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VWest77 Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2009 Posts: 290 Location: Saskatchewan
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 10:15 am Post subject: Roll bar |
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Is this a factory roll bar? I have the opportunity to buy it... but am unsure of what it is exactly.
These are the only photos I have.
Thanks for your help
_________________ 1973 Thing 1600 T181
1963 Double Cab |
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74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7391
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emersonbiggins Samba Member
Joined: February 18, 2003 Posts: 1681 Location: Nebraska
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2018 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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I don't think so. Looks like the rear mounts are where the funky brackets usually are. |
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wbailey2112 Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2015 Posts: 483 Location: Grove City, OH
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 9:35 am Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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I have one of the dealer-installed, VWoA, 5-point roll bars in my Thing and it looks nothing like this one. The original bolts to the body and the pan and is not welded to it like the one in the photos. I think what you are looking at is something that was fabricated by a previous owner.
For the record there was no such thing as a "factory" roll bar for the Thing. They were a dealer-installed option. _________________ '74 Thing
'83 Westfalia |
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Captain Spalding Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2005 Posts: 2519 Location: . . . in denial.
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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I believe VWoA offered two roll bars. One of them is configured like the one in the OP's photo: two hoops, with two straight members connecting them that run lengthwise. The link that 74 Thing posted shows an unmolested VWoA roll bar, and the curves of the hoops are more gentle than the ones in the OP's photos.
The other VWoA roll bar has only three members. A hoop over the front seat backs, and then two lengthwise members that go to the rear and then curve down to the package shelf.
Edited to add:
wbailey2112 wrote: |
I have one of the dealer-installed, VWoA, 5-point roll bars in my Thing and it looks nothing like this one.. |
I know about the Thing Shop 5-point roll bar, but I didn't know that VWoA offered one. So I guess VWoA offered three types. |
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wbailey2112 Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2015 Posts: 483 Location: Grove City, OH
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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The difference between The Thing Shop's 5-point roll bar and the VWoA is that the tubing diameter is different sizes and The Thing Shop's version has a slight bend in the front "hoop" legs so that the crossbar of the front "hoop" sits just behind the heads of the front seat passengers. The front legs of the VWoA version are straight with no bend. _________________ '74 Thing
'83 Westfalia |
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74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7391
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2018 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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This ad indicates that the roll bar is modeled after the original
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2177407
I remember that there was both a 4 point and a 5 point (with an "x" cross in the back). There were original VW accessory listings for these as well as other options such as the rear tow hitch and wheel carrier but I cannot locate them on the site. |
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hitest Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2008 Posts: 10296 Location: Prime Meridian, ID
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:57 pm Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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74 Thing wrote: |
This ad indicates that the roll bar is modeled after the original
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2177407
I remember that there was both a 4 point and a 5 point (with an "x" cross in the back). There were original VW accessory listings for these as well as other options such as the rear tow hitch and wheel carrier but I cannot locate them on the site. |
I'm sorry but that "roll" bar looks like it was made by a manufacturer of back yard trampolines. It offers no protection and is galvanized like you'd find in play equipment. _________________
EverettB wrote: |
I wonder what the nut looks like.
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'62 L390 151, '62 L469 117, '63 L380 113, '64 L87 311, '65 L512 265, '65 L31 SO-42, '66 L360 251, '68 L30k 141, '71 L12 113, '74 ORG 181
FU#5 |
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74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7391
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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I didn't say I would buy it, but the shape may resemble the original bar. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50349
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Roll bar |
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Any roll bar needs to be well padded. The chance of spilling your brains when you hit your head against the unforgiving steel of the roll bar is a much bigger threat than experiencing a roll over. |
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