Hi all, I'm looking for roll bar alternatives to the Plus 4 Sport (2011 model).

The Aero Racing option is tempting:



As well as the librands roll bar:



Some questions for the TM knowledge base on these models:

*Does the mounting of the Aero Racing option involve cutting the frame etc. like the librands does?

*Are there any known issues with either option (quality, rust, finish, fitment, etc.)

*Any knowledge on the headroom with both is welcome, measured height and position in cockpit would be great info!

*Does one or the other use less boot space when mounted?

*Will the old style (9-stud) hood function with both?

There is not a lot of info on the web for these products (except for the splendid "how to mount a librands roll bar") so any info is welcome!

Also, any info on other roll bars are most welcome, except the helmet/FIA ready ones a-la safety devices...


Here is a picture of a safety devices one (they probably have several?):

I have the Safety Devices bar. No rust after 20 years but I would add that proximity
to the head might necessitate a padded restraint. There are a couple of examples in the photo galleries of fitment to the older(80/90's) plus fours. It might be different in a newer one. Mine has the fixed diagonal.

I have the latest double-diagonal Safety Devices as used on the +4SS but I would not recommend it for road use as the diagonals are very close to the occupants heads. In addition, the integral harness bar seriously affects access to the already limited internal luggage space. On the other hand, it is not necessary to cut the frame to fit the SD bar.

I'm about to have one fitted to my 2011 4/4 sport, and like you could not find one off the shelf. I'm getting a safety devices roll bar that needs to be modified to fit the car. I think my 'cabin' is the same width as yours.
I won't be racing it, but wanted a bit of extra safety just in case. I saw 2 tin tops side by side on their roof last year, and it made me think !
The car is used for touring a lot, so I've asked for a bar with no diagonals to make it easier to use the rear shelf.
I'll let you know if its successful or not in a few weeks.

Melvyn Rutter has the sole agnecy for Safety Devices Morgan roll bars, so the price is quite high!. Could try Techniques, Librands or these people who do race roll bars

http://www.customcages.co.uk/homepage

I'm sure any of these companies can fabricate a 4/4 roll bar.
3 quotes never does any harm!

John

Mr Rutter quoted over £1k a few years ago to me for my +4. So I backed off.
There is I understand a lot of labour involved.
Let me know if you find a low cost solution as I would be interested.

The low cost solution is...don't have one. Unless you wear full harness I just can't see how they will protect you in a rollover unless the bar is a lot higher than the ones in your photo....and without a helmet you'd stand a good chance of seriously bashing your head in an accident.

I rolled a Jeep Wrangler, did 3 complete revolutions down a hill and into a field. Standard seatbelt and the rollover bar saved both me and my brothers life or from serious injury.

I completely agree that rollover bars should be accompanied by other safety equipment to function to the highest degree. But my experience is so vivid and makes me subjective on roll bars.

In the Wrangler accident I made impact with the top of my head and both my hands on the ground during the first of the revolutions. The seatbelt held me back but one of my hands came in between the rollbar and the soft soil of the hill. Slightly bruised and knocked about, with broken glass from the windshield in my eyes, yet mostly unharmed. My bodys natural reaction was to "reach up to catch my fall" when the car was upside down, and therefore my hands where placed in the most dangerous place for them to be. Luckily it was soft soil instead of hard asphalt.

The accident happened during winter time on a reasonably straight road with near to clear ice. The reason for the accident was my inexperience in driving a strong 4.0 litre automatic engine packing over 200 hp to the rear wheels and an automatic gearbox on slippery surfaces. (Yes I was young, and had only held a licence for half a year )

The police took away my licence for 6 months even though I was driving under the limit, as we have a law stating you need to "drive as the conditions allow."

As for the Wrangler, after the roll all four wheels where broken off, the rear axle was broken, the windshield was obliterated and seriously dinged. The roll bar has moved slightly into the body of the car, and had a 15 cm "V" shaped depression in the middle. All four wheel arches where smashed into the body, the front bumper was offset around 8 cm to the side, and the cars frame was both twisted and bendt.

Now 16 years later I'm a different and more experienced driver, with no accidents for 14 years. So the roll bar is probably unneccesary, but as I stated, subjective on the topic...

Hi Normog, I fitted the Librands rollbar to my previous car. Its not difficult but takes some time. Access to the parcel tray is good, not much space lost. Paint on the subframe was pretty poor. I would think the exposed parts of that (on the chassis) could rust in time. I thought the hoop itself and its flanges where a little thin. I would have prefered heavier gauge material.

The height is low enough to fit under the easy-up hood, and as jays says it might not keep you out of harms way completely but I still think a good rollbar improves your chances in a roll significantly. (and also adds some side-impact and torsion stiffness?)

For my current car I am thinking of a slightly higher custom made one, together with a harnass.

Cheers J

I hope I wasn't coming over as being negative in my previous comment Kevin. I had been thinking of a roll bar myself but just came to the conclusion that a full harness would be needed to make it effective. I'm still having a think about it as at some stage I'm keen to do some sprints etc in it.