1976 Chevy Camaro TigerCage Install - Tight As A Drum - PHR Project Car

Now the mounting flange fits perfectly inside the package tray cover, andsandwiches the package tray to the box below, for a nice cosmetic appearance. Note that no large holes needed to be sawed into the package tray-only small drill holes for the fasteners.

The trunk bars have the reinforcing box at one end at the package tray, and 304 stainless steel plates where they sandwich the trunk floor at the rear framerails. A plate of 3/16-inch-thick 1020 steel sandwiches the trunk floor on opposite sides of the frame from beneath.

All the clamps for the TigerCage are investment cast in the USA out of 304 grade stainless steel. Air Ride tells us this was very expensive, but worth it. Air Ride has tested the clamp collars past 450 lb-ft of rotational torque. The pivot connections for side bars and seat belt bars can resist over 250 lb-ft of torque.

It's important that the door bars be done last to properly locate the front mounting brackets. Up to this point, all clamps, brackets, and tabs are tightened loosely, so they may move. The clamps and pivot tabs can only be assembled one way, or they won't fit.

Technically, the seat belt bar and four-point harnesses are optional, however, the TigerCage forces permanent removal of the stock lap and shoulder belts when side bars are used. That means the seat belt bar really isn't optional. Note how the belt retractor nacelle on the roof is now gone.

Earlier, we didn't show how the hoop brackets were indexed and drilled with the carpet removed, but it's the same for these side bar brackets. Once the holes are established, the carpet is put back, and a punch is used to poke the holes through the carpet, so the bracket can be on top.