behind seat bulkhead removal

[bezzabsa]

apologies if its been asked before, but how hard a job is it, and what do i need to replace the strength lost when its removed?
cheers

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

I'm interested in this as well - I know you can buy a bar to replace the strength.  Anyone done it in a Series?

[Tigger]

Series isn't much different to a 90 in this respect...



Not a particularly massive / difficult job to be honest

[dave_2A_2.25Turbo]

Any idea how much the bars are, Tim? (I take it D44 sell them?)

[Tigger]

They are just under 75 quid.

That set is fitted to a 90 body, but I'm reasonably sure they should go on a Series tub without too much trauma

[bezzabsa]

excuse the ignorance, but couldnt a fabricated bar be fitted from side to side at about capping height? surely that would do the same job? obviously fitted slightly further back than the bulkhead was??

[tomarse]

If you have a hardtop on you could just do away with the bulkhead and i'd imagine that the roof would keep it rigid..

Though I cant imagine it being that much of a problem if you just chopped it away on a ragtop. Ive got an ex-mil seatbelt mounting bar on mine which goes across my rear tub.

I've been tempted just to chop mine out down to the level of the rear side seatboxes and see what happens.

[hobbit]

The strength is in the chassis more than the body, dont forget these tubs are aluminium, as long as you dont fill thehtub with something to bow the sides out, my v8 lightweight has this removed and has no probs or any effect on it everything still looks straight

[bezzabsa]

so basically its to stop the passengers / cargo shooting through!
great , now where did i put that grinder  :twisted:

[muddyweb]

The biggest issue isn't "normal" use, but when the thing is off-road or (heaven forbid) in an accident.   The bulkhead adds a surprising amount of rigidity to the body.

As another option, you could get a handrail bar from a 109 Station Wagon, which will add a bit of strength back in

[Miniman]

I am with you on that one Tim. Dont just cut it out and think its ok. Its there for a reason. They also fit the bars for a reason. If you rolled it you would have no chance at all. Yes fabricate a bar of your own and make sure your welds are good. As for a accident you may find that your insurance is VOID. They are looking for anything to get out of a payout now. EVEN SPOT LIGHTS.....