Miata guys, Hard Dog roll bar?

[DanB]

I'm gonna need a roll bar for the S2000. Hard Dog just now taking orders, but unfortunately there isn't a whole lot in the way of pictures of installations.

Anyway, just a general question, what's been the Miata crowd's experience with Hard Dog roll bars?

TIA!

[Grippy]

Hard dog is generally considered THE bolt in bar to have. Good quality and support. Almost every bar you see in a Miata is a HD.

[WillM]

I agree 100% with G. Hard Dog is "the" bar. I've had several on various cars (and still have them). Only reason I've removed a Hard Dog is to install a cage. All of the Miata Hard Dog bars I'm familiar with have come with ample hardware and well written directions.

If you have any questions specific to the Hard Dog, I'd call them and speak with Tom. He's "the guy" and can discuss his products at length After a conversation with him, you'll understand why when it is time to lift the bar into the car, the directions tell you to, and I quote:
"Ya'll get some help"

Hard Dog (a.k.a. Bethania Garage) is in N.C.

[DanB]

Thanks a lot, fellers! That was my impression, wanted to get confirmation. Any other input, +ive or -ive, post it here!

db

[BrakeL8r]

Hard Dog roll bars are quality, period. Well made, line up to stock bolt-holes where they should, and the instructions are easy to follow. I've installed two, and am in the middle of my third right now (actually, it's the same bar, just moved from car to car to car).

Good luck,

--Michael
ST4 Miata #176

[Dave_G]

Another +ive for the Hard Dog bar here. Well made, easy to install, very sturdy.

There are several styles of Miata bars from Hard Dog, but the one that most people have is the Hard Core, which is the heaviest duty (and most expensive). I don't know what they have in mind for the S2K, but I would hope it's along the lines of the Hard Core.

[DanB]

Tom sent pics of a simple 4-point roll bar and said a diagonal and harness bar version were also available, welded-in or removable.

I'm sorta thinking about just getting the basic bar. I don't see myself going beyond ST with this car for a while as it's my street car. Definitely don't want welded-in harness bar or diagonal brace. In street mode I gotta have unrestricted view to the clouded plastic rear window, and access to the whopping eight or so cubic inches of storage space in the vertical between-the-seats glove box!

[Dave_G]

In street mode I gotta have unrestricted view to the clouded plastic rear window, and access to the whopping eight or so cubic inches of storage space in the vertical between-the-seats glove box!

I drive my ST4 Miata on the street, and the double-diagonal braced version does not impede the rear view too badly. (It does impede it somewhat, but not enough to be a problem.) The single-diagonal brace blocks more of the rear view than the double does. The biggest problem with the braces is that they make it nearly impossible to lift the soft top from within the car, but I can live with that for the extra strength.

None of the roll bars should come anywhere close to the center console storage box.

[DanB]

Oh yeah, you're right of course, no WAY a bar would be going in front of the vertical console door! The concern is the S2000 "secret" compartment that opens upward and has additional stowage space, but a double diagonal might give clearance there.

I'll ask 'em.