Roll cage door bar and window crank

[Ed Wright]

A "contoured" bar is not as strong as a straight bar.

[GallopinGhost]

I agree if we're talking in compression or tension. In the case of a side impact or roll over, a "contoured" bar seems more sturdy over a hinge and pin...........But both are used and pass tech. Personal preference I guess. Don't wanna do any testing though

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Ed Wright

A "contoured" bar is not as strong as a straight bar.

Depends on the hit. Bars that are contoured out are stronger in a side impact. Anyway, considering all the structure of a cage, there is a lot more if the structure that comes into play in a crash than just that side bar.

[grncpe]

I have a 70 Cuda also with s&w cage, I altered the door bar to be able to use the stock handle with the window net up. You can still wind the window down & up but it's a pita. Easier to have the door open. I can post some pics if you like?

[GallopinGhost]

Yeah, a picture from the inside showing how it routes by the handles would be great. I have a challenger, not sure if the handles are in the same location or not.

Originally Posted by grncpe

I have a 70 Cuda also with s&w cage, I altered the door bar to be able to use the stock handle with the window net up. You can still wind the window down & up but it's a pita. Easier to have the door open. I can post some pics if you like?

[buzzinhalfdozen]

SFI specs allow bends in door bars, at least on a 8.50 car...not sure on the lower E.T. cars but doubt it. My personal opinion on swing out bars is not a big fan. Just looking at them in different variations not sure I'd ever put one in my personal car. I see no way ity could be as secure as a PROPERLY welded bar. BTW dale I've used a couple of the cheap, lite cable operated power window set ups from the newer cars on cars not designed for the...works great, however there is a little fab work involved. Can be done for less than 150.00 both doors less wiring and switches.

[Jim Caughlin]

Ask Jeff Lane about power windows, a few years ago he had one fail in the down position (and if I remember right it was in eliminations, not qualifying), got booted and lost the round. I guess I'm a big fan of simple mechanical things that are less likely to fail. Also wonder how happy they are with 16 volt batteries.

[Ed Wright]

Mine have been fine with 16 volts for almost 6 years now. Faster.

[Ed Wright]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

Depends on the hit. Bars that are contoured out are stronger in a side impact. Anyway, considering all the structure of a cage, there is a lot more if the structure that comes into play in a crash than just that side bar.

But, not curved down to clear window cranks. No room to curve one out in anything I have raced. Had to notch the arm rests to shut the door on straight bars.

[Jason]

At least this way you cannot roll the window down until you turn off the end of the track.