Hi, I looking for reccomendations for a roll bar for my mk1. Have seen this on ebay 200367184121 but I’m not sure how much actual protection this would provide. Is there anything of similar design which would be safer, without costing the earth? Also need to retain my soft top just looking at doing some track days.
Twin hoops will never provide adequate protection. The same supplier has a more conventional single hoop roll bar which should be fine, and is compatible with a hood.
Harddog bars are £400 and up. Otherwise look out for a Japanese rollbar, used. They’re well made, but can rob seat travel for tall drivers. Plus they tend to be ridiculously overpriced because they are “Japanese”,
Also, many rollbars won’t work with a glass window. The TR lane bar does though, allegedly.
Japanese rollbars:
Ordinarily, they should not cost more than the TR lane bar.
The second bar is the better of the two.
Many thanks for the advice. The “TR lane” bar looks a good option, and at around £150 for the full kit delivered, not bad value either.
Hi Mate,
I’ve got the TR Lane bar, fitted without too many dramas (I am not renowned for my DIY abilities, more willing to give it a go!) and it looks great. I had to remove the factory brace bar (behind the seats) but the roll bar effectively replaces this and my god has it made a difference to the ‘feel’ of the car. More taught and a lot more responsive, removing most of the dreaded scuttle shake too.
I opted for the diagonal brace (an extra £25 I think) as I intend to track-day the car and…just in case, want as much structural strength as I can get.
All in all £175 well spent and looks great.
Hope this helps a little?
How tall is it when fitted?
Would love to see some photo’s, especially with someone sat in the car.
It sits about an inch below the roof when it’s up…but thats not very often!
I’m off into the garage now to take some pics…back in a bit!
As promised…I’m sure the neighbours must think I’m mad!!!
Please excuse the mess…we move house next week so the garage is a little (more than usual) upsidedown!!
Looks absolutley fantastic mate!
Did you fit it yourself? Was it hard?
Is it the one that gets drilled through the wheel arches?
Yes, No and Yes!
The drilling was the easy bit but I needn’t have bothered with the bolt holes for the side plate of the front legs as I couldn’t get my (or my wife’s ickle hands) in to get the nuts onto the bolts…she cut herself in the process on an old tiewrap which left me in the dog house for the rest of the weekend!
That said, having secured through the wheel arch (there are nice big backing plates to spread the load on the arch) and secured the front plates to the floor (easier access for bolts) and secured the two bolts onto the seatbelt towers in lieu of the factory brace, it all ties together to make a very firm rear-end to the car, effectively, your putting a ‘roof’ on, as in a monococh chassis.
Any other help I can offer (caveat being ‘limited’ help, I’m a DIYer, not a mechanic!) please holler.
Jon
TR Lane Fabrications roll bars - for the money don’t think you will find better, mine was fitted last Friday although fitting is well within the capabilities of the average mechanic,
Paul H.
