Autoform Roll Bar Installation

[georgethedog]

If you have recently installed the new autoform roll bar (the one where the cross-bar bewteen the loops is lower) I have a question that needs to be answered before I can go any further:

When you first place the roll-bar into position, you will notice that there is a plastic center piece that is part of the trim that is around the convertible top and is also the same piece of plastic trim that has the tweeter mount. The problem is that piece directly hits the center cross-bar... Am I supposed to push the plastic down so the cross-bar goes over top or do I put the plastic piece on top of the cross-bar??? I know that eventually the bulkhead cover will cover both things, but I want to make sure that I do the right thing and right now it is not obvious since the plastic piece hits the cross-bar directly and I would have to force it either over or under the bar...

 

[EZ 2B Green]

Chuck Tator installed mine and he said that the panel that you are referring to had to be trimmed (cut) to clear the crossbar.
Contact him directly if you need more details. Good luck!

 

[georgethedog]

Gave Chuck Tator a call. He said it went on top. However, he also said there are quite of few modifications & grinding that one has to do to get it on properly. Crap, maybe I should have taken it to Roanoke up the road... Well, back to the work. Thanks Chuck--what a nice person!!!

 

[georgethedog]

This thread no longer matters... As I was finishing getting the roll bar lined-up for bolts (yes, I got it in) I noticed that somehow I had put a giant scratch on the part that will show. Nice... Then, I opened the garage door for some fresh air and the arm of the door hit my new rear spoiler (my trunk was up during the roll-bar fitting) and scratched the hell out of it. So, new paint for roll-bar, new paint for spoiler. It will be then taken across the street to Roanoke Motors to have the roll-bar bolted to the car. Enough Mr. Fixit **** for now.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Oh Dear Sorry to hear of your problems, that *****

 

[georgethedog]

Oh Dear Sorry to hear of your problems, that *****

I think I can paint the scratches on the rollbar myself... At least I am going to try as they are not in a real noticable place and I can work with metal. The spoiler sratches are deep and in a very noticable place and I am not good at repairing scratches in fiberglass. Oh, well...

 

[KNG SNKE]

Find a good detailer in your local area. If it is just a scratch there is a good chance repaint is unnecessary. I have seen detailers work magic.

 

[CitySnake]

This thread no longer matters... As I was finishing getting the roll bar lined-up for bolts (yes, I got it in) I noticed that somehow I had put a giant scratch on the part that will show. Nice... Then, I opened the garage door for some fresh air and the arm of the door hit my new rear spoiler (my trunk was up during the roll-bar fitting) and scratched the hell out of it. So, new paint for roll-bar, new paint for spoiler. It will be then taken across the street to Roanoke Motors to have the roll-bar bolted to the car. Enough Mr. Fixit **** for now.

Geeze ... I have SOOO had thise same days, been there and done that! You'll feel fine when it's all fixed and done.

 

[georgethedog]

Geeze ... I have SOOO had thise same days, been there and done that! You'll feel fine when it's all fixed and done.

Thanks Snake!

 

[Shandon]

So sorry to hear all the PAI issues and then to get a scratch on the spolier! Man thats a bad day. So sorry.

I sent you a PM with my number if you need any info or help. There is some grinding to be done (I used a dremel). Any nicks on the bar can be touched up and you would be the only one to know they were there. It's a long process getting it installed. Again sorry it turned out as such a terrible experience.

 

[georgethedog]

So sorry to hear all the PAI issues and then to get a scratch on the spolier! Man thats a bad day. So sorry.

I sent you a PM with my number if you need any info or help. There is some grinding to be done (I used a dremel). Any nicks on the bar can be touched up and you would be the only one to know they were there. It's a long process getting it installed. Again sorry it turned out as such a terrible experience.

Hi Shandon. Got your PM. Thanks. I got the thing in position and then noticed somewhere along the line I put some nice scratches in it. I am going to take it out and get some touch up paint (spray and liquid) and try to do some good touching up. I'll mask everything off and spray some small quick shots over the places after I sand it smooth. I will then take the tape off and work on smoothing out the tape line build-up with some body-shop polish I have. Hopefully, it will turn out. If not, I will get it painted again. Then when I put it in I will cover the areas that will show (which I should have done in the first place--but I am usually very careful). I may give you a call. Thanks again. The spoiler is a disaster. Has to be repainted.

 

[JoelW]

So you gave up on the install yourself? Autoform says it shouldn't be that hard. I was going to put one in my '03 but you have given me pause. Maybe another bar is easier to install? Anybody know?

 

[georgethedog]

So you gave up on the install yourself? Autoform says it shouldn't be that hard. I was going to put one in my '03 but you have given me pause. Maybe another bar is easier to install? Anybody know?

I would suggest giving Chuck Tator a call and he can give you a good idea of the difficulties. Mostly it is in grinding different areas to get it to fit. I probably have about 8 hours in it. If I had not scratched it accidently (should have covered certain areas), it would already be in the car. I would not let it discourage you. I would just suggest covering the areas of the roll bar that will show once it is installed. Use thick plastic tape or something like that. Had I done that, it would be done. Thought I could be careful, but...

 

[Nitro187]

I would suggest giving Chuck Tator a call and he can give you a good idea of the difficulties. Mostly it is in grinding different areas to get it to fit. I probably have about 8 hours in it. If I had not scratched it accidently (should have covered certain areas), it would already be in the car. I would not let it discourage you. I would just suggest covering the areas of the roll bar that will show once it is installed. Use thick plastic tape or something like that. Had I done that, it would be done. Thought I could be careful, but...

Aren't you on the way to the hopsital?

 

[georgethedog]

Aren't you on the way to the hopsital?

Left for the hospital as I was writing that message... Sometimes you need a diversion. I just got home now, she is resting. I will be going back later. Thanks.

 

[Nitro187]

Left for the hospital as I was writing that message... Sometimes you need a diversion. I just got home now, she is resting. I will be going back later. Thanks.

Glad she's ok dude!