Roll bar that mounts behind wheel well? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fourtrax · 03-02-2004, 04:03 PM

Can anybody tell me if there is a company that makes a roll bar for a 72 that mounts to the floor behind the wheel well instead of on top of it or is that something that im going to have to get made?

bouncytruck · 03-02-2004, 04:08 PM

Smittybilt. I don't think they still make them but you can still find them around. You might check with them to see if they have any more left over stock or can tell you a retail store that has them. You can also get the front cage that welds on.

Fourtrax · 03-03-2004, 12:50 AM

I always thought the Smitty only went as far back as the wheel wells. From the picture in the catalouge, it looks as if it mounts to the floor just behind the seat and on top of the wheel wells. Ill have to check that out. Does anybody have a picture of the Smittybilt roll bar? Thanks for the info Bouncy.

earl87gta · 03-03-2004, 01:45 AM

My S&W mounts behind it it is a family style cage so it has room for the back seat.

tp85 · 03-03-2004, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by earl87gta
My S&W mounts behind it it is a family style cage so it has room for the back seat.

earl,
do you have any pix of your installation? i am about to buy the SW family cage, but i think i may want to see/hear about SW installations.
thanks.

earl87gta · 03-03-2004, 11:03 AM

I dont have any pics right now my camrra busted I had a freind snap a few Ill try and catch him for some pics for you thier are a few things I would change but they are minor. I havent instaled the fron over the driver hoop yet I have the doors off replacing passenger side rocker box so I didnt want to stiffen it up. the one thing I would change is the behind the driver hoop I think it would have been nice to have it 2in wider and if you plan on being able to remove the top then you will have to change the front tubes that go down beside the doors what I will be doing is set the over head hoop back enough to get the bolts in and then use some of the left over tubing to cunect in to the down tubes the only draw back to this is you may see it in the window from the side a liitle more then if you put it in like a truck. I guess I could just use my soft top and not have that problem.

Fourtrax · 03-03-2004, 11:13 AM

Where can you get S&W products? Or should I say What is S&W?

tp85 · 03-03-2004, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by earl87gta
I dont have any pics right now my camrra busted I had a freind snap a few Ill try and catch him for some pics

Pix would be great.

How did you mount the cage? I think that SW ships both plates (for floor pan mounting) and outriggers (for a frame mount). If you used the outriggers...how did you deal with the rocker boxes?

So you would like to add an inch on each side of the driver's hoop? I guess this change would require a different bend from SW, correct?

Thanks a million for your feedback.

bouncytruck · 03-03-2004, 02:51 PM

I don't have proof, but i have been told by several people that mine is a smitty, and the rear bar mounts behind the wheelwell. I have seen several others that look the same as mine and they are said to be Smitty's too.

Mike C · 03-04-2004, 12:03 AM

The Smittybuilt bar is still available. It goes over the wheel well, and it bolts to it. The rear mount plate is kicked up in the front. 2 bolts go through the floor, and two into the wheel well ~1" up from the floor. Here is a pic of my truck with the top off and another of the inside. You can kind of see where the rear plate is, but you can't tell exactly.

bouncytruck · 03-04-2004, 12:21 AM

That's what mine looks like. In fact, Mike C, you may have been the one that told me mine was a smitty.

earl87gta · 03-04-2004, 02:08 AM

Why dont you want one that mounts on the top I have 2 that mount on top in my shed.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 03-04-2004, 04:23 AM

A buddy of mine gave me his old rollbar from his '72 K/20. The rear struts went down to the floor on his p/u but the wheel wells were in the way on a K/5; so I had another friend weld in some extensions. They were about 14" I think. Now I have a rollbar that mounts behind the wheelwell.

charles oliver · 03-04-2004, 08:16 AM

Does anybody have a soft top with the Smitty Built ?

Does it fit ok ?

Thanks
Charlie

bouncytruck · 03-04-2004, 01:23 PM

I have a soft top. It's an old Kayline. The SpecialtyTopCo tops are suppose to be made from the Kayline patterns. There is pleny of room to put the top up and down. The top barely touches the roll bar in the up position. I haven't had any troubles with it slapping on the roll bar either (at least I can't hear it over the engine and tires.)

DANL · 03-05-2004, 01:35 AM

Hey Bouncy, does the front top bow clear the rear roll bar kickers
in the top down position?

Thanks.

...Dan

bouncytruck · 03-05-2004, 02:00 PM

Yeah, it has a lot of room. The top bows sit about a foot behind the roll bar kickers in the down position. There is zero interferance between the top and the roll bar.

The only interferance with the roll bar is moving my big butt from the front to un-snap the windshielf frame to the back to fold the top down.

I keep one of those truck load keeper bars in the back of my truck and bungie cord the top to it when it is down. If I don't do that, the top will catch air and flap all over the place on the highway.

If it ever stops raining around here, I'll put the top down and take some pictures.

DANL · 03-05-2004, 09:03 PM

Thanks Bouncy!
Photos would be great.

...Danl

charles oliver · 03-06-2004, 02:08 PM

Does anybody have one for sale ?

Thanks
Charlie

charles oliver · 03-08-2004, 10:02 PM

TTT

earl87gta · 03-08-2004, 11:49 PM

I have 2 but they are on top of the wheel well

charles oliver · 03-09-2004, 10:30 AM

Earl are the ones you have that mount on top of the wheel well Painted or crome ?
Thanks
Charlie

earl87gta · 03-09-2004, 12:11 PM

Thier black

charles oliver · 03-09-2004, 05:42 PM

What are you looking to get for one? Shipping to 45030.
Thanks
Charlie
ceoliver@fuse.net

03-02-2004, 04:03 PM	#1
Fourtrax Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 42	Roll bar that mounts behind wheel well? Can anybody tell me if there is a company that makes a roll bar for a 72 that mounts to the floor behind the wheel well instead of on top of it or is that something that im going to have to get made?

03-02-2004, 04:08 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Smittybilt. I don't think they still make them but you can still find them around. You might check with them to see if they have any more left over stock or can tell you a retail store that has them. You can also get the front cage that welds on. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

03-03-2004, 01:45 AM	#4
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	My S&W mounts behind it it is a family style cage so it has room for the back seat. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

03-03-2004, 11:03 AM	#6
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	I dont have any pics right now my camrra busted I had a freind snap a few Ill try and catch him for some pics for you thier are a few things I would change but they are minor. I havent instaled the fron over the driver hoop yet I have the doors off replacing passenger side rocker box so I didnt want to stiffen it up. the one thing I would change is the behind the driver hoop I think it would have been nice to have it 2in wider and if you plan on being able to remove the top then you will have to change the front tubes that go down beside the doors what I will be doing is set the over head hoop back enough to get the bolts in and then use some of the left over tubing to cunect in to the down tubes the only draw back to this is you may see it in the window from the side a liitle more then if you put it in like a truck. I guess I could just use my soft top and not have that problem. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

03-03-2004, 02:51 PM	#9
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I don't have proof, but i have been told by several people that mine is a smitty, and the rear bar mounts behind the wheelwell. I have seen several others that look the same as mine and they are said to be Smitty's too. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

03-03-2004, 12:50 AM	#3
Fourtrax Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 42	I always thought the Smitty only went as far back as the wheel wells. From the picture in the catalouge, it looks as if it mounts to the floor just behind the seat and on top of the wheel wells. Ill have to check that out. Does anybody have a picture of the Smittybilt roll bar? Thanks for the info Bouncy.

03-03-2004, 11:13 AM	#7
Fourtrax Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Alpharetta, Ga Posts: 42	Where can you get S&W products? Or should I say What is S&W?

03-04-2004, 12:03 AM	#10
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,713	The Smittybuilt bar is still available. It goes over the wheel well, and it bolts to it. The rear mount plate is kicked up in the front. 2 bolts go through the floor, and two into the wheel well ~1" up from the floor. Here is a pic of my truck with the top off and another of the inside. You can kind of see where the rear plate is, but you can't tell exactly. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

03-04-2004, 12:21 AM	#11
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	That's what mine looks like. In fact, Mike C, you may have been the one that told me mine was a smitty. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

03-04-2004, 02:08 AM	#12
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Why dont you want one that mounts on the top I have 2 that mount on top in my shed. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

03-04-2004, 04:23 AM	#13
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,057	A buddy of mine gave me his old rollbar from his '72 K/20. The rear struts went down to the floor on his p/u but the wheel wells were in the way on a K/5; so I had another friend weld in some extensions. They were about 14" I think. Now I have a rollbar that mounts behind the wheelwell.

03-04-2004, 08:16 AM	#14
charles oliver 68 camtruck Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Harrison, Ohio USA Posts: 233	Roll Bar Does anybody have a soft top with the Smitty Built ? Does it fit ok ? Thanks Charlie __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy 4X4 68 Huger Orange Camaro 454 with TH400 :gmc:

03-04-2004, 01:23 PM	#15
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I have a soft top. It's an old Kayline. The SpecialtyTopCo tops are suppose to be made from the Kayline patterns. There is pleny of room to put the top up and down. The top barely touches the roll bar in the up position. I haven't had any troubles with it slapping on the roll bar either (at least I can't hear it over the engine and tires.) __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

03-05-2004, 01:35 AM	#16
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Top Down Interference Hey Bouncy, does the front top bow clear the rear roll bar kickers in the top down position? Thanks. ...Dan

03-05-2004, 02:00 PM	#17
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Yeah, it has a lot of room. The top bows sit about a foot behind the roll bar kickers in the down position. There is zero interferance between the top and the roll bar. The only interferance with the roll bar is moving my big butt from the front to un-snap the windshielf frame to the back to fold the top down. I keep one of those truck load keeper bars in the back of my truck and bungie cord the top to it when it is down. If I don't do that, the top will catch air and flap all over the place on the highway. If it ever stops raining around here, I'll put the top down and take some pictures. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L



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03-05-2004, 09:03 PM	#18
DANL Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Bartlett, TN Posts: 348	Thanks Thanks Bouncy! Photos would be great. ...Danl

03-06-2004, 02:08 PM	#19
charles oliver 68 camtruck Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Harrison, Ohio USA Posts: 233	Roll Bar Does anybody have one for sale ? Thanks Charlie __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy 4X4 68 Huger Orange Camaro 454 with TH400 :gmc:

03-08-2004, 10:02 PM	#20
charles oliver 68 camtruck Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Harrison, Ohio USA Posts: 233	Roll Bar TTT __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy 4X4 68 Huger Orange Camaro 454 with TH400 :gmc:

03-08-2004, 11:49 PM	#21
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	I have 2 but they are on top of the wheel well __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

03-09-2004, 10:30 AM	#22
charles oliver 68 camtruck Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Harrison, Ohio USA Posts: 233	Roll Bar Earl are the ones you have that mount on top of the wheel well Painted or crome ? Thanks Charlie __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy 4X4 68 Huger Orange Camaro 454 with TH400 :gmc:

03-09-2004, 12:11 PM	#23
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Thier black __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

03-09-2004, 05:42 PM	#24
charles oliver 68 camtruck Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Harrison, Ohio USA Posts: 233	roll bar What are you looking to get for one? Shipping to 45030. Thanks Charlie ceoliver@fuse.net __________________ 71 GMC Jimmy 4X4 68 Huger Orange Camaro 454 with TH400 :gmc:

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