El Camino roll bar

HandOverFist · 05-10-2016, 12:57 PM

I need some input on a roll bar install before I get started. I know the traditional route has always been shove the main hoop back as far as possible to attempt to hide it and follow the body contours, but the El Camino has an added quirk to the equation...no back seat area for rear down bars.

What if I move the main hoop forward top and bottom? This would allow my rear down tubes enough clearance to go thru the bed wall and continue down thru the bed into the frame. Seat back brace would of course need to be custom bent to go around behind the bench seat back. Maybe these images will convey my thoughts somewhat...

I intend to take advantage of every bit of the 5" rule by running the down tubes off the vertical uprights of the main hoop. Note this image where the rear bars are run thru the back glass...I believe in shifting the hoop a little more forward I could get the rear tubes below the shelf and thru the bed wall.

Carguy49 · 05-10-2016, 04:17 PM

If I can make a suggestion, I would contact Mark Faul for his input about location of the roll bar. He has a 66 El Camino that has been a Pro bracket car and then a small block Super Stocker and now is in Stock Eliminator. He is on this forum quite often.

HandOverFist · 05-11-2016, 12:57 AM

If I'm not mistaken his bars are thru the window...aint happening.

Dragsinger · 05-11-2016, 02:39 AM

I "think" in this situation a lexan rear glass would be allowed. It is allowed in SS.

HandOverFist · 05-11-2016, 07:29 AM

Just to be clear here guys...no bars will exit the back window on this one. I absolutely hate the way it makes the vehicle look.

Here it is accomplished in a '70 model...I believe it can be executed in a better manner tho.

Carguy49 · 05-11-2016, 11:40 AM

Yes, the bars run through the rear window on Mark's. If you can make it work without doing that, cool. I don't really like the bars though the window, either.

Larry, Mark had a lexan rear window in his El Camino (when it was a S/S car) and had to change it to glass due to complaints from other racers , if I recall correctly.

HandOverFist · 05-11-2016, 12:01 PM

Yes, Mark and I had conversed before about this when I first picked up the '67. The roll bar was the sticking point which put the project on hold. It was not until recently that I ran across a few examples that did not include bars thru the back glass...that was enough to get me interested in the project again.

It's going to happen...just looking for someone to execute the plan.

HandOverFist · 05-11-2016, 02:36 PM

Still trying to visualize this...

Carguy49 · 05-11-2016, 04:16 PM

Hey Rich, good luck on this project. In looking at the pictures in post #8 I think the second design will get you in trouble at tech. I believe the main hoop must be vertical or very, very close. I do hope you can achieve your goal of no bars through the rear window. If you want, give me a call. I am on the west coast so big time difference. My phone is 253-942-9027.

Mark Faul · 05-11-2016, 04:21 PM

Rich, one of the biggest obstacles when doing mine was figuring out the main hoop placement also. I was told that if I had it farther forward like you're showing in the drawing, I would be sitting under or behind the hoop. A tech guy told me that I'd need a funny car cage in that situation. Definitely not happening when it was an 11 second street/strip car! So the only solution was to have the bar as far rearward as possible, which limited the angle of the rear bars, so they had to go through the window.

Ron is correct on the lexan issue. (This was before the SS trucks were allowed). Our D6 tech director said "it's fine with me unless someone complains". Well, I won my first division race, and guess what....I was making a 3 piece glass window. Yeah, much safer....

Who knows, with how relaxed the Stock Eliminator rules have become, maybe your plans for the bar are ok now!?!?!

Hopefully Travis Miller or Dave Ley will help out on your questions.

05-10-2016, 12:57 PM	#1
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	El Camino roll bar I need some input on a roll bar install before I get started. I know the traditional route has always been shove the main hoop back as far as possible to attempt to hide it and follow the body contours, but the El Camino has an added quirk to the equation...no back seat area for rear down bars. What if I move the main hoop forward top and bottom? This would allow my rear down tubes enough clearance to go thru the bed wall and continue down thru the bed into the frame. Seat back brace would of course need to be custom bent to go around behind the bench seat back. Maybe these images will convey my thoughts somewhat... I intend to take advantage of every bit of the 5" rule by running the down tubes off the vertical uprights of the main hoop. Note this image where the rear bars are run thru the back glass...I believe in shifting the hoop a little more forward I could get the rear tubes below the shelf and thru the bed wall. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 05-10-2016 at 02:56 PM. Reason: add image

05-10-2016, 04:17 PM	#2
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,841 Likes: 1,762 Liked 2,228 Times in 595 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar If I can make a suggestion, I would contact Mark Faul for his input about location of the roll bar. He has a 66 El Camino that has been a Pro bracket car and then a small block Super Stocker and now is in Stock Eliminator. He is on this forum quite often. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

05-11-2016, 12:57 AM	#3
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar If I'm not mistaken his bars are thru the window...aint happening. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 05-11-2016 at 01:15 AM.

05-11-2016, 02:39 AM	#4
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar I "think" in this situation a lexan rear glass would be allowed. It is allowed in SS. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-11-2016, 07:29 AM	#5
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Just to be clear here guys...no bars will exit the back window on this one. I absolutely hate the way it makes the vehicle look. Here it is accomplished in a '70 model...I believe it can be executed in a better manner tho. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 05-11-2016 at 07:37 AM.

05-11-2016, 11:40 AM	#6
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,841 Likes: 1,762 Liked 2,228 Times in 595 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Yes, the bars run through the rear window on Mark's. If you can make it work without doing that, cool. I don't really like the bars though the window, either. Larry, Mark had a lexan rear window in his El Camino (when it was a S/S car) and had to change it to glass due to complaints from other racers , if I recall correctly. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

05-11-2016, 12:01 PM	#7
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Yes, Mark and I had conversed before about this when I first picked up the '67. The roll bar was the sticking point which put the project on hold. It was not until recently that I ran across a few examples that did not include bars thru the back glass...that was enough to get me interested in the project again. It's going to happen...just looking for someone to execute the plan. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 05-11-2016 at 12:05 PM.

05-11-2016, 02:36 PM	#8
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,655 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Still trying to visualize this... __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321 Last edited by HandOverFist; 05-11-2016 at 02:59 PM.

05-11-2016, 04:16 PM	#9
Carguy49 VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Fife, Washington Posts: 1,841 Likes: 1,762 Liked 2,228 Times in 595 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Hey Rich, good luck on this project. In looking at the pictures in post #8 I think the second design will get you in trouble at tech. I believe the main hoop must be vertical or very, very close. I do hope you can achieve your goal of no bars through the rear window. If you want, give me a call. I am on the west coast so big time difference. My phone is 253-942-9027. __________________ Ron McDowell - Did Race Every day is a Gift - Enjoy with family and friends.

05-11-2016, 04:21 PM	#10
Mark Faul Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Tacoma,WA Posts: 341 Likes: 2 Liked 43 Times in 9 Posts	Re: El Camino roll bar Rich, one of the biggest obstacles when doing mine was figuring out the main hoop placement also. I was told that if I had it farther forward like you're showing in the drawing, I would be sitting under or behind the hoop. A tech guy told me that I'd need a funny car cage in that situation. Definitely not happening when it was an 11 second street/strip car! So the only solution was to have the bar as far rearward as possible, which limited the angle of the rear bars, so they had to go through the window. Ron is correct on the lexan issue. (This was before the SS trucks were allowed). Our D6 tech director said "it's fine with me unless someone complains". Well, I won my first division race, and guess what....I was making a 3 piece glass window. Yeah, much safer.... Who knows, with how relaxed the Stock Eliminator rules have become, maybe your plans for the bar are ok now!?!?! Hopefully Travis Miller or Dave Ley will help out on your questions.