mandalman Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 Evening EachI've got my last track type thing at Shelsley next Tuesday and the following weekend I'm taking my car off to Wales for the week . I'd like to take the full roll cage off (an old Safety Devices case) and put my roll bar back on so I can drive in comfort without a helmet. This is the first year I've had a roll cage and whilst I appreciate the added safety on track I hate it on roads. With helmet on I have very little clearance and bang my head on the bars with every pot hole (and there are a lot of pot holes in Birmingham). My question is; how difficult is it to swap them over. I am mechanically inept and usually take my cars to garages to have anything done to them but I have a reasonable knowledgeable friend to help so should we be able to manage the job easily enough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted September 1, 2021 Share Posted September 1, 2021 I've had 3 different cages on and off my car several times. Take all the bolts out - there should be bolts above the rear shocks if a dedion. Then pull the rear legs upwards and once clear of the chassis pull the whole cage backwards to free the front legs.Might be prudent to have an assistant to avoid scratching paint. The holes in the side skins should be covered by the doors but will need plugging.If you are fitting an FIA bar there are thin headed bolts to go back in above the shocks.Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted September 2, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted September 2, 2021 To add to Ian's comments, the rear shocks will need removing to get access to the bolts that go vertically into the cage tubes directly above the top shock eyes. These bolts have a reduced (thin) head and you might need to grind the taper off the end of a socket to get a good purchase. Definitely a two person job, there might be some tension in the cage so be ready for some unwanted movement as you start to unbolt and lift it!Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Tips Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 How tall are you? I'm short arsed 5.8 and my drivers floor is lowered. My head is nowhere near the roll cage. Maybe that's another option for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted September 2, 2021 Member Share Posted September 2, 2021 "I am mechanically inept and usually take my cars to garages to have anything done to them but I have a reasonable knowledgeable friend to help so should we be able to manage the job easily enough?"Yes. Procedure and tool for the half-height bolt head as upthread.Would you like a copy of the Assembly Guide?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandalman Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 Yes please Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandalman Posted September 2, 2021 Author Share Posted September 2, 2021 im just over 6ft with lowered floors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted September 2, 2021 Member Share Posted September 2, 2021 Private Message sent.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandalman Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 Back again.As an alternative to swapping between roll cage and roll bar I'm wondering if this would a better option. It's listed on the CaterhamParts website as suitable for S3 but I'm assuming it's metric. Would it fit a 1999 Superlight R? Seems to me that with the absence of the outside crossbars (don't know the proper name) access is almost unhindered, whereas the easiest way out of mine with helmet on is climbing out the top! I could live with something like this permanently without swapping back and forth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 That cage is not approved for motorsport, so depends how you plan to use the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 Easy access for the Ambulance Service too....but IMHO just not safe enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandalman Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 Currently I'm not entering any competitive motorsport events, just track days and hill climb/sprint schools as there are generally held in the week. Most competitions are held at weekends which exclude me until I retire because I work every weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandalman Posted September 6, 2021 Author Share Posted September 6, 2021 I hear what you are saying Tazio but surely these offer a greater level of protection on than road than just the standard trackday rollbar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 I don't want to appear to be a doom monger, any cage offers more protection than an FIA bar, personal safety is just that a personal issue. I drive with a full cage, but I'm shorter than you, have a lowered drivers floor and only wear a helmet when it rains, so is that daft? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted September 6, 2021 Share Posted September 6, 2021 SLR cage, Tillets, 6 point harness and lowered floors no helmets, both heads well away from the steel work, as was recently tested in a shunt - we both walked away with no injuries....I wouldn't have a 7 without a cage.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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