Notices
86-95 Trucks & 4Runners 2nd/3rd gen pickups, and 1st/2nd gen 4Runners with IFS
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

custom "oh crap" bar?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-09-2009, 07:53 AM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
DupermanDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Colorado :-(
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
custom "oh crap" bar?

I've been asking why the fiance hates my rig, and one thing she says is that it's too rough and she gets slammed around a lot since it rides so rough. So I promised her I'd add an "oh crap" (AKA "oh " bar) to the dash where the airbag normally is so she has something to grab on to while I make my turns or go wheeling.

Has anyone done this? Where would be a good place to start for parts? I was thinking of going to the bathroom section of Lowes and picking up a little handrail you can get for old people to get in/out of bathtubs.

Any suggestions? Maybe someone has a better idea.
Old 03-09-2009, 08:00 AM
  #2  
Registered User
 
VSU_4runnin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Valdosta, Ga
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what about putting it on the door, like a bigger handle. I could see one mounted on the airbag panel ending badly
Old 03-09-2009, 08:04 AM
  #3  
Registered User
 
Flash319's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Barrie, Ontario CANADA
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Don't you have the handle on the door pillar already?
Old 03-09-2009, 08:41 AM
  #4  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
DupermanDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Colorado :-(
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by VSU_4runnin
what about putting it on the door, like a bigger handle. I could see one mounted on the airbag panel ending badly
I don't have an air bag, but I'm talking about mounting one typically where the airbag would be located. There's just a flat surface for the dash there.

We have the handle above the door, but she doesnt like reaching upward and I was the one who suggested installing one in the dash like I had on my old silverado. She prefers the rollercoaster feel.
Old 03-09-2009, 08:48 AM
  #5  
Registered User
 
scuba's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 11,338
Received 120 Likes on 59 Posts
If ya dont have an air bag and your woman wants to be picky Id say go for it.
Maybe just hit up a bone yard, and scavenge the handles on your own..
Bake sure to mount them really well as you dont want them coming off as your crawling or something..


Old 03-09-2009, 08:48 AM
  #6  
Registered User
 
881stGenRunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 2,584
Received 7 Likes on 4 Posts
i think that spot would be pretty good, but in the event of an accident that might be pretty dangerous for hte passenger. maybe wrap the crap out of it in some soft material
Old 03-09-2009, 08:53 AM
  #7  
Contributing Member
 
Belize Off Road Team's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Posts: 2,850
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Go grab one from an 80's Land Cruiser.

Last edited by Belize Off Road Team; 03-09-2009 at 08:54 AM.
Old 03-09-2009, 08:53 AM
  #8  
Contributing Member
 
olharleyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: maryland
Posts: 3,607
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Why not get her a 5 point seat belt? That would be easy to make fit and she won't get bounced around almost at all and she will fill like she is strapped into a roller coaster car.

Last edited by olharleyman; 03-09-2009 at 08:55 AM.
Old 03-09-2009, 09:08 AM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Outsane's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
http://www.autotrucktoys.com/jeep/Je...les-C4438.aspx

saw this on my buddies cherokee..
Old 03-09-2009, 09:08 AM
  #10  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
DupermanDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Colorado :-(
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by olharleyman
Why not get her a 5 point seat belt? That would be easy to make fit and she won't get bounced around almost at all and she will fill like she is strapped into a roller coaster car.
Heh, we talked about that yesterday. Went over some railroad tracks too fast and she bumped her head on the roof.

I know the bar can be dangerous if you slam your face into it, so I was thinking of padding it with some foam.
Old 03-09-2009, 09:34 AM
  #11  
Contributing Member
 
olharleyman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: maryland
Posts: 3,607
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I think the bar would be more dangerous then good if she bounces around hitting the r/r tracks to fast just think if you slam the brakes unexpectedly and she go's forward and hits that bar padded or not with her face or chest there will be broken bones to say the least.

The 5 point holds her solid and she won't have the issue's of hitting her head or any other part of her body on anything and if you want her to enjoy the ride I don't think you can get a better solution. Plus she will LOVE YOU LONG TIME next time you go out on the trail.
Old 03-09-2009, 09:41 AM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
DupermanDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Colorado :-(
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I'm just worried the 5 point belt will be uncomfortable for a daily driver and passenger riders.
Old 03-09-2009, 10:42 AM
  #13  
Fossilized
Staff
iTrader: (6)
 
dropzone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: PNW
Posts: 19,771
Received 448 Likes on 293 Posts
I think there is a bar going across the inside of the dash.
I had a removeable and adjustable 'oh oh' bar on one of my old baja bugs with a full cage. It was mounted to the cross bar and could be adjusted to the user. Pull the pin and it was removed and out of the way for daily driver use.
Old 03-09-2009, 01:48 PM
  #14  
Registered User
 
sh0kk86's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 680
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
fix the problem then. doesnt have to ride like a tank.

at least thats my end goal...

'nother tank driver
Old 03-09-2009, 01:57 PM
  #15  
Registered User
 
Junkers88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,371
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
I have to agree with harley here. A 5 point may be the way to go and having an "Oh poop!" bar might cause injury if she's not ready for the movment of the rig. I've had folks in the rig rebound off the dash when not ready for an off camber inpact and if there had been a bar there they might have been really hurt, also with the submarine strap (happy strap for the ladies, OMFG strap for the men) will keep her and you from sliding out of the harness and up under the dash if things get really out of hand.

It comes down to upper body strength vs gravity and motion. A body set in motion will continue to move in said direction until acted upon by another body (or dash), yes that's the extent of my knowledge for today. The best way to illustrate this would be to have your wife jog towards the house, jump when she's 5 feet out and try to stop herself with her arms. She's not going to be able to stop and will probably bounce a little (have a video camera ready and post it for us ).

You could leave the stock seatbelts for DD around town and then use the 5 point when on the trail. That is if they can be made to work with the existing seats, I've never done this so I don't know if it'll work ot not. Heck you could use this as an excuse to buy a set of jump seats with the harnesses installed and swap them out before you go wheeling. It can't take more than what, half an hour to swap seats?

edit: After looking at you signature I was thinking you could make it ride better buy putting some coil helpers in the rear, trust me when I say a flat set of springs makes for a poor ride, and some BJ spacers in the front to level it out. You get lift, ground clearance, better load capacity, a LOT better ride and a happy wife. You could even say you did it all so she'd have more fun on the trail.

Last edited by Junkers88; 03-09-2009 at 02:00 PM.
Old 03-09-2009, 02:00 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
SpecialScottie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sun Valley, CA
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You could grab one out of a suzuki samurai
Old 03-09-2009, 02:08 PM
  #17  
Registered User
 
Gokumono's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Outsane
I know Wranglers have them. At least some, have a friend that goes wheeling with his wrangler, and im always holdin on to that thing, otherwise my head hits the ceiling or everywhere else. lol.
Old 03-09-2009, 03:04 PM
  #18  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
DupermanDave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Northern Colorado :-(
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Junkers88
edit: After looking at you signature I was thinking you could make it ride better buy putting some coil helpers in the rear, trust me when I say a flat set of springs makes for a poor ride, and some BJ spacers in the front to level it out. You get lift, ground clearance, better load capacity, a LOT better ride and a happy wife. You could even say you did it all so she'd have more fun on the trail.
Truck already has a lift (not sure if it's body or a suspension lift) Do you have any vendors you'd recommend for the springs and BJ spacers (coils as well)? New leaf springs were next on my to-do list, but I was uncertain about BJ spacers.
Old 03-09-2009, 03:12 PM
  #19  
Registered User
 
Junkers88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,371
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by DupermanDave
Truck already has a lift (not sure if it's body or a suspension lift) Do you have any vendors you'd recommend for the springs and BJ spacers (coils as well)? New leaf springs were next on my to-do list, but I was uncertain about BJ spacers.
I went with 4crawler spacers. He's spent years developing stuff for Yota's and I trust his product.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/...ntSpacer.shtml

Here is my thread on the ZUK coil mod from his site. The springs are Black Magic off of ebay and they are fantastic for this mod.

Thread.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ks-zuk-157035/

Coil info.
http://www.gearinstalls.com/coilinfo.htm

This is honestly one of the best things I've ever done. The coils in the back take one hell of a load and even with an empty bed they make the ride great. It probably rides better than stock since the coils and leaves share the load. The coils also won't ever sag or lose capacity like leaves will.
Old 03-09-2009, 03:54 PM
  #20  
Banned
iTrader: (-1)
 
waskillywabbit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 3
Received 19 Likes on 9 Posts
Find a new fiance.



Quick Reply: custom "oh crap" bar?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:27 PM.