PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: moonshine on July 07, 2014, 01:23:06 AM

Title: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: moonshine on July 07, 2014, 01:23:06 AM
Hi all,
 I have a 1972 cargo wagon w/351w v8 . It has a 8 pt. rollcage in it. I'm getting older and it's getting harder and harder for the wife and I to get in the car!!!! I do not race it anymore so I was thinking about taking out the roll bar so we could also use the back seat if we wanted to. But I'm afraid I'd lose the frame support and stiffness in the front end. Anything I could do under the car?

 Thank's
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: russosborne on July 07, 2014, 02:25:00 AM
You can install subframe connectors. Problem is that there aren't any for sale, so they are custom made. I am not sure if anyone here has done them on a wagon, I have a 74 wagon and want to do them as well.

If you installed the cage yourself I  would imagine you have the skills and equipment to come up with the connectors based on what some have posted here, just have to do some adjusting for the wagon specifics. Me, I don't have those skills or equipment, so I am not sure what I will be doing. Might have to make some out of wood and take them to a welder and say please make these in metal.

Maybe also leave the forward part of the cage, if you have it running from the firewall to the front frame rails, or if not then add them there?

Russ
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: amc49 on July 07, 2014, 07:05:16 PM
If someone went so far as to put rollcage they may have removed other parts of the unibody, that needs to be still fully  intact to do what you want.

The 8 point says something was removed from front shock tower area to patch the front tubes in to frame there. Any removal of unibody to allow rear bars down to rear frame is suspect as well.

Pics would go far here.
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: moonshine on July 07, 2014, 09:56:55 PM
Hi,
 My mistake, It's a 6 pt not 8 pt rollbar. Looks to me that it's welded to the top of the floor and deck with 6x8 steel plates. Can not see anythings disturbed underneath. Can't post pics, to large, I'LL KEEP TRYING, Larry
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: moonshine on July 07, 2014, 10:23:04 PM
Pics
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: moonshine on July 07, 2014, 10:48:22 PM
pic 2
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: russosborne on July 08, 2014, 12:54:38 AM
Looks like you don't have the swing out bars. If you wanted to keep the roll bar setup but make it lots easier to get in and out look into having those installed.
Russ
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: amc49 on July 08, 2014, 09:11:10 PM
Yeah, if you still wanna keep it there. If not, cut the tube at plate, leave plates in place, less work smaller area, the plates are stiffeners and would cover up fairly easy with carpet. .
Title: Re: Rollbars in pinto wagon
Post by: moonshine on July 12, 2014, 11:13:12 PM
Thank's guys, Going to think about it before I take it out. Larry