Click here for the Boss Frog FAQ page.
-
What roll bar works with the newest Miata (MX-5) the 2006 and later?
Currently there are NO roll bars that can be added to the newest MX-5s, and at this point as far as we know no one is working on developing one either. The interior of the new Miata is so different that some believe it may be impossible to ever add a bolt in roll bar.
-
Special Note for SCCA Autocross
Many SCCA regions do not require a roll bar of any sort for Autocross events. However, many regions require that if you equipment your Miata with a roll bar it must meet the SCCA specs for roll bars to run in any of their events.
Here is an example of what could happen. You arrive at an SCCA Autocross event with a bar that does not meet SCCA specs, like the Hard Dog Deuce, Sport or Extreme. Because it doesn't meet SCCA specs you can not run. However, it you were to removed the bar (which would be very hard to do on the spot) they would then let you run in the Autocross. (I know it seems odd, but that is the way they run things.)
The bottom line is that is you ever plan to go near a track with your Miata, you should get a roll bar that meets or exceeds the SCCA specs for roll bars. Two excellent examples of bars the meet the SCCA specs are the Boss Frog Double Hoop Roll Bar and the Hard Dog Hard Core Bar.
-
Q) What is the difference between a style bar and a roll bar?
A) As the names implies, a style bar is just that, a bar with style. It offers minimal protection in a roll over and could in fact even lead to additional injuries. This is because style bars are generally attached very superficially at only two points (generally bolted only at the top of the seat belt tower - the Hard Bar is different, but more on that later) and most will probably break off at the attachment points and bend over, mouse trap style, if very much force is placed on it.
On the other hand a true roll bar will have additional bracing to keep it from bending over or collapsing if lateral force is applied. However, the additional bracing can make it somewhat harder to build.
-
Q) What is the difference between the Hard Bar and other style bars?
A) The Hard Bar is sort of a cross between a true roll bar and a style bar. The Hard Bar is not only attached at the top of the seat belt tower, like style bars are, but is also attached again down at the base of the wall behind the seats for a total of four mounting points. This is as many attachment points as some roll bars on the market. However, the Hard Bar does not have the additional bracing (like the Sport and Core bars do) needed to handle a great deal of lateral force and could bend in a roll over.
-
Q) Will the Hard Dog restrict the movement of either seat?
A) It depends. For the Sport, not at all. With the Core the main vertical support can hit the back of the seat towards the top if the seat is all the way back and reclined a couple of notches. Generally this only becomes an issue with people who are over 6-feet tall. I'm 6'1" and don't have this problem.
-
Q) Are there any "true" roll bars available that are double hooped like the style bars?
A) Up until recently the answer was no. There are now two bars available. Check out the Hard Dog Deuce and the Boss Fog Double Hoop Roll Bar. But beware, there is one style bar on the market that looks like a real roll bar but it isn't. What it has is diagonal bracing coming off the top of the hoops that go to flat plates right over the gas tank. I'd hate to be in a Miata equipped with one of these in a roll over because you would probably end up with two holes punched in your gas tank. The last place I'd ever want to be is upside down in a car with gasoline pouring over me.
-
Q) I see that I can use an M2 roll bar without a diagonal in an M1 that has a rear glass window. But what if I use an M2 with a Double Diagonal? It looks like there may be room for a glass rear window.
- A) This all depends on what type glass window, the Robbins window hits the standard M2 Sport diagonal(s). If it's an M2 top or one of the tops that use a window the same size as the OEM all M2 bars including the Hard Core will work. BUT if it's a Robbins, Duetto or one of the tops with a larger than OEM glass, special considerations have to be made concerning the M2 Sport diagonal(s) and the Hard Core will not work at all. We can special order a bar with special diagonal braced bars for the Robbins applications, 1 inch up the rear brace. Our stock numbers for these bars are TM-506-DDG or TM-506-G.
-
Q) Just how safe is a Miata WITHOUT a roll bar?
A) Well, by U.S. law it is a requirement that the windshield frame on a convertible be able to support the weight of the car. That means that if you gently raise the Miata, flip it over and gently set it down, the windshield frame won't collapse.
Get it going at speed - throw it up in the air and slam it back down on the windshield - now that is a different story. We have seen the results of a Miata in a single rollover (soft roll) come out pretty good. Sure the windshield was bent - but the people were either unhurt (seatbelt engaged at the time of the rollover) or only had minor injuries. Roll it more than that - the windshield gets pretty flat.
Now the question is - who ever plans on rolling their Miata in the first place? Then if they do - only rolling it over once?
-
Q) How can I get my roll bar installed?
A) First off have you considered doing the install yourself. It is easier than most people think - it just takes most of a day and the help of a friend. On our site we have complete installation information including a complete install operation in photos.
Also - on the Team Miata Resources page is a listing of Miata Clubs around the country. Find one in your area and contact them. They can recommend a good place to have it installed or perhaps someone in the club would be willing to help you install it on a weekend.
If all that fails, check out the Yellow pages of the phone book and look under Automobile - Performance Shops. Those are usually the types of shop that are familiar with installing roll bars.
If you do have it installed by a shop - don't let them charge you more than 4 or 5 hours of labor. My guy only takes 4 hours to do one.
-
Q) If I already had a Hard Dog Sport install and want to replace it with a Core - are the holes the same or will they have to be re-drilled?
A) Yes - The bolt patterns in the foot plates are the same, so the front plates will be pretty close but the rear plates will not be in the same place so they must be re-drilled.
-
Q) Is there a hard top short version of the '99+ Core available?
A) NO, the Hard Core for the '99+ cannot be made in a short version to meet SCCA SOLO I specs AND accommodate the glass rear window. We offer a latch kit to replace the hard top side latches ($75.00) that will allow the hard top to work with the '99 Hard Core. We could custom build a '99 Sport Bar from 1.75" tubing but the bend in the rear legs does not meet SOLO I requirements.
-
Q) How much do the roll bars weigh?
A) The approximate weights are as follows:
|
Boss Frog
|
55 pounds approximately (For both the Double Hoop and the ClearView)
|
|
Hard Bar
|
20 pounds.
|
|
Hard Bar Sport
|
35-45 pounds depending on options (diagonal, harness bar)
|
|
Hard Dog Deuce
|
45 pounds depending on options
|
|
Hard Dog Extreme
|
55 pounds approximately
|
|
Hard Core
|
55 pounds (the 99 is a little lighter because of the harness tabs instead of harness bar and the 99 Sport has shorter rear braces)
|
|
Roll Cage
|
70 pounds approximately
|
-
Q) Does the cross bar that goes between the seat belt towers have to be removed for any of the bars?
A) No - the bar is removed during installation, then it is replaced after the bar is installed.
-
Q) What is the difference between the Hard Dog Sport and the Hard Dog Core?
A) The main difference is the Sport is made of 1½ inch stainless steel while the Core is made from 1¾ inch stainless steel. With the Sport you also have the option to add the diagonal and cross bars while on the Core these are standard. The Extreme is also made of 1¾ inch stainless steel just like the Core
-
Q) Does the boot need to be modified to work properly with the roll bars?
A) With the Hard Bar - NO, it doesn't have any of the back bracing that interferes with the boot. With the Boss Frogs, HD Sport and HD Core - Yes. The bracing going toward the rear of the car interferes with the boot. You have two options, you can either take the boot to a car upholstery shop to have it modified to be able to go around back bracing bars on the roll bar. Upholstery shops that specialize in car upholstery, usually don't have any problems making the modification. OR, you can also do it yourself. Click for details
-
Q) Will my window lay flat after I install the roll bar?
A) For the Hard Bar - YES. For the Boss Frog, HD Sport or the HDCore - Sort of.
The window part (clear part) will lay flat but the rest of the flap will sort of bend gently over the back braces. On the bars that have the harness bar (like the HD Core) the window the zipper lines neatly up with the harness bar and runs half of it's vertical length on the rear support legs. That is why we offer the No-Zip Windows Protector. It solves this problem completely.
-
Q) Will the diagonal bar for the Sport (optional) or the HD Core obstruct my rear view?
A) Yes and No - it depends on how tall you all. If you are tall, the single diagonal bar will go right through your field of vision as you look through your rear view mirror. It isn’t bad - just a little annoying. You get use to it in short time. BUT - there is also the new Double Diagonal version of both bars available. Depending on how tall you are, there will be with no obstruction or the cross members may cut off the view of the outer edges of the rearview mirror. Or from about 1" in on either side of the mirror diagonally down to the corners, almost a framing effect. However is your are looking for a truly unobstructed read view - you may want to look at the Boss Frog ClearView.
-
Q) What is the difference between the Hard Core and the Hard Core Short (Hard Top) bars (for M1 cars only)?
A) The short version, available for use with the hard top, is about ½ inch shorter and sets back a little. The big problem with the hard top working with the bar is the location of the side latches for hard top. The set back is to accommodate those latches. Essentially the short version is a Sport Bar made of 1¾ inch steel.
-
Q) How do the '99+ (M2) HD Bars work with the factory glass windows?
A) Perfectly. The diagonal bars are moved forward a bit to accommodate the glass window. However, in order for the wind blocker to be able to still flip up and down the ends need to be trimmed or the entire wind blocker unmounted and moved forward about an inch.
-
Q) Will a '99+ (M2) bar work with an older Miata equipped with a Robbin's Top glass rear window?
A) YES - the glass window in the Robbin's Top just barely fits even though the OEM glass in the '99 is a bit smaller. Your only option then is to install a Hard Bar. It can accommodate any top with a glass rear window.
Another option if you do have a '90-'97(M1) Miata and want a roll bar and a top with a glass rear window, you can do it by replacing you current top with a '99+(M2) Factory top, frame and window. It fits the older models perfectly.
-
Q) Does any part of my Miata have to be cut?
A) Yes - you will need to cut and trim some of the paneling for the seat belt tower for the Bar, Sport and Core. For the HD Sport and HD Core you will also have to cut the carpet and cut some of the metal on each side of the gas tank. The metal cut will not show after you are finished.
-
Q) I see there is a leather option for both the HD Bar and HD Sport - can I add it later?
A) Yes you can add it later - It has a about a 1/4 inch of padding and can be installed given a little bit of time. It attaches with Velcro. However, for the HD Sport, it is easier to do it when the bar is ordered. Some of the leather needs cut and trimmed to go around the rear braces. This is usually best done by the factory or an upholster.
-
Q) I've heard there are some problems with the Hard Dogs. One is with the alignment and proper fit and the other is with the seat belt. What's the deal?
A) Simple - neither is a problem. Our installer has installed well over 200 Hard Dogs and there hasn't been a problem with a single seat belt or alignment. Of course he has the advantage of installing the bars properly.
Some people (I'd guess perhaps about 10-percent) can't or won't follow the instructions. Of course then when something doesn't work they blame the bar. We see this most of the time with people who only jack up one side of their Miata instead of the entire rear end up - as the instructions clearly state. If only one side of the Miata is lifted during the install, the body gets twisted - just a little - but it will be enough so the holes don't line up. Of course these people then say - the bar is bent or poorly built.
The other is the seat belt (very rare). There is a bit of trimming that must be done to the hole where the seat belt comes out (a template is included in the instructions). This allows the belt to be routed around the bar and it then works just fine - that of course assumes that you reinstalled the seat belt take-up reel properly.
In my Miata, and every other one I've sat in, the seat belt works freely. In fact I have more problems with the seat belts in my new Toyota 4Runner then I do in my Miata with the Hard Dog.
-
Q) Which is the best roll bar for me?
A) That depends on you and your driving habits.
If you drive hard and on the edge (have a lot of tickets), autocross a lot and just plan push your Miata to its limits - then the Hard Core or Boss Frog ClearView is the roll bar for you. They are also the strongest and sturdiest of all the roll bars and meet Sport Car Club of America specifications for use on the track.
If you want the look of the Double Hoop Style Bar but want a bar that meets Sport Car Club of America Solo I specifications, then you may want to look at the Boss Frog Double Hoop Roll Bar
If you don’t necessarily push your Miata hard and are just looking for an extra measure of protection, don’t want your rear view obstructed, or your friend says, "I’m not getting in that car unless it has a roll bar!" - then the Hard Dog Sport Bar may fit your needs.
If you want the look of a double hump style bar, but demand some level of protection in a roll over then check out the Hard Dog Extreme or HD Deuce.
If you are just looking for a little extra protection, and don’t feel you need a full roll bar, yet want a small measure of safety that other style bars don’t offer. Then perhaps the Hard Bar is the way to go.
A NOTE OF CAUTION - No roll bar, or even a roll cage, is a substitute for good and safe driving habits. NEVER feel that just because you have a roll bar you are "safe" and can push the limits of your Miata further than you would otherwise. Even the best roll bar can collapse if the accident is severe enough.
