Roll Bars for T-birds

Topic: Roll Bars for T-birds (Read 3272 times) previous topic - next topic

Roll Bars for T-birds

November 04, 2007, 05:52:39 PM

This site list roll bars for our cars. I was sent here from another forum and they say that quality and fit are better than most.

I'm going to order one for a Mustang.

http://www.swracecars.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=110&cat=Ford+Motor+Company

TED

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #1 – November 04, 2007, 06:07:54 PM

Here's a functional link.

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #2 – November 04, 2007, 06:18:54 PM

Here's a good pictorial of a roll bar install. I think I can do this, but I still do not know how they weld up top. I think this is just one of those things you have to do to find out.

http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild/116_9602_1970_chevy_chevelle_roll_cage_build_install/index.html

TED

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #3 – November 04, 2007, 06:20:04 PM

Quote from: JeremyB;186201

Here's a functional link.

Both work the same on my computer? But thanks for the help, I try to do my best.

TED

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #4 – November 04, 2007, 06:30:13 PM

A Mustang cage may work depending on how the main hoop is done. When I made mine I started with a Mustang main hoop, but I needed to kick the lower portion of the bottom of it in a few degrees to get it to fit. I don't have any good pics of it to show what I mean though.

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #5 – November 04, 2007, 06:36:16 PM

looks like a decent price. ive only seen one S&W kit, and it fit well for a pre-bent unit. havent installed one.

ways to weld the top -

cut roof off, weld cage/bar, re-install roof
cut holes in roof, weld cage/bar, patch roof
tack tubes together, drop complete unit, weld cage/bar, and lift back into position
close your eyes and pray

for a simple roll bar, i would recommend the third option

it takes some plannin ahead, but is workable in most cases. one example -

cut round holes in the floor
place foot plates over the holes
fit cage/bar parts that will be impossible to weld completely while in place
tack together
slide plates out to reveal holes in floor
lower cage/bar thru holes
weld
lift cage/bar back into place
slip foot plates back under cage/bar
weld foot plates to cage/bar and floor
fit and weld in the rest of the cage/bar parts

YMMV :hick:

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #6 – November 04, 2007, 07:37:10 PM

Quote from: Chuck W;186206

A Mustang cage may work depending on how the main hoop is done. When I made mine I started with a Mustang main hoop, but I needed to kick the lower portion of the bottom of it in a few degrees to get it to fit. I don't have any good pics of it to show what I mean though.

Sorry Chuck I was mis-leading with my first post. When I said I was going to order one for a Mustang I meant the Mustang I just purchased, not my T-bird. These guys do make them special for T-bird/Cougars and if the first one works out well maybe I will order one for the T-bird also.

I just purchsed a 1988 Mustang Coupe and I plan to do another Cadillac 500 swap into this. But I want to start out with the roll bar and subframe connectors first this time.

It's a cute little yellow car, and will shave about 600 pounds from the T-bird. Also keep me from cutting the bird up anymore. Mustang Coupes are getting very hard to find in the Northwest and the prices are going way up. This a 2.3 car.

TED

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #7 – November 04, 2007, 07:52:14 PM

Here's one more link of a roll cage install. They did a very nice job using Gumby's cut the floor method. Seems like a better way to do than cutting off the roof.

http://autoweldchassis.com/rcinstruct.ivnu

I think I'm leaning towards the 10 pt bar.

http://www.swracecars.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=77&cat=Ford+Motor+Company

TED

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #8 – November 05, 2007, 06:34:02 AM

I bought an S&W 8 pt for a Fox T-Bird in 2002 when I was in the process of building my 87 TC 460 for IHRA Stock Eliminator Racing.

Never got around to installing it, so I have no valuable input as to whether or not S&W has got their act together regarding Fox T-Birds cages fitting correctly.

I don't know if I will ever install it now. I really like getting in and out without the hassles.

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #9 – November 05, 2007, 10:02:27 AM

I also bought their cage for my 86, it turned out great, a real quality piece all pre bent and notched. I got D.O.M. steel instead of the chromoly piece though (kinda expensive) The shipping was almost as much as the cage.

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #10 – November 05, 2007, 11:56:43 AM

Quote from: Cad-T-Bird 500;186218

I just purchsed a 1988 Mustang Coupe and I plan to do another Cadillac 500 swap into this. But I want to start out with the roll bar and subframe connectors first this time.

It's a cute little yellow car, and will shave about 600 pounds from the T-bird. Also keep me from cutting the bird up anymore. Mustang Coupes are getting very hard to find in the Northwest and the prices are going way up. This a 2.3 car.

TED

At least the Stangs have a sump in their tank so they don't die when floored with less than 3/4 tank :hick:

Roll Bars for T-birds

Reply #11 – November 22, 2007, 01:46:55 PM

I have a S&W 10pt installed in one of my TC's. It fit's quite well in my opinion. As for the up top welding; we have the main hoop attached at the front of the backseat ledge. We just tacked the halo and rear bars, then lowered the whole thing to the main floor and finish welded. Raised the assembly back up to the ledge and welded to the previously installed floor plates. Done.