this got started in another thread, but i thought i was a really good idea so i went for it -- its still somewhat crude (no grommets for the rear deck yet, and those darn tabs are visible) so its more a work-in-progress, but here it is. i can give installation details if anyone's interested... total cost: $285 from the local dealer (2 bars, 4 grommets).

 

Interesting. I assume the grommets fill the opening around each roll bar? What are the tabs for?

 

You know, I thought it sounded dumb, but to my surprise, I like it!
Looks good.

 

one question...why?

 

why not...

 

Why? It looks like a wannabe roadster! You could have a canvas or vinyl top glued on too!

 

Gorgeous, honestly didn't think it would look good, but i was proved wrong. Post some instructions when everything is done.

 

Sweet dude... good way to take an idea and run with it... I can't wait to see the finished product.

 

the bars actually come with six of the tabs; if you look at my cutout you can see the extra slot i had to make to fit the extra tabs through.

the good: the mounting points, amazingly, are THERE in the car already. there are four holes below the rear deck that line up perfectly for the roll bars.

the bad: you'll need pipe cutters to remove about the last four inches off the bar (including the bottom-most tab), because the bar is actually too tall to fit in with the roof in the way. ten minutes with a pipe cutter, or a hacksaw will get the job done.

the ugly: the visible tabs (rrrrr) aren't visible on the roadster because the roadster's rear deck comes up that much higher to cover them. i'm still brainstorming what to do with them. i can't move the tabs BELOW the deck because then the bars would be much lower than the seat. i may try and lower them so the tabs 'rest' on the rear deck. we'll see...

 

pictures always help...

 

You could always whack the tab off with a saw and grind the weld down. You probably would have to have them powder coated to hide the grind marks but that might not be such a bad thing either since you could have them in any color you want.

Alternatively, you could look at getting a set fabricated to have tabs just where you want/need them. You could then have hem sent out for powder coating or chrome as well.

 

i was thinking of that too. i tested out the bottom tabs that i cut off already and i grinded off the tabs, but after i was all done a body guy would still have to do some work to get it presentable. its such a visible part of the car! i was hoping i could get creative and think of some other use for them instead of cutting them off (they are powdercoated after all)... still thinking --

 

grommets are on BTW. now the only thing left to play with is the tabs...

 

hey buddy i have 04 crossfire coupe kind interesting of putting sport bar on min give me instruction pls thanks

 

looks like an Auditt, lol

 

I like What about cutting off the tabs and installing some type of nice inserts to cover up the cut? You may be able to extend it down to act as a grommet as well.
Either that or use some roll bar padding...or make a cross bar bolted with some nice chrome hardware. Now you got me thinking of a new winter project

If you get a chance, can you make a drawing with some precise measurements to make a template for the cutout. Thanks

BTW the accessory chrome bars for the SLK don't appear to have those tabs

 

Hummm? I would remove those tabs and have them chromed.

 

theres nothing else on the car thats chromed; its all 'aluminum' -- chrome would look out of place, unless i went and did alot of chrome (wheels, mirrors, windshield header, etc.)

BTW, since this thread last had a post ('05, wow) ive cleaned up the bars, got rid of the tabs and they look 100% better

 

pretty cool; i like the stainless plate that would hide my drilling. the grommets are good, but not perfect --

 

That is COOL! Thinking about doing mine with the Mercedes Bar. Way to use your imagination. The sky is the limit