Watson Roll Bar Installation - Question about cutting GT350R RSD

[jashton]

What's up guys,

I'm going to be finishing up my Watson roll bar install tonight and have been going back and forth on how I'm going to cut my GT350R rear seat delete.

I have a PVC setup to mark the hole location but am concerned about using a hole saw and having it dance around since the cut has to be made at an angle.

For you guys that have done it, how did you cut a clean hole?

I'll add some pictures later.

Update pictures from install:

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[Tomster]

You havnt viewed my HR361 installation? Many chimed in with some very good ideas on how to get the best results.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93015&highlight=Watson+roll+cage

 

[jashton]

You havnt viewed my HR361 installation? Many chimed in with some very good ideas on how to get the best results.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93015&highlight=Watson+roll+cage

I checked every thread including yours but still don't see any mention of what was used to actually cut it? I'm not concerned about locating the points and marking them, I don't see any issue there. I'm trying to decide what I'm going to use to cut the holes without jacking up the panel.

 

[cj428]

I used a hole saw. Had blue tape covering the area where I marked the holes started the saw in straight and then just angled it as you cut to get to slightly oblong hole.

 

[cj428]

Also wrap some blue tape around the holes during final assembly to be careful not to scratch the finish on the tubes.

 

[jashton]

I used a hole saw. Had blue tape covering the area where I marked the holes started the saw in straight and then just angled it as you cut to get to slightly oblong hole.

Thanks for the insight, that's seems like it would work. I'm probably trying to be too exact with it, but that makes the most sense to me so far.

 

[Epiphany]

Watson should sell a black powdercoated or anodized escutcheon plate that would come in two halves that fit together around the bar tubing and that can be tightened with a simple hex bolt and key. It would make for a really clean installation such that your hole doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. I'd have drawn one up and had a few made but alas, my red beast is long gone. Oh Terrance...

 

[Tomster]

Watson should sell a black powdercoated or anodized escutcheon plate that would come in two halves that fit together around the bar tubing and that can be tightened with a simple hex bolt and key. It would make for a really clean installation such that your hole doesn't have to be absolutely perfect. I'd have drawn one up and had a few made but alas, my red beast is long gone. Oh Terrance...

Tob,

I figured you and George would have come up with something by now. Its one of those things that if it was available, I would buy it, and probably everyone else would too. However are there enough people to justify the start up and limited manufacture.....

 

[Tomster]

I checked every thread including yours but still don't see any mention of what was used to actually cut it? I'm not concerned about locating the points and marking them, I don't see any issue there. I'm trying to decide what I'm going to use to cut the holes without jacking up the panel.

A hole saw, of course.....

The one comment that made the most sense was the magnetic telescoping pole to mark the exact spot to cut at the same exact angle as the rear bar. I used a cardboard tube that was an exact ID match to the roll cage OD. However, despite the best effort, it still wasn't perfect.

If the roll cage surface was perpendicular to the tube (exactly) the magnetic telescoping concept would place the dot exactly where the hole saw pilot bit would go. Drill at the exact same angle as mentioned above.

This installation is one of patience. One mistake and the job is messed up. Take your time with it and you will be fine.

 

[DrumReaper]

A 3-D printer could knock that out, couldn’t it?

 

[jashton]

Okay guys, here's a few shots of my completed install, minus the driver seat and harnesses.

This was definitely a time consuming install and I knew it was going to require a lot patience. You really have to be spot on with your measurements or you will be in for a massive headache. I had to enlarge one hole slightly to get one of the driver side brackets to line up perfectly.

I took a lot of extra time making sure any brake lines, fuel lines, wiring harnesses were out of the way. Even still they are still dangerously close to where you are drilling.

Drilling the rear seat delete was easy, but lining up where to drill turned out to be a pain. I tested the PVC and magnetic pickup tool method and decided on the pvc route. I was slightly off on both sides from being dead center and ended up using a dremel with a sanding bit to bore the hole out slightly more on the driver side.

 

[Demonic]

Still looks great even with the holes not being perfect.

 

[Epiphany]

Tob,

I figured you and George would have come up with something by now. Its one of those things that if it was available, I would buy it, and probably everyone else would too. However are
there enough people to justify the start up and limited manufacture.....

As with most anything GT350 related, volume would be relatively low. If the GT500 can use the same Watson bar, and my guess is it could, I may jump on this one down the road.

 

[FordLifer]

I just finished my install of the Watson roll bar and Ford Performance rear seat delete, and I found a solution that I like for the opening around the bars in the rear seat delete. I found some Marine grommets that have a one inch inner diameter, I then trimmed back the rubber to 1.5 inches. They work really well and I think it makes for a cleaner install.

 

[Tomster]

I just finished my install of the Watson roll bar and Ford Performance rear seat delete, and I found a solution that I like for the opening around the bars in the rear seat delete. I found some Marine grommets that have a one inch inner diameter, I then trimmed back the rubber to 1.5 inches. They work really well and I think it makes for a cleaner install.

Part number or link please????

That is a good solution and looks nice

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