Not having fun with my roll bar install

[mntngts99]

I installed the BTR bar from Tom with not cutting or major problems. Had to play with the floor bracket just a bit so the drivers bar would go in and out with little effort and that was it.

 

[NascarDave]

I have the autoform bar and I gave up after 2 full days of tinkering, tweeking and trying different things to get it to fit right. The replacement bulkhead was a POS and didn't fit at all. To autoforms credit, they said they'd make me a new panel to my exact specs. I finally used my factory bulkhead and had Joe Donovan install it. Now it looks like a factory option. Joe put about 8 hours into it to get it right.

DN

 

[Tom Welch]

Gentlemen,

I, like some of you are at a loss. We have been making and installing these bars for about 4 years and have not had issues until recently with regards to fitment.

The bars are jig welded, but maybe something is occasionally being done different with regards to weld technique or jigging that has caused these intermittent issues.

As a precaution over the last few months, I have been fitting a bar or two in my own Viper during production runs and they have all fit. I have NOT been checking for sidebar fit....and for that, I apologize. The sidebar tab is welded in place on a predetermined angle and should work if the bar is mounted correctly to the floorpan. I state clearly in the instructions that these bars may require minor "tweaking" as the Viper is a hand built car. Keep in mind that .250" variation at the sidebar mounting height can mean several inches of variation at the sidebar floor mount bracket. The bars must sit flush on the floorpan...even if that means cleaning out that silicone glue that the factory uses to fill gaps and workmanship issues. Anyone who has installed a roll bar or done any type of work on a Viper knows what I'm talking about.

I still contest that these bars are bolt in. We have shipped 27 roll bars in the last 45 days. Should anyone have a comment or concern with regards to installation of one of our roll bars, I suggest that you contact myself or a qualified installer for tips.

As with all of our products, we want our customers to be happy. I am willing (at my discretion) to offer financial assistance to those who have had legitimate issues with regards to professional installation of our roll bar.

Thanks again for reading.

Tom

 

[Jerry Dobson]

I think Tom is correct by saying that hand built cars have tolerance issues. It may fit in one car but have problems in another.

Even with these problems, when I buy a roll bar, it will be from BTR. Tom is clearly trying to stand behind his product.