General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

Which Roll Bar?

Old 02-15-2010, 12:34 PM
  #1  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default Which Roll Bar?

I want to add a roll bar to the V8 NB. I really like the looks of the double hoop ones but wonder if that is the best solution for a mostly street-driven car. Head clearance will be a primary consideration but may not be an issue as I run the seat about halfway forward from the rear.

It does need to fit under a hard top. I'm only 5'8" tall so that helps my cause.

The more old threads that I read, the more confused I get.

Let me know your thoughts.
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 12:44 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
sn95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lisle, IL
Posts: 297
Total Cats: 0
Default

I ended up with a Hard Dog dual diagonal on my NA. My hardtop still fits, but you can't work the stock side latches (omit or use Spec Miata bolt-on side plates). If you are driving on the street, the dual diagonal is much friendlier than the single diagonal as it does not block your line of sight through the rear view mirror.
sn95 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 01:29 PM
  #3  
Junior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
longuyen88's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Socal
Posts: 332
Total Cats: 0
Default

The double hoop is nice. It has 6 mounting points and clears the glass rear window. I have a clearview double maxx for sale if you decide to get one.
longuyen88 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 01:55 PM
  #4  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
m2cupcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 7,482
Total Cats: 372
Default

Originally Posted by sn95
...but you can't work the stock side latches...
Are you sure? I've got the same bar on my 90 and the side latches work fine- they just barely touch the bar, but they still work fine.
m2cupcar is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 02:20 PM
  #5  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
sn95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lisle, IL
Posts: 297
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by m2cupcar
Are you sure? I've got the same bar on my 90 and the side latches work fine- they just barely touch the bar, but they still work fine.
I've got the Hard Dog Hard Core dual diagonal. My sidelatches bind on the bar/padding in the first 1.5" of movement. I might be able to lift the side latches up if I removed the Hard Dog roll bar padding; haven't tried that yet. As I recall, the Bethania website shows this bar as not working with a hardtop. I bought the bar used from Blake at BTDT Racing and he assured me it would fit, albeit with some sidelatch issues.
sn95 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 02:35 PM
  #6  
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
 
cueball1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Tigard, Oregon
Posts: 3,875
Total Cats: 2
Default

5'8" also. Hard core hard top in mine. Head clearance is pretty good. Some interference with the latches though. I always like the double hoop bars in pictures but they never look quite right to me in person.
cueball1 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 02:37 PM
  #7  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default

Originally Posted by longuyen88
The double hoop is nice. It has 6 mounting points and clears the glass rear window. I have a clearview double maxx for sale if you decide to get one.
I didn't think that the Maxx would clear the hardtop. If it does I'd be interested.
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 02:37 PM
  #8  
y8s
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
 
y8s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
Default

my hard core (non hardtop) fit under the hard top but only if the side latches were removed from the hard top. they occupied the same physical space as the bar.
y8s is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 02:38 PM
  #9  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default

I have a set of side striker plates from another car but they have never been installed in this car. I've heard that many run with the two front and rear only. I assume this isn't a problem even at track speeds?

It's possible that I might just skip installing a soft top completely. It's shot and I really couln't care less about a convertible, so maybe I'll just get some of the spec type bolt in brackets and leave it at that. It all depends on how finished I could get the rear package shelf without a soft top in there. I'm a bit torn, though as I won't have AC.
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 03:04 PM
  #10  
Junior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
longuyen88's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Socal
Posts: 332
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Stein
I didn't think that the Maxx would clear the hardtop. If it does I'd be interested.
I misread, I thought you don't need hardtop fitment.

I do have a bossfrog single hoop with double diagonals. It clears both a hardtop and glass rear window if you're interested.
longuyen88 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 03:11 PM
  #11  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (46)
 
Stein's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 4,729
Total Cats: 166
Default

Originally Posted by longuyen88
I misread, I thought you don't need hardtop fitment.

I do have a bossfrog single hoop with double diagonals. It clears both a hardtop and glass rear window if you're interested.
Price with carpet package, lol.
Stein is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 03:14 PM
  #12  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
NA6C-Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Birmingham Alabama
Posts: 7,930
Total Cats: 45
Default

Originally Posted by Stein
I didn't think that the Maxx would clear the hardtop. If it does I'd be interested.
If I recall correctly they offer a HT option that lowers the hoops by like 1/2''. I have the BF Double Hoop MAXX and love them. Plenty of head room since the hoops are swept back slightly, and I'm 6' with a pretty long torso (amongst other things... ) That HT option may be a factory option, or maybe it is a GoMiata thing. Not sure if they would be allowed to mess with a roll bar like that though. I think I forgot to check the box when I ordered mine, which sucks. I'll go with a full cage when I go V8 though. I'll sell them off.
NA6C-Guy is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 03:34 PM
  #13  
y8s
2 Props,3 Dildos,& 1 Cat
iTrader: (8)
 
y8s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Fake Virginia
Posts: 19,338
Total Cats: 573
Default

I'd run the side latches if possible.

if you want to get creative, you can fab up your own turnbuckle type side latches.

Here's the cheap and easy way:

make a mounting plate that mounts to the 3 top latch holes and mount a simple j-hook to that.

make a mounting plate that mounts to the 2 striker holes and mount another j-hook to that (upside down)

get a couple of two-eyelet turnbuckles.

attach and race.
y8s is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 03:36 PM
  #14  
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
sn95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Lisle, IL
Posts: 297
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by Stein
I have a set of side striker plates from another car but they have never been installed in this car. I've heard that many run with the two front and rear only. I assume this isn't a problem even at track speeds?

It's possible that I might just skip installing a soft top completely. It's shot and I really couln't care less about a convertible, so maybe I'll just get some of the spec type bolt in brackets and leave it at that. It all depends on how finished I could get the rear package shelf without a soft top in there. I'm a bit torn, though as I won't have AC.
I've run 3 winters on my hardtop with no side latches (car came w/o and I've procrastinated getting the bolt in side plates). I haven't had any issues at reasonable highway speeds (<90 mph) but I would be leery of open tracking the car without the bolt-in side plates.
sn95 is offline  
Old 02-15-2010, 05:20 PM
  #15  
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
elesjuan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
Default

I picked up the hard dog double diag. hardtop bar that was sold to an NB owner and I'm pretty sure the latches would hit the bar but I've yet to try this -- Don't own a hardtop.

Beatrush makes slim latches that work with roll bars:



If I ever buy a hardtop I'm going to use the SPEC side brackets on mine with security hardware. To me the extra inconvenience is worth the 900$ to replace a hardtop. Sorry, Hustler. :(

elesjuan is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
emilio700
Wheels and Tires
151
06-02-2017 02:36 PM
Voltwings
Cars for sale/trade
0
09-27-2015 06:40 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Which Roll Bar?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:58 AM.