roll bar question

[briank]

I dont know much on the 73+ k5's. Will a rollbar from a 74 fit in a 72? If not, whats the difference? Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

[Firebirdjones]

Nope. The rear section of the floor was changed (lower I think) so the step isn't there or is much less pronounced.

[briank]

Thanks, I didn't think it would. A fellow K5 blazer owner here in my town needs one and came across a '74 roll bar and asked me if it would work. I told him I doubt it but I would check.

[fun in dirt]

This is the rollbar that was in my 72 when i got it & somebody said it was out of a 2nd gen Blazer (which would be 74 style). It fit, but leg just sits kind of low on the wheel well.

[briank]

Thanks for the pic, Ill let the guy know
Posted via Mobile Device

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by fun in dirt

This is the rollbar that was in my 72 when i got it & somebody said it was out of a 2nd gen Blazer (which would be 74 style). It fit, but leg just sits kind of low on the wheel well.

It's also sitting further back from the door frame than the correct bar would,,,and that's because the down bar is so short for the 2nd gen blazer,,,that the entire thing had to be moved back to touch the wheel well in your first gen.

[MrGoodpliers]

I think it might fit. Back in high school, a friend of mine had two blazers, a '76 and a '78. The '76 had the high floor like a '72 and the '78 had the lower floor.

[badpeanut]

'78 was the first year the Blazer received the lower floor ahead of the rear seat.

'73-'75 still had the full removable hardtop. Attached is a picture of a factory '73-'75 roll bar in a '71 Blazer. The tubes fit well. The ribs in the bed floor don't line up well.

[briank]

Thanks for the pics
Posted via Mobile Device

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by badpeanut

'78 was the first year the Blazer received the lower floor ahead of the rear seat.

'73-'75 still had the full removable hardtop. Attached is a picture of a factory '73-'75 roll bar in a '71 Blazer. The tubes fit well. The ribs in the bed floor don't line up well.

If that's a factory 73-75 roll bar,,,,it's completely different than the 69-72 bars made by Hinkle.

Hang on and I'll see if I can find a pic of the original Hinkle bar in mine.

[1972k5blazer]

I think that last picture is a factory roll bar , i sold one to a member awhile back just like that and i unbolted it from a 73 + blazer and the floor was threaded for the roll bar , looked good in my rig i just couldnt make myself drill holes in my floor to mount it.

[Firebirdjones]

Here is what the Hinkle 69-72 bar looks like.

[cst 72 blazer]

i put one out of a '82 in mine. cut the front legs off to what i needed and weld new mounting plates.worked out just fine

[7D2N]

Briank,
If you are looking for different options, I used a truck roll bar, shorten the legs a bit to clear carpet and headliner.

[rfsnyder]

badpeanut is correct.... the '73-'75 style roll bar fits within the sidewalls and under the hardtop just find, but the existing floor supports or "feet" do not line-up with the ribbed floor.



I just finished installing the '73 style roll bar in my '72 blazer... with modifications of course. I cut the existing feet off and even cut the seat belt bracket off as well, for I thought it was just too low and in the way of the sidewall. I created four new brackets for the mounting feet and welded them to the bar. As you can see by the picture, the feet span multiple ribs in the floor, are contoured with the floor, and go all the way to the sidewall.



TIP: With the mounting brackets/feet going all the way to the sidewall… getting the roll bar in and out of the truck is nearly impossible! I use a tie-down strap from side to side and ratcheted a few times to pull the roll bar together, giving you room to maneuver the bar in and out of the truck. The roll bar will flex more than you think and will retain back to its original form. Just don’t ratchet it too much!

The placement of these with the floor support structure within the undercarriage is important! I was able to align the back section such that it aligns with the floor supports underneath and plenty of room for mounting bolts. This is great for added strength and rigidity! The front supports are easily accessed from the undercarriage as well, even with the rocker box. I also have a flat plate that is mounted from the undercarriage and sandwich it all together. Very strong!

On another note, I wanted a three-point seat belt harness… so I drilled through the roll bar and welded in a grade eight nut to mount the shoulder point. I’m sure this is OSHA approved!

[badpeanut]

Nice roll bar feet fab and nice welds rfsnyder!

Your bar looks really clean without the seat belt brackets, but the width is just right that they could serve as a support to the front edge of the box sides (improve how the doors close?).

IIRC the '73-'75 foot had two 3/8" bolts, and I see you have four bolts per foot. What size bolts did you use?

[jaros44sr]

Well done rfsynder, nice write up...want to make another set of feet?

[joemacho]

heres my roll bar it came out of a 85 blazer i had to do the same cut out the front and middle bars to fit but it still needs the feet plates to fit just right just like 7d2n.

[rfsnyder]

Badpeanut - For bolt sizes... I'm using 3/8" grade eight bolts. By the way, I'm not a very good welder... but one H$LL of a grinder! I created an "L" bracket for the seat belt retractable "box" and plan on using the existing seat belt mounting hole/bolt. It's close to the door, but not bad.

jaros44sr - I'm willing to create another set.. but I recommend that you drill the holes, just so you can line everything up with the supports in the undercarriage. PM me and we can discuss.

[jaros44sr]

Thanks snyder, let me get my thoughts and drawings together...i have a 1/2 top, so i have to move my stock bar around

[hilljob26]

Originally Posted by 7D2N

Briank,
If you are looking for different options, I used a truck roll bar, shorten the legs a bit to clear carpet and headliner.

do you know what year of truck that roll bar was for,,thats the route oi think i will be going

[7D2N]

Originally Posted by hilljob26

do you know what year of truck that roll bar was for,,thats the route oi think i will be going

Hilljob26, The roll bar was in a 74 short bed chev truck. I looked for an after market this style with out any luck. I see a few in pick-up every now and again.

7D2N

[hilljob26]

sweet

[Lieferson]

Old thread revival, but if i found a 75 roll bar for 20$, all brackets intact, should i just get it and modify it? anyone unhappy with their later model roll bars?