About Door Bars.

[syborg tt]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

Unless you're building a 10.90 car -- which is doubtful -- run a four point bar. If you want more protection, add a halo and a-pillar bars through the top of the dash, then connect them with a sill bar 1" above the door sill. Unless you can bring the power AND the traction, forget the NHRA guide.

I'm not a fan of street cars with "Halo Bar" in fact in most states they are not legal. Also 4 & 5 point restraints are not legal and you are personally liable for the passenger if you don't use DOT approved seat belts.

Here is the main problem. If you get in a car accident and hit your head on the bar there is a pretty good chance your going to end up dead. Of course you can always drive with a helmet on but that get's hot.

Here is what we did in the Mini-Truck







DOT Approved Seat belts from Seatbelt Planet



believe it or not the buckel is the part that makes them DOT approved.



don't forget you need to plan a headrest also to prevent whiplash

[Flash68]

With my removable steering wheel I can get in and out of this easily.

[wiedemab]

Originally Posted by syborg tt

Here is the main problem. If you get in a car accident and hit your head on the bar there is a pretty good chance your going to end up dead. Of course you can always drive with a helmet on but that get's hot.

I assume this statement is referring to the fact that these bars are typically the closest thing for someone to come into contact with, which I understand.

Question though - is there a significant difference in contacting the downbar and contacting the a-pillar.

I'm just trying to understand all of these potential concerns as I plan a future build that will likely have some sort of cage.

[Steve Chryssos]

My wife's throat impacted the 68's padded dash. It almost killed her a lot. Her throat swelled up and she had to be intubated on site.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that direct impacts with plastic covered sheet metal surfaces such as dashes, doors, and A-pillars are any safer than properly placed roll bar tubing with the correct padding and five point harnesses.

I re-engineered the seat brackets to lower the seats for adequate clearance and we ALWAYS wear the five point harnesses to resist vertical movement.

Needlepoint is dangerous also. Those needles are sharp and the yarn might accidentally get wrapped around your fingers and interrupt circulation.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

My wife's throat impacted the 68's padded dash. It almost killed her a lot. Her throat swelled up and she had to be intubated on site.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that direct impacts with plastic covered sheet metal surfaces such as dashes, doors, and A-pillars are any safer than properly placed roll bar tubing with the correct padding and five point harnesses.

I re-engineered the seat brackets to lower the seats for adequate clearance and we ALWAYS wear the five point harnesses to resist vertical movement.

Needlepoint is dangerous also. Those needles are sharp and the yarn might accidentally get wrapped around your fingers and interrupt circulation.

Proper design and anticipation for the unknown is the key to building a safe cage. Im sure if we included sewing needles in our custruction we would also include a thimble large enough to fit over our heads.

[Steve Chryssos]

Agreed. There is assumed risk either way with 40 year old cars. I get the argument: "Halo bars and a-pillar bars are closer to occupants than a-pillars, window frames and door structures. And those bars are hard." Got it.

On paper, that argument is rock solid. But go ahead and tape paper to your tires and start driving. The paper comes off in, like, a half a block.

In reality, an impact or rollover can move A-pillars, doors and other sheet metal structures closer to you. ....And a-pillars, doors, roof sheetmetal -- and even door glass and trees are more than hard enough to scramble your brains on impact.

Cage design matters as does the right seats. I have, however, eliminated my back seat because I could not envision a safe solution for rear occupants.

That's just my perspective, of course. Safe is a new car with 17 air bags that remains parked in the garage. Everything else is assumed risk.

[Greg from Aus]

Originally Posted by streetfytr68

Agreed. There is assumed risk either way with 40 year old cars. I get the argument: "Halo bars and a-pillar bars are closer to occupants than a-pillars, window frames and door structures. And those bars are hard." Got it.

On paper, that argument is rock solid. But go ahead and tape paper to your tires and start driving. The paper comes off in, like, a half a block.

In reality, an impact or rollover can move A-pillars, doors and other sheet metal structures closer to you. ....And a-pillars, doors, roof sheetmetal -- and even door glass and trees are more than hard enough to scramble your brains on impact.

Cage design matters as does the right seats. I have, however, eliminated my back seat because I could not envision a safe solution for rear occupants.

That's just my perspective, of course. Safe is a new car with 17 air bags that remains parked in the garage. Everything else is assumed risk.

Very well put Steve.

The biggest risk you will take is hopping in the car, bars or no bars, it's the riskiest thing we do every day.

Greg