Roll over bars for road use

[steveash]

One thing that Has always concerned me with the Two is the lack of a roll bar. I know the windscreen frame will be reinforced but all other convertibles I've owned have had reassuring pop-up roll hoops. It's always been on my list to get sorted but I know I shouldn't keep pushing it to the bottom.

Most of the options I've found are built for racing and probably more than I need for road use. Megillian make one that looks perfect but they don't have the best reputation for delivering.

Are there any other options? It would need to fit under soft and hard tops?

[Topdownman]

I dont think I have ever heard of a functional hoop for road use but as its not something I am interested in, I may not have been paying attention!

I can however think of 2 members who were unlucky enough to roll their cars but were unscathed by it. I seem to remember hearing that the seats also have some protective quality as well as the tubular re-inforcement inside the windscreen surround so dont worry if you cant find anything!

[JB21]

First thing I done when purchasing my 2 was fit a roll cage under the hardtop, I went with a T45 6 point cage, but instead of front overheads, I went with door bars. Sod having front overheads with no helmet on, it'll be more dangerous than having no cage.

Mine is a fast road/track car mind, even still if just a fast road car I would have fitted a cage, for the sake of £750 its a no brainer for me. That front screen is collapsing in a big roll, no doubt and the next thing is line to collapse is your head and neck.

[Chilli Girl]

 

[Dev]

 I have also heard of roll overs of a few members on my side. Both walked away without any injury.
 I do know someone that had a cage that did not wear a helmet for the street. He was a bit risky with his driving and ended up in a bad accident permanently disabled because he smashed his head on the cage. We found out later that with a full cage you need to wear a helmet otherwise its dangerous for this reason.

  As far as the various style bars they do not have the proper attachments for any safety in a roll over, are not sanctioned for some tracks and have been known to fail inspection. It is also believed that it might actually contribute to severe head trauma if it collapses.  The only roll over bar that is approved over here is the Hard Dog which requires the gas tank to be removed and attachment points to be properly installed and I believed welded to the frame. 

 For the street I think Toyota did a good job with this car by reinforcing what appears to be a strong A pillar that I believe is made of thick chrome moly tubing. I tried to cut though it on a part out car and it dulled the blade so we gave up.
 

[JB21]

@AdamR28 will know how strong the reinforcements are in the front screen, as he cut his off :-)

[JB21]

I have also heard of roll overs of a few members on my side. Both walked away without any injury.
 I do know someone that had a cage that did not wear a helmet for the street. He was a bit risky with his driving and ended up in a bad accident permanently disabled because he smashed his head on the cage. We found out later that with a full cage you need to wear a helmet otherwise its dangerous for this reason.

  As far as the various style bars they do not have the proper attachments for any safety in a roll over, are not sanctioned for some tracks and have been known to fail inspection. It is also believed that it might actually contribute to severe head trauma if it collapses.  The only roll over bar that is approved over here is the Hard Dog which requires the gas tank to be removed and attachment points to be properly installed and I believed welded to the frame. 

 For the street I think Toyota did a good job with this car by reinforcing what appears to be a strong A pillar that I believe is made of thick chrome moly tubing. I tried to cut though it on a part out car and it dulled the blade so we gave up.
 

Its also advised to fit a decent bucket seat and harness, even with a 4 point cage.

[1979scotte]

That front screen is collapsing in a big roll, no doubt and the next thing is line to collapse is your head and neck.

Funny that we've had 2 rolls and no injured members then.
May I ask why you think It would collapse?
We've seen some really horrific crashes over the years and for the most part people walk away.

[JB21]

That front screen is collapsing in a big roll, no doubt and the next thing is line to collapse is your head and neck.

Funny that we've had 2 rolls and no injured members then.
May I ask why you think It would collapse?
We've seen some really horrific crashes over the years and for the most part people walk away.

I'm not talking about bit of snap oversteer off a roundabout at low speed and tipping into a grass ditch. I'm talking about the speeds I do on track (100mph+) and then having a roll, its gonna be a 'big roll' and therefore the screen alone wouldn't stand a chance.

[Dev]

That front screen is collapsing in a big roll, no doubt and the next thing is line to collapse is your head and neck.

Funny that we've had 2 rolls and no injured members then.
May I ask why you think It would collapse?
We've seen some really horrific crashes over the years and for the most part people walk away.

I'm not talking about bit of snap oversteer off a roundabout at low speed and tipping into a grass ditch. I'm talking about the speeds I do on track (100mph+) and then having a roll, its gonna be a 'big roll' and therefore the screen alone wouldn't stand a chance.

I would have to agree with that. In most cases a roll over at that high of speed is not safe for any car and its occupants. In many cases everyone in the vehicle is dead. We often think that the safety features will save us and its only party true, high speed kills everyone and only the extraordinary lucky ones survive.

 Racing is a different ball game that requires and extraordinary amount of safety bolstering and reinforcement that only a proper roll over protection can offer. You see this with many kind of stunt cars were they are built from the ground up to take that kind of impact and even then they are still dangerous.

[Iain]

JP cages offer a half cage similar to the megillian one.


https://www.jp-cages.co.uk/product/mk3-toyota-mr2-half-cage/

[steveash]

While the likelihood of needing it is hopefully small, I'd still find it reassuring to have a solid piece of metal behind me. I'd agree though, having a full cage is not a good idea without a helmet and harness and style bars won't offer any protection.

I hadn't realised that fitting a roll bar or half cage might involve dropping the fuel tank. That makes it a bigger operation than I thought. I suppose the trouble of fitting is the reason so few people bother with them?

The JP Cages one looks spot on. Thanks.

[Roj]

Funny that we've had 2 rolls and no injured members then.

Are there any pics of rolled cars that show the screen/surround or the head-height/seat top area took a big hit? I think I've only seen one photo of a rolled Mk3 and there was barely a scratch on any panel never mind the screen, so I wondered how they'd managed it! Looked like they just fell down a ditch. Would be interesting to see how one coped with a big hit.

Tbh having seen the reinforcement in chopped screen I think it's substantial enough to hold up at 'normal' road speeds, dependent on the type of crash. But going side on and digging in at, say 60mph, I wouldn't be so keen to put my faith in it.

[AdamR28]

@AdamR28 will know how strong the reinforcements are in the front screen, as he cut his off :-)

Not huge amounts of material there but it was tough stuff!

Good to know a few people have experienced a roll over without much issue.

[cptspaulding]

I do know of one who rolled & had his neck in a brace for a while. I shan't name manes in case he might be embarassed. Usual pack drill & all that.

[steveash]

I took a deep breath and googled MR2 rollover crashes. The few results that come up show that the windscreen pillars have held up although the top piece often bends in. There are also several pictures where a hardtop can be seen to be supporting the weight of the car. Quite a surprise.

Unfortunately every accident is different and there is a big difference between a gentle topple on soft ground and going under a juggernaut. We also have to bear in mind that people (thankfully) don't share pictures of fatal or life endangering accidents.

As with all things in life we have to weigh up the risks and costs. Having brought up this subject I have almost certainly tempted the interests of fate so I should properly get on with it!

[Carolyn]

Please bear in mind that you want to avoid a structure that might connect with your noggin in a crash, unless you want to wear a crash helmet while driving on the street!

[steveash]

Please bear in mind that you want to avoid a structure that might connect with your noggin in a crash, unless you want to wear a crash helmet while driving on the street!

Yes! The JP Cages one looks to be behind stock seats. The pictures only show skinny bucket seats.