i just purchased supra's M1 HDSD Roll bar and before i take the trip out to my work shop (parents house) I would like some quick help.

does anyone have pictures of their mounting spots?
any tips for dos and donts if i dont have the backing plates?

i would like to get this installed first before work in the morning, and I will just purchase or make backing plates for it later when I have the time and money.

thanks for any help.

 

make light cuts on the trim pieces/carpet. Its always easy to cut a bit more off. Sorta difficult to add it back

 

Make templates for the backing plates before you install the bar.

 

i was just gonna trace the shapes and holes onto a piece of paper so i can go by my drawings later for the plates......if that doesnt work out then i can just unbolt the bar right?

 

hey guys, nevermind on the mounting pics. i found a great reference website.

tips are still welcome and my ears are open to suggestions. and if anyone has extra plates they wanna hand out let me know so i can make this process a little quicker

 

measure twice, cut/drill once

 

It's easier to maneuver around the inside of the car if you remove the seats.

If you have a tool designed for removing the trim clips through the carpet, you'll break fewer of them than if you use a screwdriver.

The bolts that go through the bar and into the seat belt tower area are a PITA to get started. Some frustration and cursing here is normal.

Any place where I drill through the body, I clean the area with whatever degreasing solvent I have handy, and then I cover up any bare metal with some touch-up paint to minimize the potential for rust.

After cutting the interior plastic side trim pieces to fit them back in, they had rough edges from my hacksaw and/or aviation snips. Those rough edges can be covered up with some door edge trim from your FLAPS and it gives a nice finished look.

 

I trimmed my plastic panels with a pair of tin snips and a razor blade. I drilled my rear bar holes from the top down. Spray the underside with undercoating to keep rust away. Trim the carpet slowly so you don't cut too much.

It's not wise to install a rollbar without backing plates. At the least use very large fender washers where you can in the meantime. You can buy plates and the hardware from hard dog if you want. Making your own from paper templates would be easy though. Take actual measurements instead of just tracing the holes for better accuracy.

 

i contacted harddog and they priced their hardware kit including the plates, bolts, nuts, and washers for $30

i might end up just buying the kit so I can have it by thursday to install on my day off instead of going out for supplies and making them.

gotta hit up lowes first and see how handy they can be for me.
as for the backing plates......what material should they be? thickness and strength?

 

For $30 that is a no-brainer if you ask me. I would get it from them unless you are in a big hurry.

The backing plates are a mild steel of some sort, and pretty thick, like 1/4", or at least 3/16"

 

no super big hurry........just want to make sure i have them by thursday so i can install the bar on my one free day.

after looking at the process it looks like it will take a little bit longer than i thought, so i wont attempt it before work in the morning.

i always just like having a project to do. i usually have to buy at least 1 car part every week just to have something to do with my free days :P

 

I would recommend getting the hardware kit, then installing the bar. I know you want it in the car, but you gotta do it right.

 

It took me just about all of a Saturday afternoon working by myself, and I had helped install someone else's bar prior to doing mine so I was already familiar with the process.