General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

Getting a roll bar installed?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-25-2015 | 02:04 AM
  #1  
elijahmckay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 9
Total Cats: 0
Default 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?
Old 10-25-2015 | 04:10 AM
  #2  
SchmoozerJoe's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 746
Total Cats: 85
From: Houston, TX
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 11:31 AM
  #3  
rleete's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,638
Total Cats: 1,284
From: Rochester, NY
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 11:52 AM
  #4  
psyber_0ptix's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,648
Total Cats: 544
From: Northern VA
Default

I installed it by myself with a angle grinder/cutting disk and a drill
Old 10-25-2015 | 12:28 PM
  #5  
thirdgen's Avatar
Slowest Progress Ever
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
From: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Default

I installed mine, in my garage, by myself. Where are you located?
Old 10-25-2015 | 12:41 PM
  #6  
z31maniac's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,693
Total Cats: 222
From: OKC, OK
Default

Get a friend, a long drill bit, some beer and pizza and you'll have it done in a day.
Old 10-25-2015 | 01:06 PM
  #7  
cabowabo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 153
From: Bama
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 01:10 PM
  #8  
elijahmckay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 9
Total Cats: 0
Default

Originally Posted by thirdgen
I installed mine, in my garage, by myself. Where are you located?
Im in the boonies in northeastern alabama
Old 10-25-2015 | 01:29 PM
  #9  
thirdgen's Avatar
Slowest Progress Ever
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
From: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 03:24 PM
  #10  
Enginerd's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,451
Total Cats: 77
Default

Originally Posted by rleete
It's not that difficult, but you really need 2 people at a minimum. 3 or 4 works even better.
2,3,4 people to install a rollbar?!?

I did mine myself, just like most people do.

Old 10-25-2015 | 03:45 PM
  #11  
cabowabo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 486
Total Cats: 153
From: Bama
Default

Why share all that delicious beer with 4 people when you can share it with yourself?
Old 10-25-2015 | 03:58 PM
  #12  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 06:40 PM
  #13  
Midtenn's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,080
Total Cats: 284
From: Murfreesboro,TN
Default

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.
Old 10-25-2015 | 11:24 PM
  #14  
sixshooter's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 21,117
Total Cats: 3,142
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

But he was a Gurkha.
Old 10-26-2015 | 06:55 AM
  #15  
rleete's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,638
Total Cats: 1,284
From: Rochester, NY
Default

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.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
albuquerquefx
Build Threads
142
02-05-2020 02:30 PM
gesso
Insert BS here
23
10-20-2017 03:47 AM
elijahmckay
Meet and Greet
5
10-20-2015 01:55 PM
Ben
Miata parts for sale/trade
5
10-20-2015 01:12 PM
BMWidmer
Meet and Greet
1
10-20-2015 11:24 AM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:24 AM.