Getting a roll bar installed?
 

Hey guys, I would like to get a harddog rollbar installed. The bar itself is about $600 but I was wondering how much it would cost to get it installed by a professional (also, where would one even get that done?)? Have any of you done this or did you just install your own?

Installed it myself. Did it the extra fancy way and added a sawzall and close quarters drill to my tool collection to do it. Neither one of them was required but I wanted to stack the deck in my favor.

Depending on how mechanically adept you are, it shouldn't take more than a Saturday (or Sunday) to install.

Pretty sure the local Miata place quoted $350 for an install without re-installing any of the interior plastics.

An additional $100 if I wanted them to trim/install those.

That's the only quote I ever got. Since I knew there'd be two installations in my future, I opted to DIY.

It's not that difficult, but you really need 2 people at a minimum. 3 or 4 works even better. Study the instructions and learn what needs to be removed to facilitate installation.

Get the proper size drills (Harbor Freight step drills work well in this case), a drill/driver with sufficient "oomph", and the correct size wrenches. Call the buddies over, and order some pizza. Beers for afterwards. Should be done in a few hours, depending on the skill level of those involved.

A shop is going to charge you at least $300, probably more like $500 to install. And nothing guarantees they will do it any better than you can.

I installed it by myself with a angle grinder/cutting disk and a drill

I installed mine, in my garage, by myself. Where are you located?

Get a friend, a long drill bit, some beer and pizza and you'll have it done in a day.

It takes longer to remove the interior and put it back together than to get the roll bar in place. Having help would make the job easier, but solo is completely possible unless you don't even lift. I have pretty basic mechanical skills and have done it twice now, just take your time and make sure you have the correct tools beforehand.

Im in the boonies in northeastern alabama

Dude it's really a piece of cake it just takes some patience and some proper cutting/interior removal. If you can remove the wheels from your car and replace your brake pads, then you can install a rollbar by yourself.

:giggle: 2,3,4 people to install a rollbar?!?

I did mine myself, just like most people do.

http://d2ws0xxnnorfdo.cloudfront.net/meme/70259

Why share all that delicious beer with 4 people when you can share it with yourself?

Yeah, I did a one-man install as well (on a roll bar with integrated door bars, no less). It's tricky at first, but then you figure out how to get the bar safely in and out of the car and it goes pretty smoothly. My method --

Remove both seats, and the center console (not necessary but gives you a little more room and no chance of accidentally damaging it). Set the roll bar next to the car (but oriented appropriately). Lift it by the center overhead while facing the rear of the car. Step sideways into the car, then straddle the transmission tunnel. Lower the roll bar down and forward into place.

You can do it yourself pretty easy. I have done a few over the years and could knock it out in about 4-6 hours. I'm about 2 hours from Chattanooga.

But he was a Gurkha.

Yes, one person can do the job. As can swap a clutch or pull an engine. But it's just so much easier if you have another person that I wouldn't do it by myself ever again. Just not worth the frustration.