Rollbar !@#$#%&&^*

Wayne Zimmerman · #1 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 04:01 PM

HI,

I was installing my roll bar (this has got to be the world's longest build) and before I drilled the second hole, I matched up the roll bar to the spot I had marked and then double checked it against the bracket that fastens to the frame. Guess what? The bracket cylinders are about 1/2" too narrow for the roll bar. The bar is about 12.75" wide center to center. The receiver tubes on the bracket are about 12.25" center to center. Has anyone else encountered this? I hate to start cutting until I do a little checking. Thanks

Wayne Z

Roscoe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 09:47 PM

Wayne,
Don't know if this is the same problem I encountered. There must have been a chassis change a few years back because my roll bar bracket was either too short or too long...don't remember. We had to cut it and make it fit.

Give Joe a call. Maybe he has a new bracket.

Roscoe

Rick Parker · #3 (**permalink**) 08-23-2006, 10:51 PM

The accepted standard is a 6" on center radius. The centers of the legs are usually 12" apart. Maybe the legs are not parallel(?) or is it possible they have opened up a liittle if the brace support was welded on it previously or the bend wasn't bent tight enough to start with. Be sure of the recepticle dimension before you begin adjusting the legs.

trularin · #4 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 06:46 AM

Rick hit a nerve. I don't have an A&C, but I have dual roll bars and one was bent 1/2" inch between the post and the resting area. Therefore, I have one hole that is oblong 1/2".

Measure where the body will be on the roll bar before cutting.

Just my $0.02

Wayne Zimmerman · #5 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 07:33 AM

Thanks,

I checked the roll bar and "lo and behold" it is wider at the bottom than it is closer to the top. I mean quite a bit wider, on the order of 1/2" or a tad more. So that solves the mystery, but not the problem. I am undecided on modifying the bracket or attempting to bend the bar. I don't want to crack the chrome, but it looks do-able. Any thoughts anyone??

Wayne Z.

Roscoe · #6 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 07:40 AM

Call Joe....Maybe he has one he can swap out.

Roscoe

Rick Parker · #7 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 08:37 AM

If you do it carefully, you may be able to get on your kness (kneel down) and put one of the legs on the ground and transfer your body weight onto it. sort of spring up and down. Do it slowly and you may find this method will allow you to "close the legs up". Go easy, a little at a time and it should work. If not take it to a shop with a hydraulic press.

AMiller · #8 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 09:06 AM

Its not a big deal and there are no other brackets available from A&C. If you want to use the stock set up cut the drivers side cup off the mount and move it out to the outside of the bracket and reweld. If I remember right that is the side there is room to move the mount out . That was all mine needed to fit.

That rollbar set up is decorative at best in stock form anyway. Dont be afraid to modify it. Those thinwall cups that the bar drops into cut right off with a hack saw.

If you want a functional roll bar for more than looks throw the origional mount out and have something built.

Aaron

AMiller · #9 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 09:11 AM

Wayne, the bar is stainless, it wont crack. Unless you have a bender or possibly a press you probably wont bend it either. Tuff stuff.

Aaron

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 11:27 AM

This works:

Secure a 1.5 inch nylon strap and wrap in around the bottom of the roll bar, but leave enough to get it through the holes.

Place a small bar in between the straps and twist until the bar has moved in enough to let it slip into the holes. Undo and repeat from the underneith.

Hey, it's just a suggestion. The nylon should not leave any marks or damage to the roll bar.

Wayne Zimmerman · #11 (**permalink**) 08-24-2006, 02:02 PM

All,

Joe was busy today and I never reached him, so I decided to try to bend the bar myself. All that did was leave me with one of those "what was I thinking?" faces. That is tuff stuff!! So I hacksawed off the offending tube and am in the process of relocating it. I was pleased to hear that this would not create a new problem downstream. I always worry about fixing one problem but creating two more, so that was really good to hear. Thanks everyone who weighed in with advice or suggestions. I will return the favor if the opportunity ever presents it's self.

thanks again
Wayne Z