2" roll bar?

[chopthebass]

The chunkier the roll bar the better looking I reckon!
I have heard Breeze do bigger diameter ones and I have only seen the parts on their website. Does anyone have any pics of their finished cars that have these installed?

Also I see where the back brace meets the top of the hoop some builders install a bolt. Do some opt not to install it for looks? Or weld it? Or is it to allow ease of removing the body in the future?

Thanks
Ian

[Russ Thompson]

The mark 4 is the only one with the smaller 1 1/2" roll bar, all the previous ffr's had 2" .. The Breeze roll bar is 1 3/4 and it's a nice looking roll bar. There is a kit out there that allows you to install the rear leg without using a bolt.

[edwardb]

The hidden installation kit is from Tangent Technologies, a forum vendor. http://tangentkits.com/Roll_Bar_Kits.php They have a 2 inch kit for the Mk3 and earlier, and 1-1/2 inch for the Mk4. Works great, I have it on my Mk3.

No bolts are required for the rear leg for the Breeze roll bar (hidden or otherwise) because it's welded. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=926 or http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=932

Bunch of pictures and more information about the Breeze roll bar in this thread: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/292608-breeze-rollbar-kit-pics-please.html

[chopthebass]

The hidden installation kit is from Tangent Technologies, a forum vendor. http://tangentkits.com/Roll_Bar_Kits.php They have a 2 inch kit for the Mk3 and earlier, and 1-1/2 inch for the Mk4. Works great, I have it on my Mk3.

No bolts are required for the rear leg for the Breeze roll bar (hidden or otherwise) because it's welded. http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=926 or http://www.breezeautomotive.com/details.php?prod_id=932

Bunch of pictures and more information about the Breeze roll bar in this thread: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/292608-breeze-rollbar-kit-pics-please.html

Thanks for the info. I can't work out how the hidden system works! So you are saying with the MkIV I can't install a 2" roll bar?

[edwardb]

Thanks for the info. I can't work out how the hidden system works! So you are saying with the MkIV I can't install a 2" roll bar?

The Breeze roll bar has short pieces of pipe below the body cutout that attach the roll bar to the frame stubs. You put the assembled roll bar through the body holes, slide the pieces up and bolt in place.

A 2 inch roll bar could be installed on the Mk4. Anything's possible. But the welded stubs on the frame are for the 1-1/2 inch bar. Those could be removed and replaced (welded) or you could make some kind of adapter.

[68GT500MAN]

One of the most often criticisms in the early days was about the 2" roll bar not being like the "original's". You could weld one of the older 2" roll bars into a MkIV if that is what you are looking for.
Doug

[MPTech]

I originally received the FFR DS & PS Chrome 1 1/2" roll bars with my mk4.
I felt like they were too skinny, too tall, and too straight up (almost 90*). just my opinion.
before installing them, the Breeze roll-bars were released and addressed all of my concerns.
1 3/4", a little shorter, and a slight angle. I really liked the Stainless-Steel version and ordered them.
The only downside that I can find is that they need to be installed and the rear leg needs to be welded. (they can be removed and installed after they are welded, but need to be mocked in-place and spot welded, then removed to complete the entire weld.)
I did this earlier this year and really like them and have had multiple compliments on them.

also, I contacted Russ Thompson a few months ago and he fabricated a set of roll-bar trim rings, specifically for the 1 3/4" bars. They look great! :cool:

[CraigS]

I 'think' I have read that the mounts for the two different OD FFR bars are the same. The small one fits inside the mount and the large one fits outside the mount. BTW the mounts are simply a short section of metal tube welded to the frame.

[edwardb]

I 'think' I have read that the mounts for the two different OD FFR bars are the same. The small one fits inside the mount and the large one fits outside the mount.

You might be right. I'm pretty sure I remember as well that early Mk4's had the same 1.75 inch OD roll bar mounts on the frame as the Mk3. The 2 inch OD bar fit over the outside of the mount, and the 1.5 inch OD bars fit the inside. But later Mk4's have a smaller 1.25 inch OD mount. Only the 1.5 inch OD bars fit directly. My #7750 Mk4 has the smaller mounts.

I agree with comments that the 1.5 inch OD bars on the Mk4 look a little skinny and a bit too tall. Or at least a little out of proportion. I liked the fatter 2 inch bar used on previous Mk's better. The slightly shorter and 1.75 inch OD Breeze bar looks just about right to my eye. I have one in the box for my Mk4 build.

[chopthebass]

I originally received the FFR DS & PS Chrome 1 1/2" roll bars with my mk4.
I felt like they were too skinny, too tall, and too straight up (almost 90*). just my opinion.
before installing them, the Breeze roll-bars were released and addressed all of my concerns.
1 3/4", a little shorter, and a slight angle. I really liked the Stainless-Steel version and ordered them.
The only downside that I can find is that they need to be installed and the rear leg needs to be welded. (they can be removed and installed after they are welded, but need to be mocked in-place and spot welded, then removed to complete the entire weld.)
I did this earlier this year and really like them and have had multiple compliments on them.

also, I contacted Russ Thompson a few months ago and he fabricated a set of roll-bar trim rings, specifically for the 1 3/4" bars. They look great! :cool:

So if the rear leg is welded to the main part I am trying to visualize how the roll bar can be removed in the future once the body is on.

[MPTech]

Roll Bar Genius (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/287655-roll-bar-genius.html)

first post, third picture shows you exactly how their system works, totally different from the FFR roll bar.
the third leg only extends just slightly below the body so the welded leg can be fitted. another bar is held inside that one until it goes below the body, then it slides out to meet the roll bar mount on the frame. it's an ingenius design and looks very good.

[chopthebass]

Roll Bar Genius (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/287655-roll-bar-genius.html)

first post, third picture shows you exactly how their system works, totally different from the FFR roll bar.
the third leg only extends just slightly below the body so the welded leg can be fitted. another bar is held inside that one until it goes below the body, then it slides out to meet the roll bar mount on the frame. it's an ingenius design and looks very good.

Oh I see what you mean. I can't see any pictures in the first post though.

[QSL]

I had the same concern when we purchased the mk4. I did not really like the way the bar looked and kinda liked the 2" better, however they seemed a smidge too big. I really think that the breeze bars hit the nail on the head. Very pleased with them and I get a lot of nice comments on them. I just left them as they came... raw stainless steel.

[chopthebass]

Thanks QSL. That is the look I am going for. So being stainless steel, is specialist welding needed? I know nothing about welding. I will probably be going for chrome.

[QSL]

Not really. It's the same as steel but a little easier. However I had a pro tig weld so it would look nice.

[chopthebass]

Not really. It's the same as steel but a little easier. However I had a pro tig weld so it would look nice.

Is that kind of weld possible with one of those mobile welding guys? If I am going chrome is there a Breeze version that is regular steel?

[QSL]

Yes they have steel ones. If your gonna chrome that's your best bet