Roll Bar Install Complete w/Pics

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 12:36 PM

I finally got the roll bar installed in my Mystic last weekend and although it wasn't fun, I'm glad it's done.

Spent a total of 28 hrs, had a helper for 2 of those hrs and 2 of those hrs were spent working on some misc wiring issues.

If you are thinking of attempting this, feel free to ask specific questions, I'm sure I'll miss something. I'll try to throw in some details with the accompanying pics.

Jimmy Bost

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 12:49 PM

I didn't take pictures before I started but I am installing a slightly used Autopower 4-point bolt in Roll bar. Removing the interior is not that bad, but very important. I thought I could get away with keeping the rear seat backs in place - WRONG. Remove all the seats, the upper and lower interior side panels, and pull back the carpet in the back seat area. Here's where one of the floor braces bolted to the floor on the driver's side. Thats my knee in the lower left corner.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 12:55 PM

This is where the rear bar bolts into the wheel wells. I installed the bar without the interior to make sure it fit well and I had all the holes right. Then I unbolted it to get the interior in with it.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 12:59 PM

The toughest part of the installation was trying to get the rear braces and the interior side panels in the car together. Since I didn't want to notch out the side panels, it took a lot more work. This side came out better than the driver's side. Note the curve coming from the hole where I got a litle crazy with the grinder. If you look closely at the horizontal line that runs across the panel, you can see that I cut the panel along that line. I had to cut it to get access to start the bolts with the panel in place. I still have gashes, scabs and scars from trying to get my hand under this panel. The cut will be hidden with the seats are up.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:01 PM

This picture shows the bar on the drivers side with the interior panel in place I was able to get the bar centered in the car to within 1/8". Rear seats are visible in the trunk.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:02 PM

This picture shows the bar from the driver's door. Nice fit. Reinstalling the seat belt bolts was a little tight, but they work fine and the bar doesn't interfere with the belts when they're in use.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:04 PM

Here's the bar going into the floor on the drivers side with the carpet. I cut the carpet vertically behind the bar so the cut would be hidden. I did this after realizing that the cut was visible on the pass side when I tried to make the shortest cut towards the door/sill plate.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:07 PM

The seat is a tight fit with the bar in place, but out of the way for getting in the car. Padding will cover the bar from the seat on up. By the way, I don't know how the hell anyone sits in the back seat anytime. Granted, I'm a little tall at 6'2", but my head is at least 4" to high for the ceiling back there. I guess it's good for groceries and kids and that's about it.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:08 PM

Here's the pass. side complete. The odd looking hook on the left is my drop light.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-19-2003, 01:12 PM

here's he driver's side. You can barely see where I had to open the hole up on this side, bc I missed he mark. It's impossible to get those holes exactly right because the panel slides down at the angle of the bar, but that's not how the panel is designed to attach to the car. The odd-looking pad at the top was installed after I hit my head on the cross bar bracket the second time. OUCH!

I plan to cover most of the bar since this is a driver. I have some SFI padding my velcro wrap should be here today.

tgentry · 02-19-2003, 05:32 PM

Jimmy, nice job!

What is the bolt tab I see on the main hoop near the seat belt mount? Just wondering.

johnbasf · 02-19-2003, 07:08 PM

What do oyu mean used? I never USED the roll bar. Looks great bud.

97 Cobra · 02-19-2003, 10:04 PM

Hey Jimmy,

At my first look on your third pic, I cringed! Oh-No, he put the seat belt on the outside of the bar! Then noticed you corrected that in the later pics! Hmmmm . . . betcha really cussed on that one!

It's these little things that really need attention. Watch those seat belt placements!!

Nice Job!

Here is my claim to fame. Hope the pic uploaded

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-20-2003, 12:36 AM

Thanks, guys.
I put the seatbelts around the outside of the bar, bc it was the long way around to go on the inside. It looks right, is it?
As for cussing, yes, there was lots.

The bolt tab near the seat belt mount is for the bolt-in angle bar. It has a small bar that goes behind the driver for harnesses, I guess. When I get my shoulder straps, they'll go over the big bolt-in bar, not that one.
I have both of these bolt in bars--see attached.

**Mystic_Cobra** · 02-20-2003, 12:38 AM

Here's the other one. I'll take another pic with both bars in later.

02-19-2003, 12:36 PM	#1
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	Roll Bar Install Complete w/Pics I finally got the roll bar installed in my Mystic last weekend and although it wasn't fun, I'm glad it's done. Spent a total of 28 hrs, had a helper for 2 of those hrs and 2 of those hrs were spent working on some misc wiring issues. If you are thinking of attempting this, feel free to ask specific questions, I'm sure I'll miss something. I'll try to throw in some details with the accompanying pics. Jimmy Bost

02-19-2003, 12:49 PM	#2
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	I didn't take pictures before I started but I am installing a slightly used Autopower 4-point bolt in Roll bar. Removing the interior is not that bad, but very important. I thought I could get away with keeping the rear seat backs in place - WRONG. Remove all the seats, the upper and lower interior side panels, and pull back the carpet in the back seat area. Here's where one of the floor braces bolted to the floor on the driver's side. Thats my knee in the lower left corner. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 12:55 PM	#3
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	This is where the rear bar bolts into the wheel wells. I installed the bar without the interior to make sure it fit well and I had all the holes right. Then I unbolted it to get the interior in with it. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 12:59 PM	#4
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	The toughest part of the installation was trying to get the rear braces and the interior side panels in the car together. Since I didn't want to notch out the side panels, it took a lot more work. This side came out better than the driver's side. Note the curve coming from the hole where I got a litle crazy with the grinder. If you look closely at the horizontal line that runs across the panel, you can see that I cut the panel along that line. I had to cut it to get access to start the bolts with the panel in place. I still have gashes, scabs and scars from trying to get my hand under this panel. The cut will be hidden with the seats are up. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:01 PM	#5
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	This picture shows the bar on the drivers side with the interior panel in place I was able to get the bar centered in the car to within 1/8". Rear seats are visible in the trunk. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:02 PM	#6
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	This picture shows the bar from the driver's door. Nice fit. Reinstalling the seat belt bolts was a little tight, but they work fine and the bar doesn't interfere with the belts when they're in use. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:04 PM	#7
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	Here's the bar going into the floor on the drivers side with the carpet. I cut the carpet vertically behind the bar so the cut would be hidden. I did this after realizing that the cut was visible on the pass side when I tried to make the shortest cut towards the door/sill plate. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:07 PM	#8
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	The seat is a tight fit with the bar in place, but out of the way for getting in the car. Padding will cover the bar from the seat on up. By the way, I don't know how the hell anyone sits in the back seat anytime. Granted, I'm a little tall at 6'2", but my head is at least 4" to high for the ceiling back there. I guess it's good for groceries and kids and that's about it. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:08 PM	#9
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	Here's the pass. side complete. The odd looking hook on the left is my drop light. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 01:12 PM	#10
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	here's he driver's side. You can barely see where I had to open the hole up on this side, bc I missed he mark. It's impossible to get those holes exactly right because the panel slides down at the angle of the bar, but that's not how the panel is designed to attach to the car. The odd-looking pad at the top was installed after I hit my head on the cross bar bracket the second time. OUCH! I plan to cover most of the bar since this is a driver. I have some SFI padding my velcro wrap should be here today. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-19-2003, 05:32 PM	#11
tgentry Got Boost? Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 608	Jimmy, nice job! What is the bolt tab I see on the main hoop near the seat belt mount? Just wondering. __________________ Tom Gentry Life is too short for boring rides! '06 Schwinn StingRay Spoiler (3 speed conversion) '03 Giant Team ONCE (Campy goodness) '00 Bike E E2 Tandem (too many mods to list) '98 ProFlex Beast (no more elastomers) '06 Kustom Kruiser Roadster (8 speed conversion) '74 PPV (Resto-mod project) '98 E-150 Starcraft Heritage "Black Bart" '89 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL "Gunther"

02-19-2003, 07:08 PM	#12
johnbasf Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Lewisville,NC Posts: 2,674	What do oyu mean used? I never USED the roll bar. Looks great bud. __________________ John Pearson

02-19-2003, 10:04 PM	#13
97 Cobra Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 18	Hey Jimmy, At my first look on your third pic, I cringed! Oh-No, he put the seat belt on the outside of the bar! Then noticed you corrected that in the later pics! Hmmmm . . . betcha really cussed on that one! It's these little things that really need attention. Watch those seat belt placements!! Nice Job! Here is my claim to fame. Hope the pic uploaded Attached Images __________________ Rich Kessler SCMC SCOA

02-20-2003, 12:36 AM	#14
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	Thanks, guys. I put the seatbelts around the outside of the bar, bc it was the long way around to go on the inside. It looks right, is it? As for cussing, yes, there was lots. The bolt tab near the seat belt mount is for the bolt-in angle bar. It has a small bar that goes behind the driver for harnesses, I guess. When I get my shoulder straps, they'll go over the big bolt-in bar, not that one. I have both of these bolt in bars--see attached. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

02-20-2003, 12:38 AM	#15
Mystic_Cobra NASA American Iron #16 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 608	Here's the other one. I'll take another pic with both bars in later. Attached Images __________________ Jimmy Bost #00539 '17 Ruby Red GT350 #H6022 \| '65 Mustang hardtop

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