (no hood ); 50mm (dangerous? ) Question is: is it possible to fit the body first and then add the rollbar later or am I going to make it very difficult for myself? Thanks, - Dan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 I suspect your problem is going to be that the two different roll bars have different fixings. The RAC has a flange at each side which fixes via 3 bolts, not sure about the standard bar but doesn't it fix via just one central bolt/stud? When you fit the bodywork the little flange on the bodywork which is sandwiched by the roll bar is the key reference point and the first point to be fixed, so it needs to be right and needs to be fixed securely. You can see the bolt holes here and here with the bar fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steppenwolf Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 not sure about the standard bar but doesn't it fix via just one central bolt/stud? Yes it does have a single bolt hole right in the middle of the flange. There is a threaded tube welded inside the base of the upright portion of the standard roll bar ( M12mm x 40mm ) and as Bob says, the position of the whole of the bodywork is based on this portion being correctly positioned. If you really cannot decide on which roll bar to fit ( pause for Blatman and others to dive in here!! ) you could position the body as specified in the manual ( ensuring the magic 400mm datum point is achieved ) and drill the two ( one each side ) 12.5mm holes through the glass fibre and chassis mounting plate and retain the body in position with a 12mm bolt and large washers so that you can continue the rest of the assembly while you continue your deliberations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 Stepps It may be a misleading avatar But does your head with skid lid stand above your roll bar Haxsaw - if above is right - a good reason for fitting an RAC braced type bar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 It may be a misleading avatar But does your head with skid lid stand above your roll bar It does. I've nagged Stepps about this already. Suffice to say he needs no more ear bending on the rollover bar issue.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steppenwolf Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 It may be a misleading avatar But does your head with skid lid stand above your roll bar The avatar picture shows excessive distortion due to a wide angle lens so it exaggerates the height of the helmet/roll bar but your point is well made. Why the bl**dy h*ll do they supply them as standard with the modular kit if they are considered unsafe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blatman Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 Evenin'........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 Why the bl**dy h*ll do they supply them as standard with the modular kit if they are considered unsafe? That is a personal thing really Who considers them unsafe - Personally I don't, when used correctly for their specific purpose. If you're Mr. average height using Westfield seats etc - You would surely sit below the roll bar No grief there Above average height and it could be a diffrent matter Westfield cannot be expected to produce spec roll bars for individual height factors They do provide two options with the RAC one slightly taller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 If you're Mr. average height using Westfield seats etc - You would surely sit below the roll bar No grief there Since I'm quite short I'm sure my head would be below the standard bar. However, I thought the problem was that the standard bar was not strong enough to hold the car's weight after a roll, making the actual height pretty academic if it flattens anyway..... If I'm wrong then I'll get the standard, which means easy ( ? ) hood fitting - Dan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Stanton Posted January 4, 2003 Share Posted January 4, 2003 thought the problem was that the standard bar was not strong enough to hold the car's weight after a roll If you are making that decision by one photograph of a crashed car - then don't - no-one but the driver or investigative team have ALL the facts. if they do ?? My advice would be to speak to the specialist manufacturer who designs & makes them i.e Westfield, just discuss any design queries with them - they are the ones directly responsible for the production and manufacture of the item in question. I'm sure they will be most accommodating and be able to offer professional design guidance and provide the suitable safety test results and certification, as necessary, for both standard and RAC type bars to allow you to make your decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 5, 2003 Share Posted January 5, 2003 speak to the specialist manufacturer who designs & makes them The voice of reason Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimNoble Posted January 5, 2003 Share Posted January 5, 2003 If you ask Westfield, they will tell you that the standard bar is cosmetic only... Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steppenwolf Posted January 5, 2003 Share Posted January 5, 2003 If you ask Westfield, they will tell you that the standard bar is cosmetic only... Not when I asked them in December they didn't! Don't get me wrong, the RAC roll bar is clearly more substantial but last month the company line was unchanged ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H Posted January 6, 2003 Share Posted January 6, 2003 Are we still on this subject? IMO the std rollbar isn't unsafe but driving on a public road in a manner which may cause you to depend on it to save your life/scalp is unsafe - slight difference. Mike PS. don't forget if you are planning on rolling you car then your bonce would need to be below the line between rollbar top and the nose of your car if it's not going to get scraped. For me, at 6' 3" a roll bar to do that would also make a very good air brake and may prevent me getting under a few low bridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SEiGHT Posted January 6, 2003 Share Posted January 6, 2003 If you are making that decision by one photograph of a crashed car - then don't - no-one but the driver or investigative team have ALL the facts. if they do ?? Looking at that squashed Westie picture it looks to me like the rollbar is one of the "older" (?) type in that it is 3 straights with 2 90 degree bends in it. The "newer" (?) type that I have fitted is 5 straights with 4 x 45 degree bends if you get my drift. i.e. mine is one of these.... To me eyes, it looks to be made of stronger stuff than the older types, although it is even lower than before so you then get into the "adequate height" discussion. I've decided to fit an FIA rollbar this year as I hope to be taking part in the Speed Series and want to feel as safe as possible ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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