My targa brace

[Rajunz]

Great job WeezL, it looks awesome. I would re-consider building these out of aluminum, consider what would happen in a hard crash..............

too bad you couldnt design one so that targa could go on top of it...

i agree with a previous poster that if its possible to have the targa fit over it without removing it

I bought one from Kyle Simpson when he did his group buy. It mounts under the roof line so that it is permanantly mounted, the Targa does fit on without removing the bar. I really like the fact that it is a permenant structure. The downside is that it takes up about 4 inches of headroom, but I'm only 5'-8" tall so it's no big deal. Also, I had to cut openings in both the front and rear head panels then re-upholster them, which was quite a task.

 

[JoeC]

Pete it was nice meeting you at your house and at the meet. Any ways, I hope I can get one aswell but right now I am really tight on money trying to rebuild my bottom end. Though if the price is right I might have to borrow some from my brother.

 

[Facime]

sooo, da Bu1ld3r is Eugene?:icon_bigg Not that it matters, but my guestion
did you make any drawings too? I mean with measurments?

I made a scale drawing of the measurements between mount points and depths of things yes. From there I made a cardboard template (but I admit my template making skills suck...I got work on that) At that point I gave the drawing and the template to the builder to "interpret" and...well...I let him have free reign to solve any issues that came up. When I went down there for final fit and assembly we discovered some issues in the design and solved them as we put it together. After a couple of days to reflect on the design and a couple of brainstorm sessions later we came up with the plans for the second generation "WeezLWings" which is what were working on getting made for the group buy. Also because the scale of the project went from a "one off" to a small production run, we ramped up the manufacturing process to include laser cut pieces instead of hand cut with a plasma torch.

So to answer your question, yes I made drawings and such, but we are far beyond those at this point.

 

[Jspec7m88]

:nono:...It's beautiful...too bad I'm hardtop.......

I'm assuming this prevents the horrible "flex" in the body that is produced when driving?

 

[Facime]

I would re-consider building these out of aluminum, consider what would happen in a hard crash....

Can you please explain to "metal ignoramous" like me why aluminum would be better in a crash than steel?


And as far as mounting under the targa, I understand all the arguements for that, but I still stand behind the idea that my bar is intended to "replace" the targa, and not be permanently attached. Also I didnt like the idea of having to modify the interior to allow for it. And one final note: I am already in the design phase of a solution to the "having your cake and eating it too" issue. I am taking an idea someone at the Portland meet gave me and moving forward on it. I dont want to give away the surprise yet...just know that in the near future, those who buy one of these bars will have the option of putting a roof over their heads at the same time.

 

[ValgeKotkas]

So to answer your question, yes I made drawings and such, but we are far beyond those at this point.

Too bad, soo sad:icon_razz . Then if I would like to have one, I need to think out and measure everything myself:icon_mad: Happens:icon_bigg

 

[Satan]

So when can I order mine....!?!?!?

I'd like it so that I could also keep it on while the targa is on and/or so that it will fit in the back where the targa sits.

I'm ready to see the final options and if it helps with a decision towards what I want, I can probably order 10+ (based on final cost).

Thanx,
Elvis

 

[bigal0043]

cool cant wait to see what you come up with

 

[dirtlord420]

yeah i dont want to miss out either.

 

[Facime]

yeah i dont want to miss out either.

I promise you NO ONE will miss out. I'll keep having these made until no one will buy em anymore. It just might take a while if your like 60th in line...lol

 

[Facime]

One thing that might be worth considering with any possible design changes is in the rear mounts, implementing a way to use the stock bolts, springs and E-clips locked into the brace just as they are on the Targa itself. the parts are cheap new from Toyota and therefor no loose bolts to loose or anything. Its a fairly simple tubular structure, or even better peices can be bought form toyota also and can be bolted or welded to the brace.

Well guys (and gals?) this is not gonna happen at least not with stock toyota parts. The bracket that the nut/spring/clip goes into is $31.37/each (x2) adding WAY to much cost to the project. Also there are only 3 available in the state of Oregon, and needing 40 of them for the first run is NOT gonna happen! I'll keep woking on the idea and see if we can replicate the system in some way. Im sure I can figure something out, we wouldnt want anyone to lose their nuts! :naughty:

 

[CTsupra]

And one final note: I am already in the design phase of a solution to the "having your cake and eating it too" issue. I am taking an idea someone at the Portland meet gave me and moving forward on it. I dont want to give away the surprise yet...just know that in the near future, those who buy one of these bars will have the option of putting a roof over their heads at the same time.

...ANNNNNNND WE HAVE A WINNAR!!!!!

Ok, i'll buy one now
Count me in.

 

[gp-7mgte]

Im in for a group buy, looks sweet.

 

[speed]

you sir have a PM.

 

[Satan]

....forget about everyone else's nuts....:biglaugh:

Anyways here are my targa bars (Dean Marcum's groupbuy, I think). The attached pics show the bolt (which uses the stock targa tool) for the back, and the nut that used with the stock bolts up front. I keep them together like this, whenever I take them off the car.

There's a washer/holder there that's been keeping things in place (I've not had to replace any of the hardware).

For pennies, you could even give the buyers extra hardware (including the bolt-holder deal)... maybe they can get the option to purchase a second set of hardware (if they're that worried).

Just need the holes to be right and line up.... you can get the hardware just about anywhere. Hell, my sister is a salesperson for a manufacturer/supplier of nuts & bolts.... I might be able to do sumthin' for ya....

 

[Facime]

Yeah Satan, I dropped off my bar back at the builders so he could get started on the jig and templates, and we discussed the bolt situation and he said it wont be any problem to have the bolts stay integrated into the bar. There will be an acorn nut tacked to the front mount location, and the back mount will have an allen bolt (or whatever they are called) spring and clip just like the stock roof.

Also, Im going to impose a 1 bar per person limit for at least the first round of 20. I dont think it would be fair to have people buy more than one and leave some people getting none. But like I said I will have as many made as people want, but you will likely have to wait a few runs to order a quantity of 5-10.
It's just me and my builder making these and he has a regular full time job as well.

 

[Rajunz]

Can you please explain to "metal ignoramous" like me why aluminum would be better in a crash than steel?............

I don't think aluminum would be a wise choice from a safety standpoint. In a severe crash that structure would probably fail and afterall it's only inches from the driver's head.
Think Liability!

Without regurgitating alot of BS, aluminum usually requires 50% or more thickness to have the same "strength-equivalent" as steel. Aluminum requires larger welded joints for them to be as strong, usually gusseted. Most of all steel will deflect alot more than aluminum before reaching it's point of fatigue, thus allowing it to absorb alot more energy than aluminum.

An easy way to think of it is pound per pound an aluminum structure would be stronger than steel, but think of how much larger that structure would have to be.

Once again, great job on the WeezL Wings, this is a much needed part for the community and props to you for coming up with a solution. I'll send a few friends to this link and I'm sure they'll have to have one.

 

[Insidious Surmiser]

I promise you NO ONE will miss out. I'll keep having these made until no one will buy em anymore. It just might take a while if your like 60th in line...lol

all i care about is that i have a chance to buy one

 

[SupraDreamPDR]

Great looking product... waiting for the pix of the GenII.

 

[xarewhyayen]

Ill definately be checking every day for the start of the GB thread so i can be right up top of the first 20 list. I was 2nd to reply to this original post so hopefully i can catch #2 on the GB list .