hard dog rollbar installation

[n1gzd]

Hi,

I started installing my hard dog M1 Hard Core Hard Top roll with seatbelt bar today. I did not succeed before it started getting a little too dark and cold. After about 4 hours I began to realize that I must be missing some instructions. I see now after checking out the Bethania Garage website that I was missing the figures that show that for this model roll bar you need to cut the package shelf. I was also struggling with some parts of the wiring harness that were in the way as well (problem was pretty well relieved on the drivers side). I think that I know what I need to do now but I won't have a chance to try until saturday (or friday if I can take the day off).

I will tell you, it was a little hard removing my hard top and placing the roll bar on the car all by myself but I did it. I probably should have waited until could find someone to help but I was anixous to get it done. Tomorrow I will probably have some strange sore muscles.

If anyone has nothing better to do next saturday and is familar with this insallation and wants to stop by my hangar (North Andover) to give me a few tips I would appreciate the second set of eyes (lunch on me). I think that I will be ok on my own but it would be nice if someone who already did it checked out what I am doing.

I will be glad to get this done because rollbar and hard top off the car take up too much space.

Rebecca

[breakaway500]

No heat and no lights? How..barbaric!

You should consider buying a pair of work lights like these:

They are inexpensive and don't take up much room either..


They throw off a lot of light and heat! (available most anywhere for around $35)



PM'd...

[Stynger]

Kudos for getting the hard top off single handed

[nateh]

And for easy one-person rollbar installation, get one of these as well.

[WillM]

While it can be done solo, this is really a 2-person job, especially if you are working without air-powered tools. Life will be so much easier having a set of hands under the car and a set above the car. Installing the bolts/backing plates can be a chore, even with a helper.

Tips:
1. Completely remove the seats & rear carpet. There should be two large pieces of carpet - the package shelf area and the rear bulkhead (behind the seats).
2. Completely remove the package shelf. After the bar is in place, trim the packing shelf with tin snips. Leave a little extra clearance room, but don't be too generous. You still want to seal off the trunk from the cockpit. Upon final installation of the package tray, use aluminum tape to seal the gaps.
3. Use a bit of RTV to seal the backing plates / bolt holes. This should keep out water / moisture and reduce the possibility of rust.
4. Keep the car level at all times. Taking the rear wheels off will give you a lot more room to work under the car, so if you jack the rear, jack the front too. Maybe I'm too particular about this, but I would want the chassis to be perfectly level while attaching the rollbar. Uneven jacking of the corners = unwanted chassis flex.

Good luck!

- Will

[n1gzd]

Thanks for the excellent suggestions!
Rebecca

[MiataSteve]

Is the install in progress?

[n1gzd]

It is in progress. I hope to finish tomorrow.
Rebecca

[n1gzd]

I did not make any progress afterall (got side tracked by looking for a used truck). I will try again next weekend (but I need to get my aircraft annual inspection done before it gets too cold - no heat - usually 20-40 hours of work).

Rebecca

[Tim Mahoney]

Want a set of Hard Dog Door Bars to help out that chassis? They integrate nicley with the HD roll bar and help stiffen the floorpan quite a bit.

I just finished removing my Hard Dog roll bar, door bars, soft top, etc. to prep for a cage. They'll all be up on the classified section soon. Shoot me a PM if interested.

[WillM]

Want a set of Hard Dog Door Bars to help out that chassis? They integrate nicley with the HD roll bar and help stiffen the floorpan quite a bit.

I just finished removing my Hard Dog roll bar, door bars, soft top, etc. to prep for a cage. They'll all be up on the classified section soon. Shoot me a PM if interested.

Those stiffen the chassis nicely - I had them in my first track car before I went full cage. If you are going to do it, now is the time, as they share the front mounting points with the rollbar!