Getting Roll Bar Made

[DANL]

Hey everybody, thanks again for recommendations on roll bar. Appears Smittybuilt no longer provides first gen roll bars and I have not found a used one. However I did find a local fab shop that does a great job on roll bars. Dale quoted me 250 installed for seamless 2" OD. Not sure on wall thickness but appears to be approximately .25”. The bar looks pretty much like what I have seen in other first gens. I have not decided where the kicker brace will hit (front, top or rear of wheel well). I would like your recommendations on this. Price includes paint and threaded plate welded to bottom of floor. Bolts will go through floor and screw into plate. Would someone please provide following two dimensions for fab shop:
1. Distance from center of vertical pipe (the one behind passenger's seat) to front edge of bed (where bed drops down to floor pan).
2. Distance from center of vertical pipe (the one behind passenger's seat) to face of interior panel.

Bar will also have holes for attaching shoulder belts. I plan to use S10 belts (from looking at previous threads). Any recommendation on size and type of bolts to use for mounting shoulder belts to bar? Also where should belts be mounted to bar? Any advise, recommendations, comments or photos regarding belts and attaching them would be great.

I would also appreciate any input on padding for the bar. Dale recommended foam pipe insulation with covers made by upholstery shop.

As always, thanks for your help.

...Dan

[smokekiki]

On my bar it is 9" from the drop off to the center of the main hoop.The main hoop makes a 20 degree bend at 2"above the bed side.At 35" above the floor is where the stringers are welded.The main hoop is 40" above floor.The stringers run horizantal 8",and then make a 35 degree bend.The stringer runs 45"from the bend to where it makes another bend to go vertical to the floor.It is 2"behind the wheel well.The main hoop is 1/2" narrower than the bed sides,outside to outside of the tubing..All other measurements are to the center of the tube. 2" od. tubing.My belts are attatched with 3/8th grade 8 bolts

[NuBomb]

DANL - I've been keeping an eye on this post because I need to get one too. If smittybilt doesn't make the roll bar anymore, then I'll have to go the same route. If possible, can you share some of the info you had to give to the guy to have one made. I plan on doing the same things including the seatbelts.

BTW I would pay that for getting a roll bar made.

Also - will you make it so that the hardtop can be reinstalled?

Thanks,
Jeremy

[bouncytruck]

I have heard that you can still find the Smittybuilt roll bars at shops, but I have no clue where. I'm sure it would be more than the $250 for a custom one though.

I like the look better when the rear braces hit behind the wheel well.

[rchandler]

someone said that smittybuilt was going to remake them. i had a racecar shop make me one that fits under the top and connects to the windshield frame so that the rocker boxes dont have to be 100% you can see the roll bar through the window on my post 72 blazer for sale or trade on here

[DANL]

smokekiki - Thanks for the info. Where did you get your belts?
I have not found used S10 tan ones. GM is 140 a side fo 03 S10 belts. I have found following after market belts.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2429837254
What do you think about them?


Jonesable72K5 - I will keep you in the loop.


bouncytruck - I agree with you on rear braces hitting behind the wheel wells.


rchandler - I gave your number to my nephew, Jeff, from Dyersburg. He is looking for first gen K5.

...Dan

[smokekiki]

I got my belts from GEM street rods.They are listed in the back of Classic trucks.