Roll Bar Installation

[TxSkybolt]

Hi folks,

I am looking at a buggy (see photo) that currently doesn't have a roll bar or shoulder belts. It is on a '71 pan. What is the level of effort required to install a rollbar and shoulder belts?

I've seen some buggies with the roll bar affixed to the fiberglass body which doesn't seem ideal. I'd want it to attach to the pan (or am I way off base?)

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Best regards,

Brad

[Bill K]

I don't use a roll bar because either attached to the body, or to the body and pan, I can't see how it would do much good.

[Bryan Porter]

You can get one that bolts to the floor or the body.
I would use the floor anything is better than nothing.

[TxSkybolt]

Is there a source for these or are these made to order/fabricated? Can it be installed to the pan without removing the body?

[BrianB]

Where are you at? Neil at Hawkeye buggies can fix you up. Give him some measurements and he'll bend one up for you. He is east of Dallas.

[TxSkybolt]

San Antonio

[johber41]

I currently do not run with a roll bar, but my car is 50 years old and I do not want to jump dunes with it! I like the way it looks without a bar or cage. I am a fan of the cage though because with the short-pan buggy, it would not take much for some other driver to make a mistake, and if you are moving along, the buggy can get squirrely due to the short base. If you end up upside down, the windshield will not keep the car off of your head! Some of the cages are pretty stylish too!

[TxSkybolt]

I noticed this one I'm looking has neither a front or rear bumper...thought that was a requirement to be street legal in Texas. It's currently registered and has a current inspection sticker. They are asking 7450 for it, but don't know if that's in the ballpark or not.
Here are some additional photos:

[Ken]

Nice looking buggy for sure.
Seat belts are a required inspection item, but bumpers are not.
Here it a link to the TxDot Inspection Page.

[Ken]

Here is the inspection list for a Passenger Vehicle. Use their web site to understand the specific details for each item, because there are details not understood just from this list. For example, Windshield Wipers are ONLY required, if you have a windshield, but a windshield is not an inspected item.

05.01 Inspect Every Passenger Car For: (Listed in suggested order of inspection)
* Check for evidence of Financial Responsibility
1. Horn
2. Windshield Wipers
3. Mirror
4. Steering
5. Seat Belts
6. Brakes (system) (Parking - beginning with 1960 models)
7. Tires
8. Wheel Assembly
9. Exhaust System
10. Exhaust Emission System (beginning with 1968 models)
11. Beam Indicator (beginning with 1948 models)
12. Tail Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
13. Stop Lamps (2); (1) if 1959 model or earlier
14. License Plate Lamp (1)
15. Rear Red Reflectors (2)
16. Turn Signal Lamps (beginning with 1960 models)
17. Head Lamps (2)
18. Motor, Serial, or Vehicle Identification Number
19. 1988 & newer - inspect for window tinting or coating
20. Gas caps on vehicles 2-24 model years old.

[/quote]

[Bill K]

And, if you register it as an Antique / Classic you don't have to have it inspected. Plus, the license plate is about $60 and it's good for 5 years.

[johber41]

They did a nice job putting that buggy together. Make them an offer! You might get the seller to come off of the price a bit. They are fun!

[TxSkybolt]

Dealer called me just after lunch today to say he'd sold it this morning for $7,200.

[BrianB]

If you were planning on spending that much then this one is the one for you. It is beautiful. Not mine by the way.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/3541089279.html

And here is a quality built one in Dallas.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/3585218796.html

[will]

If you were planning on spending that much then this one is the one for you. It is beautiful. Not mine by the way.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/3541089279.html

And here is a quality built one in Dallas.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/3585218796.html

That one in Huntsville is a nice looking rig. I won't own another one on a cut down VW frame. Too flimsy to suit me. Merely my opinion.

[TxSkybolt]

If you were planning on spending that much then this one is the one for you. It is beautiful. Not mine by the way.
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/3541089279.html

Well, that's 25% more than the one I was looking at and the color is way too bland for a fun buggy IMO.

And here is a quality built one in Dallas.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/3585218796.html

I'm a UT fan, couldn't live with those A&M colors