Technical Roll bar for spiders

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Technical Roll bar for spiders

Slotman

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Would anyone know in the USA a source to purchase a roll bar for a spider? I've seen quite a few spiders with a roll bar so at some point in time someone made them, but I've checked Vicks, and Bayless with no luck , perhaps the manufacturer is long gone...
 
Steve ("smahaley) might be willing to provide you with a sketch and dimensions of the one he's just removed from his car so you then could make your own - you did mention in another post that you could weld so all you'd need is a tube bender and some tube. :)
 
Steve ("smahaley) might be willing to provide you with a sketch and dimensions of the one he's just removed from his car so you then could make your own - you did mention in another post that you could weld so all you'd need is a tube bender and some tube. :)
Yes, gents - let me post a pic of the label that’s on the rollbar I have. @Slotman let me know if you want me to take measurements / photos. I’ll post the label tomorrow
 
Yes please post a pic of the label! A friend that used to have a hydraulic tubing bender and all the mandrels sold it so I'm hoping to find a complete one even if I have to pay freight shipping..
 
Yes please post a pic of the label! A friend that used to have a hydraulic tubing bender and all the mandrels sold it so I'm hoping to find a complete one even if I have to pay freight shipping..
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Okay - here’s a couple - let me know if you want more info. I believe this was installed in Calif at the date of purchase (78)
 
Wow! That's pretty cool! And Sema approved...thanks for the pics! It helps to know what I'm looking for..:)
Sure thing- and you may see that there are 2 bolts that go through the floor at those 2 points, and then 4 bolts each through the wheel wells (with a flat steel brace behind) .
 
Oddly enough the company is still in business...they offer products for a lot of the newer cars like Honda ect, under fiat there are products for some but sadly no part number is listed for the spider but they do have one for the X19, I'm going to give them a call since there's no email and ask, since their website asks " what can we build for you"?
 
Will update once I've called them as far as if they will still create one for our vintage spiders...
Might be worth their while listing one for the classic 124 given the still great interest in these cars.
Hell, some people are even buying old ones to restore. :giggle:

I know I've always felt a little safer in a convertible when fitted with a roll-bar.
 
On the subject of roll-bars or roll-cages in Fiat 124 Spider, a while back, I saw a U.K. tv car program called 'Salvage Hunters : Classic Cars', (Series 7 Episode 2) I think it was on Quest Channel over here.

This episode took a Fiat 124 Spider that had already been converted for track use and did some work on it, including visiting a Co. that specialised in fabricating one-off roll-cages for a new 'cage (the aim was to make more room for the driver while still being able to raise the soft-top if needed).
They also visited a Co. that made racing harnesses (seat belts) and showed how these are made and tested.
Iirc, they also visited another specialist who showed how he fabricated a new centre console from sheet aluminum.

I don't know if you guys will be able to view this episode but it's an interesting watch, here's a (Discovery) link that might work:-


(you might have to omit the ie/ in the above link ^^ and insert something to suit your country?)

 
On the subject of roll-bars or roll-cages in Fiat 124 Spider, a while back, I saw a U.K. tv car program called 'Salvage Hunters : Classic Cars', (Series 7 Episode 2) I think it was on Quest Channel over here.

This episode took a Fiat 124 Spider that had already been converted for track use and did some work on it, including visiting a Co. that specialised in fabricating one-off roll-cages for a new 'cage (the aim was to make more room for the driver while still being able to raise the soft-top if needed).
They also visited a Co. that made racing harnesses (seat belts) and showed how these are made and tested.
Iirc, they also visited another specialist who showed how he fabricated a new centre console from sheet aluminum.

I don't know if you guys will be able to view this episode but it's an interesting watch, here's a (Discovery) link that might work:-


(you might have to omit the ie/ in the above link ^^ and insert something to suit your country?)

That was a great episode for Spiderfans
If you just want a simple rear hoop and some braces you can measure up the car and send a sketch to a tube bender. The tube sizes are standard CDS (ie not ERW tube). If your not having your car scrutineered for racing this should be fine.
I mounted mine onto the xmember behind the front seats then braced to the rear seat belt mounting pads as this is a structural attatchment. I also designed mine to be bolt in for possible removal. I also deleted the rear bench seat some time ago
I fitted mine for safety and piece of mind. If you imsgine the car upside down the only thing protecting you is the windscreen frame. Then look how the windscreen frame is mounted…….say no more!
 
I thought I heard years ago if the center carrier bearing fails and the drive line hits the street "just right" the car could pole vault...yikes!
 
I thought I heard years ago if the center carrier bearing fails and the drive line hits the street "just right" the car could pole vault...yikes!
I think thats pretty unlikely. The shaft / yoke runs through the bearing and the rubber centre bearing is supported on a small crossmember below the propshaft (assuming you have a 2 piece propshaft) You are also likely to get some notice of imoending failure bearing rumble, clonk when clutch engages, severe vibration in 3/4/5 gear etc. Best to replace aged parts though, they are nit expensive and its a bit of a pain to get the car in the air for access once its running. FYI the yoke bearings are the same as several other cars such as Landrover Freelander and the Centre bearing can be purchased from SKF etc, just get the exact part number off the old bearing (the width of this bearing is important)
 
Thank you for the information! Mine is an automatic and I do plan on replacing everything drive line related...
 
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I thought I heard years ago if the center carrier bearing fails and the drive line hits the street "just right" the car could pole vault...yikes!
If the forward end of the driveshaft (propeller shaft) were to hit the street it can indeed pole vault a car, I've seen the aftermath. But this usually only applies if the driveshaft is a long, one-piece design and the front coupling or U/J or U/j yoke fails. Or if a sliding type shaft is pulled out of the transmission, e.g. if a rear axle radius/location rod fails, or on those 'jacked-up' vehicles if the modifications haven't been carried out correctly.

But as Twink80 has said, on the 124 Spider, failure of the centre bearing or it's carrier mounting (cushion) won't (shouldn't?) allow the shaft to drop and hit the road and also as he said, you'll have plenty of warning if the centre bearing mounting is failing. (I've experienced this on various makes of cars while working in the M. East).

However, if the U/j or it's yoke just behind the centre bearing were to fail, the rear part of the driveshaft could potentially hit the road. I say 'potentially' because Fiat in their wisdom fitted a metal strap under the rear section of the driveshaft to prevent this happening on the 124 Spider,
so you can rest easy (ish)...
 
Would anyone know in the USA a source to purchase a roll bar for a spider? I've seen quite a few spiders with a roll bar so at some point in time someone made them, but I've checked Vicks, and Bayless with no luck , perhaps the manufacturer is long gone...
I finally got round to taking some photos of my roll hoop today. I designed it and got a roll cage company to bend the main hoop and provide the tube for the backstays and plates for reinforcing the feet. Think it was about £100 ish. It is removable and i dont have rear seats, I made a sort if shelf from ply then carpeted it (not fitted in the photos)
The backstays are bolted into the lowest point of the seat belt mounts where they meet the floor so its a good structural arrangement. I hope I never test it!!
 

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