LittleFish
Enthusiast
Sorry if this post is short, I had just typed it all in and the server crashed and I lost it! Here are a few installation pics of me putting in the AF Rollbar. Just a average joe with no real auto experience. My wife refused to go into the Viper Pit or even discuss that I was working on the car. Her only response was "I can't believe what you are doing to that car". Do not be alarmed at the pictures...everything does work out in the end. These are kind of like auto accident photos, you want to look away but can't. Here is the car after I stripped it down. This took approximately 3 hours. Tires off, wheel liners off, seats out, roll hoops out and back filler panel out.
When I received by bar, there were no instructions in the box. I called AF and requested a set be sent…no problem. When I received my set the pictures were all black. Photocopies of photocopies. I called and asked for another set. Same result. 3 times same result, I gave up. The instructions reference the photos instead of having drawings or explaining using text. Remove Bracket A – see figure 1. Needless to say I am not impressed with AF instructions or customer service (allow up to that point it was great).
Here is the interior once all of the goodies are out.
Here is my test fit of the bar. The fit is great and AF engineering was right on. See figure 2 (oh figure 2 is black!) I was worried when I found a 2 inch square piece of flat metal welded onto the flat part where the bar sits. AF accounted for this and left a recess in there bar. Great work!!
Here is the bar going through the hole that I cut in the sheet metal. The bar rests on the crossbar behind the metal. I could not get a sawsall or scroll saw into the area so I improvised with a drill and several bits. A pneumatic cutter (cheap) would work great but I didn’t want to drive into town.
I also found that when AF painted the bar, they did not cover the threads of 4 bolts. I had to use a tap and die to get the paint out of the threads so that I could bolt the bar down. Once bolted in, I used high temp silicone to seal the gaps and sprayed the area with rubberized undercoating, put the wheel liners in and the tires on.
Here is the back of the hoops. The fit is tight. I was having problems figuring out exactly how to change the original plastic piece that runs along the back between the bars as well as I could not get the top to latch down. I called AF to again try and get electronic copies of the directions. I received 4 pictures that would have been useful two days earlier but absolutely no information on the question that I had asked. I was able to modify the plastic (would have been easier to do before the bar went in). I was able to adjust the stopper on the driver’s side that allowed the top to travel down enough to latch.
Here is the front view. The fit is TIGHT. Top latches down very tight. The top rubs slightly on the bars as it is raised.
Here is an overview of the interior. One concern that I have is that the back filler seems to be made out of a fiberglass material, not plastic. This material is very fragile and brittle. I will not be happy is it scratches during normal wear and/or fades in the sun.
The entire project took me 1 week. I spent 4 hours on Sat, 2 hours on Sun, 1 hour on Wed night, 1.5 hours Thurs night and about 4 hours on Sat for a total of about 12.5 hours work time by myself. With good instructions, 2 guys could complete in a day. With experience about 4 hours or less. I emailed daily updates to another AF rollbar owner so, JT if I missed something, please add.
Lifting the bar in and out about 25 times without touching paint will test your back. The tires are a bear to lift back on while sitting on the ground without hitting a brake line. Also the seats are not picnic when you lift them out.
I love the look of the bar and as soon as my 6 pts arrive I will be ready for the track. AF did a great job manufacturing but need some major improvements in customer service and those directions!.
Anyway, I must get to Fedex to pick up a 1997 Petrus before we get iced in (can’t trust Fedex to not let it freeze). I can email hi-res photos to anyone who needs them. Don’t be afraid, order the bar, make sure you get good instructions and go for it. I might suggest you order the bar from Partsrack.
Dave Koenigsfeld
You must be registered for see images
When I received by bar, there were no instructions in the box. I called AF and requested a set be sent…no problem. When I received my set the pictures were all black. Photocopies of photocopies. I called and asked for another set. Same result. 3 times same result, I gave up. The instructions reference the photos instead of having drawings or explaining using text. Remove Bracket A – see figure 1. Needless to say I am not impressed with AF instructions or customer service (allow up to that point it was great).
Here is the interior once all of the goodies are out.
You must be registered for see images
Here is my test fit of the bar. The fit is great and AF engineering was right on. See figure 2 (oh figure 2 is black!) I was worried when I found a 2 inch square piece of flat metal welded onto the flat part where the bar sits. AF accounted for this and left a recess in there bar. Great work!!
You must be registered for see images
Here is the bar going through the hole that I cut in the sheet metal. The bar rests on the crossbar behind the metal. I could not get a sawsall or scroll saw into the area so I improvised with a drill and several bits. A pneumatic cutter (cheap) would work great but I didn’t want to drive into town.
I also found that when AF painted the bar, they did not cover the threads of 4 bolts. I had to use a tap and die to get the paint out of the threads so that I could bolt the bar down. Once bolted in, I used high temp silicone to seal the gaps and sprayed the area with rubberized undercoating, put the wheel liners in and the tires on.
You must be registered for see images
Here is the back of the hoops. The fit is tight. I was having problems figuring out exactly how to change the original plastic piece that runs along the back between the bars as well as I could not get the top to latch down. I called AF to again try and get electronic copies of the directions. I received 4 pictures that would have been useful two days earlier but absolutely no information on the question that I had asked. I was able to modify the plastic (would have been easier to do before the bar went in). I was able to adjust the stopper on the driver’s side that allowed the top to travel down enough to latch.
You must be registered for see images
Here is the front view. The fit is TIGHT. Top latches down very tight. The top rubs slightly on the bars as it is raised.
You must be registered for see images
Here is an overview of the interior. One concern that I have is that the back filler seems to be made out of a fiberglass material, not plastic. This material is very fragile and brittle. I will not be happy is it scratches during normal wear and/or fades in the sun.
You must be registered for see images
The entire project took me 1 week. I spent 4 hours on Sat, 2 hours on Sun, 1 hour on Wed night, 1.5 hours Thurs night and about 4 hours on Sat for a total of about 12.5 hours work time by myself. With good instructions, 2 guys could complete in a day. With experience about 4 hours or less. I emailed daily updates to another AF rollbar owner so, JT if I missed something, please add.
Lifting the bar in and out about 25 times without touching paint will test your back. The tires are a bear to lift back on while sitting on the ground without hitting a brake line. Also the seats are not picnic when you lift them out.
I love the look of the bar and as soon as my 6 pts arrive I will be ready for the track. AF did a great job manufacturing but need some major improvements in customer service and those directions!.
Anyway, I must get to Fedex to pick up a 1997 Petrus before we get iced in (can’t trust Fedex to not let it freeze). I can email hi-res photos to anyone who needs them. Don’t be afraid, order the bar, make sure you get good instructions and go for it. I might suggest you order the bar from Partsrack.
Dave Koenigsfeld
You must be registered for see images
