I kinda thought the same thing, that this way is easier to do especially for the rear bars and the fuel tank being in the back center.
but as long as it will pass tech im ok with it. I may tie it into the frame later with bolt through plates on both sides of the body and bars welded to the frame to strengthen everything.
I just did not trust my welding skills for the main bars in the cab.

 

It will be nice to be able to leave the door bars off unless you go to the track!

 

I picked up the truck from the shop and threw the interior back in just in time to make it out to the last race weekend at the track i go to. I really like how this roll bar turned out and it fits my current goals perfectly.
I now understand why the builder welded it and built it the way it is. While it is only plated to the body, the bars are in great locations and the plates are welded directly on top of/into the body mounts. In order to tie directly to the frame, the front bars would have to go about 4-6in further forward and the main hoop would have to go about 4-6in further back from the seat.

 

Since i was mostly legal this time i uncapped the exhaust and gave her everything she had. Was able to squeak out a 10.94 @121.9
Im happy with this considering it now weighs about 4000-4100lbs with the roll bar, full tank of gas and me in it.

 

Excellent run and interior looks good!! It's hooking really well with that 1.52 60' as evidence!! No spin! Aren't CalTracs wonderful?? I pretty sure that a 10.94 @ 4100# would be right at 615 HP. Was this on radials (slicks)? How is the frame twist with the new roll bar? Any improvement?

Now I'm sure you know that you will still need to have a racing harness to be legal. Could be a problem with the stock seats unless you do something like I did (photo far below). I recovered mine and installed plastic ports for the shoulder harness in the driver's seat. There is a metal plate that you need to cut through when installing the ports, so you have to remove the upholstery. The ports are two piece. One piece in from the back and one in from the front - then you epoxy or otherwise glue them together to fit your seat thickness.

Here's a link to what I think is the ultimate roll bar paint. Looks so cool. Covers imperfections like welds, etc. Apply with a brush!
Not to tell you what to do - just some ideas! You can see the texture paint in this photo on my door bar. It's like 100% fish eyes and requires no primer. Yes, I did finally get the bottom of the doors finished with carpet that matches the floor.

 

I am loving the calvert setup! Im still running my little 255/60R15 M/T ET Street R Drag radials. She squats a ton on the launch, but it weight transfers great and dead hooks. Im not sure about the twist this time because i did not get any pictures or videos, but it felt about the same.

I love what you did with the seat. Where did you get those belt ports? I have a racing harness in mine just in case they ask, but with the stock seats it just pulls the shoulder straps off my shoulders and is unsafe. So i just run the stock seat belt when racing.

That rust-oleum is actually exactly what i was looking at painting this bar with. That is my next project over the winter. I should have done it before putting the interior back in, but i wanted to race and i only had a few hours to prep the truck and get on the road to the drag strip this time.

 

I love that bar setup! Looks great with the interior setup with it. Is there enough room for rear passengers with that bar? Lol

 

They are 1/2' narrow for the wider belts used in drag racing (they are really for ATV racing/seats), but the belts go through them just fine. Just be aware they are slightly narrow so the belt doesn't lay perfectly flat where it goes through them.

https://blackrhinoperformance.com/sh...rness-inserts/

 

Thanks!
Yep, back seat can still have smaller passengers. I can sit comfortably and im about 5'9" Its getting into the seat that is an issue, you have to crawl through the bars. HAHA
but its perfect for my kids and car seats. They can climb through easily.

 

I got another picture that i thought was cool so i figured id share.
I also figured out that i don't have enough tire under the rear when the prep is not perfect. I went to another local track that does not prep as well and could not get it to hook.
For next year i am looking into a set of 275/60R15 rears and i am going to try them on the factory 7in wide wheels although its not recommended. If they are too wide for my liking then i guess ill have to have a different set of wheels specifically for racing because i love the stock look on the street.