F250 Powerstroke roll over protection... - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I'd like to brainstorm with some of you about the possibilities of adding some roll over protection. These truck are heavy, and there's no way the roof is going to support the weight in a roll over situation. Mine weighs about 7300 lbs.

I'd also like a head ache rack for added safety. A roll bar in the cab is out of the question...roll bars + naked heads = BAD!!!

So, there are obviously the fake roll bars that mount in the beds of trucks. What makes these worthless? Material? Mounting? Both?

I think if you take the basic shape of one of these fake roll bars and modify the design, it could be made pretty functional, not take up much bed space, and look good.

Here's what I'm thinking. Basic truck roll bar, thin bars going across back window to act like a head ache rack, D rings or something similar in a few places for anchor points, and a bright rear facing light. The whole thing would be made out of proper tubing.

Of course thing would be worthless without proper mounting points. Would it not be good enough to mount it to the bed floor if it's reinforced underneath?

Any idea how much something like this would cost to have made? What would be nice is it'd be easy for the fabricator since he will have tons of room. Also, I would like it to be bolt in so I could remove it if I had to.

I know the front of the cab would still crush, but it's got to be better than nothing.

Let's hear some ideas and opinions...
Steve

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/77356043.jpg)

Steve91T View Member Profile	Feb 15 2012, 07:19 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,038 Joined: 3-March 10 From: Huntersville, NC Member No.: 9,105	I'd like to brainstorm with some of you about the possibilities of adding some roll over protection. These truck are heavy, and there's no way the roof is going to support the weight in a roll over situation. Mine weighs about 7300 lbs. I'd also like a head ache rack for added safety. A roll bar in the cab is out of the question...roll bars + naked heads = BAD!!! So, there are obviously the fake roll bars that mount in the beds of trucks. What makes these worthless? Material? Mounting? Both? I think if you take the basic shape of one of these fake roll bars and modify the design, it could be made pretty functional, not take up much bed space, and look good. Here's what I'm thinking. Basic truck roll bar, thin bars going across back window to act like a head ache rack, D rings or something similar in a few places for anchor points, and a bright rear facing light. The whole thing would be made out of proper tubing. Of course thing would be worthless without proper mounting points. Would it not be good enough to mount it to the bed floor if it's reinforced underneath? Any idea how much something like this would cost to have made? What would be nice is it'd be easy for the fabricator since he will have tons of room. Also, I would like it to be bolt in so I could remove it if I had to. I know the front of the cab would still crush, but it's got to be better than nothing. Let's hear some ideas and opinions... Steve (IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/77356043.jpg)

mitchntx View Member Profile	Feb 16 2012, 03:06 PM Post #2
Nothing says 'I love you.' like a box of Hydroshoks Group: Moderators Posts: 5,284 Joined: 23-December 03 From: Granbury, TX Member No.: 4	Uni-Mog FTW I think those rigs are bad-ass ... QUOTE (Steve91T @ Feb 15 2012, 01:19 PM) Of course thing would be worthless without proper mounting points. Would it not be good enough to mount it to the bed floor if it's reinforced underneath? Two things ... I think you may be underestimating the structural integrity of the cab. I have an 07 and the A and C pillars are quite substantial, especially when tied together to spread the loading. There are scenarios where the cab will certainly collapse, like flying off a cliff and land bottom side up, rolling on your side and getting T-Boned by an on-coming 18 wheeler and a hunk of a soviet satellite landing directly on the roof. But the most likely scenario is a rollover where the loading moves around as the truck rolls and isn't concentrated on a single point. Second ... Mounting a tube on its end and relying on the bed floor to support the weight IS concentrating the weight onto tow small points. You can make the mounting plate as large as you like, but the weight is still being focused on a very small and concentrated section of thin gauge metal. You'll need to penetrate the bed floor and mount directly to the frame rail for proper support.