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...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf6j037uf.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psawqb8myo.jpg

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.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psleufexcv.jpg

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.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

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

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

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

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.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psypq0lnae.jpg

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.

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.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psg2dmlx0g.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...pso8xkttb4.jpg

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Still trying to visualize this...

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psjldu4gmx.png

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psqmzneqrc.jpg

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.

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.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Thanks so much for the input guys. I read some of the comments tonight while at work on a ipad. This roll bar thing has worried me to death thinking about it...so much so I drove out to the shop after work to do some more measuring.

Unless my eyes, yardstick, cardboard tubing and plumb bob are lying to me I may have just figured this thing out. I sat in the seat and figured out the top of the hoop would be just behind the back of my head. I believe running the rear down tubes off the sides of the hoop within 5" of the top I can actually get them just below the bed floor and into the frame! :D

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psx2v9o5ia.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmbhmklc9.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...psifut3ihf.jpg

I have been talking with a fabricator with a local rock buggy shop who does excellent work, but he has put me off two times now with a quote. I'm beginning to have reservations about him now as I don't think he has had much experience with door cars. My gut tells me he wants to slap it in his way. I may just wait until Marty Gunt gets back from vacation and let him do it...he has a ton of experience with this stuff and I know it will be right.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Rich, a poly race seat would get you some extra room for the back down bars. -Al

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Rich, I think I would wait for Marty to do the job. The last thing you would want is issues the first time you go through tech. Make sure it is right the first time.

Yes, light weight race seats would give you more room to work with, but the stock seats look much better in a Stock Eliminator car/truck.

Just my 2 cents.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

I agree 100%! The only way I would even consider aftermarket seats is if I had a powerplant capable of propelling this beast far under the index. My low budget junk will be lucky to make it to the class index. :rolleyes:

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Shopping around I have found I can get a 8-point kit, 1-3/4 x .083 CM for $649 shipped from these folks... http://www.rhodesracecars.com/

If there are any cheaper alternatives out there I'm all ears. Should be plenty of material for Marty to work with.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Rich, Thanks for the update. Was wondering how things were going. Looking forward to seeing the completed project.

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Rich, check with these guys as well. -Al

http://autoweldchassis.com/

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Thanks Al...will do. ;)

Edit: Even better pricing there Al! :)

Re: El Camino roll bar
 

Can anyone confirm a hoop for a Chevelle will fit a El Camino using a bench seat?