Hard Dog Head Protection

[cwisenheimer]

I recently installed a Hard Dog Sport DD rollbar in my 2002. I also got the Hard Dog padding and cover to go with. While SFI padding is great for helmet-to-rollbar contact, it's still pretty hard for bare head-to-rollbar contact. I'm tall enough that could be an issue in a rear-end collision (and I've lost two Miatas that way).

I'm not ready to take the foamectomy route yet. Has anybody found a reasonably nice padding solution? I was thinking about attaching an additional, larger flat pad (maybe 7" tall oval) to the front of the roll bar or head rest to allow the seat and roll bar to share the load of a head impact. Maybe get some sheet padding, cover it in upholstery fabric, etc. Thoughts, anybody?

[Vashthestanbeto]

I've considered adding high density foam atop the SFI padding for additional cushioning, which will in theory, act like progressive rate springs and diffuse the impact better, but I've yet to actually attempt it.

Higher seat back is always another option, I got my corbeau A4 seats largely for that reason, they also recline and have a fairly "mild" look if you wish the car's interior to retain a more street car appearance/function.

[Jiggerachi]

If someone knew of the gray pipe insulation stuff with diameter big enough to fit over the bar+padding id like to know as well. My man concern was uv damage to the sfi padding. I didnt want to pay for the leather cover, but my ghetto vinyl/zip tie solution leaves a lot to be desired.

[sammm]

The SFI padding is extra dense for a reason...it won't crack your head open. Pipe insulation and/or pool-noodle type padding is much more likely to.

[Jiggerachi]

Right. You definitley dont want to lose the sfi. You want something to cover the sfi, well I do anyway. Might create more headroom problems though.

Honestly, if your tall, do the foamectomy first. Youll apreciate the extra ass hugging you get. Dont do a hack job and you can put the foam back later.

dont know where your located, but your welcome to come sit in my seat. Ive probably got the most extreme foamectomy possible on the oem seat frame.

[modernbeat]

Do the foamectomy.

Scared of it? Come to Propwash next week and I'll bet you can find a few 2001+ seats with foamectomies to try out.

[cwisenheimer]

I wish I could come to Propwash. I had planned on it but I'm going to a family wedding instead. You guys will forgive me but my relatives wouldn't.

I normally have my seat all the way back and it fits under the bar so a taller seat wouldn't work. I suppose foamectomy is the way to go, just hoped somebody had a different solution.

Jigger, I'm in SW FW. I may take you up on that test-sit, although I'd prefer to try a 2001+ version.

[Rob®]

I used a cheap generic Jeep rollbar padding and vinyl cover "kit" to go over my HD padding. Was like $20 and has held up since I put the bar in (2003). The very corners wore through a little bit from the top, but you could probably shave those spots down a tiny bit before installing the cover. It makes the bar look beefy as hell, I kind of laugh when I see uncovered bars since I'm used to how big mine looks. Could get pics if anyone cares.

[sammm]

If you're looking for a foam-ectomy to test fit, track down farphle. I used to own his '92, and that was some of my finest foam-ecto-mizing!

[Jiggerachi]

Post pics please. Im curious of the vinyl kit. I have loose vinyl & zipties, it looks ok but cant last very long.

I used a cheap generic Jeep rollbar padding and vinyl cover "kit" to go over my HD padding. Was like $20 and has held up since I put the bar in (2003). The very corners wore through a little bit from the top, but you could probably shave those spots down a tiny bit before installing the cover. It makes the bar look beefy as hell, I kind of laugh when I see uncovered bars since I'm used to how big mine looks. Could get pics if anyone cares.

[Rob®]

Will get some in the morning. The kit I used came with leather/pleather string to stitch it closed along its length.

[onething]

Jigger come sit in my car. 2001 with foamectomy. I am no where near as tall as you and did it for better support and more comfort.

[Rob®]

Well first, a correction (happens when you have no reason to look at things for 10 years): it uses regular string to tie it, not leather/pleather strapping like I thought.









The white spot just to the left of the left diagnol brace is bird poop, not a worn spot, just FYI



Close up of the rubbing damage on the driver's side:




Close up of the passenger side damage - much worse than the driver's side (and worse than I remember):


General idea of how it's stitched together (keep in mind it's been on the car since 2003 - the stitch holes were NOT stretched like that when I first installed it):


A picture a friend took shortly after I installed the padding IIRC. It was at least fairly close since that Z meet was in the spring of 2004, shortly after I sold mine and bought this car:




Like I said, it is just a generic roll bar cover kit thing from like JEGS or somewhere for $20 (probably more than that nowadays). I couldn't stand how it looked with just the HD padding on it, so I bought this kit figuring that if it looked terrible I was just out $20 and some time. It's certianly not the cleanest looking thing, or install, but I thought it made the car look a lot less girlie, so I left it and haven't regretted it. I won't be around your area for a few weeks, but I'd be happy to swing by for a minute once things settle if you care enough to see it in person.

[cwisenheimer]

Jigger come sit in my car. 2001 with foamectomy. I am no where near as tall as you and did it for better support and more comfort.

Onsie,

That was me, not Jigger. I'm tied up this weekend so I'm not doing car things, but I'll get in touch with you soon for a test-sit. Thanks for the offer!