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  Dec. 4, 2010 2:40 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  I'm attempting to install my Hard Dog bar into my Miata today. It's not going well. It's cold, the damn thing doesn't play nice with ABS, and I have no spare car to drive. I think I'm going to bolt the seatbelts and hardtop back on and pay somebody to finish it...

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  Dec. 4, 2010 3:28 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

  I've never had a problem installing one of the half dozen or so I've installed, ABS or not. What style and in what year Miata? Is it used? If it is make sure its not tweaked.

  I love going to the Pull-a-Part because the dollar admission is cheaper than most car shows and you almost always see cooler cars.

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  Dec. 4, 2010 6:08 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  It's a 93 Miata B-Pack. It has ABS. The roll bar is a Hard Dog Sport Hardtop. It is not tweaked. The hard part is cutting all the metal out for the downbars to fit while wedged into the interior with the top up!

  I gave up and fixed the go-kart instead.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT

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  Dec. 4, 2010 6:35 p.m. Woody SuperDork

  Here's a tip: You absolutely need to remove all the seam sealer from under the roll bar base plates.

  I can send photos of my roll bar install if you want.

  Unleash the relentless power of her 1400cc Quadrozontal engine...

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  Dec. 4, 2010 6:35 p.m. BoxheadTim Dork

  Errr, yes, I don't think you want to do this with the roof up...

  Sanity is vastly overrated.

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  Dec. 4, 2010 6:41 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

  AHHH. You're doing it wrong!

  Step 1 is remove the seats. Actually thats true of almost anything in a Miata. Always use anti-sieze on the bolts in the snow belt because you KNOW they'll be coming out again. Side note: to transport 4 tires in your Miata, remove the passenger seat.

  The top needs to be about 1/2 down for most of a bar install. Its really easier to just unbolt it and take it off since it only takes ten minutes.

  What are you using to cut with? A harbor freight air sawzall will have it done in a few seconds. Don't even bother with tin snips, you'll just hurt yourself. A 93 means the engine ECU isn't in the way-what is the problem with ABS?

  I love going to the Pull-a-Part because the dollar admission is cheaper than most car shows and you almost always see cooler cars.

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  Dec. 4, 2010 6:45 p.m. Woody SuperDork

  Roof up. Seats out. Hole saw and Jigsaw.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Unleash the relentless power of her 1400cc Quadrozontal engine...

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  Dec. 4, 2010 10:19 p.m. Javelin SuperDork

  The ABS lines come up through the bulkhead right where the downbar feet go. I have to disconnect them from the brakes and pull the wiring, drill a new hole for them and re-install. I also still need to sand/grind the seam sealer and that spray on sound deadener from the floor area. I really should take the seats out and just try again, I got pretty close. I don't have a holesaw, but I do have a dremel (multi-speed, real one) that was working pretty well.

  I did manage to fix my go-kart and drive a few laps after I got frustrated with the Miata and quit though.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT

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  Dec. 5, 2010 5:25 a.m. Woody SuperDork

  Use a putty knife and just scrape the sealer off. If you try to sand it, it will just melt and smear from the heat.

  I never had a Miata with ABS, so no advice there...

  Unleash the relentless power of her 1400cc Quadrozontal engine...

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  Dec. 5, 2010 9:26 a.m. Keith SuperDork

  I've never had to relocate wires. I remember there are a couple of harnesses that are pretty close to being in the way, but not enough to warrant rerouting. It's been a while though.

  Square left in 50 caution ocean!

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  Dec. 5, 2010 9:28 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

  They are right under the foot pads. The destructions even say they have to be moved.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT

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  Dec. 5, 2010 10:01 a.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

  Might be a bit of a fight since the wires are in there so tight but I'm pretty sure you can pull them aside. It may not seem like it but you can.

  I love going to the Pull-a-Part because the dollar admission is cheaper than most car shows and you almost always see cooler cars.

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  Dec. 5, 2010 10:18 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

  I don't think you understand. Where the ABS wires come through the sheetmetal is right smack-dab in the middle of the foot pad. They HAVE to be moved. There is no other solution.

  Michael Pinto - 73 AMC Javelin / GoKart / 93 Miata STS / 01 Grand Prix GT

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  Dec. 5, 2010 1:12 p.m. Keith SuperDork

  Well, I did say it had been a while...

  Square left in 50 caution ocean!

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  Dec. 5, 2010 7:27 p.m. Slyp_Dawg Reader

  it took me a few nights to get mine installed on my '94 A-pack (I think it's an A-pack anyway...), but that's more due to not quite knowing what needed to be done at first, and getting nickel-and-dime'd to death from not having all the tools necessary (get one tool you need, then get far enough to realize you need another tool... it never ends, man!) that, and a severe lack of light, due to the fact that my driveway wasn't lit terribly well and I ran out of daylight quite often

  "We are on the cutting edge of cocking about" Richard Hammond

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  Dec. 6, 2010 1:25 a.m. thatsnowinnebago Dork

  Did you buy a really long drill bit? Its pretty key for drilling the holes for the bolts. Also, I second just taking the top off. Its not too tough and makes the install much easier.

  PS, the carpet hides lots of mistakes you may make cutting the package tray

  I'm gonna butta yo bread

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  Dec. 6, 2010 8:26 a.m. Slyp_Dawg Reader

  yeah, but not before I discovered I didn't know where my cordless power drill was, and my corded one wouldn't work. hey at least I've got a nice power drill now, and an angle drill attachment, and a foot-long drill bit to drill the holes with. I do still need to put the carpet and corner trim back in, along with the Beatrush redesigned side latches I got. right now, the factory side latches hit the rollbar before they open all the way, and I've got the hard core hardtop M1 bar.

  "We are on the cutting edge of cocking about" Richard Hammond

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