The instructions say to cut two holes in the front of the side trim panels. These allow easier access to the bolts that hold the bar in place, but are not necessary. Here are some tips on the install:
Buy a CDC light bar from Haney Motorsports, steeda, or saleen. Personally I recommend Haney Motorsports. Get their automatic shut off swicth for the new brake light too.
If you ever plan on upgrading your rear speakers, buy them too and do it at the same time. The bar will have to come out again next time you want to get to them.
Have a cooler of beer with you at all times. I cant stress the importance of this part of the install enough.
The vinyl that covers the bar is very thin and can get damaged easily by rubbing against things. Leave it in its plastic wrap until the last minute and be really careful with it.
Slide the front seats as far forward as they go and lean them forward. Then flip down the windshield visor things and wedge them against the headrests of the seats to hold the seats of the way.
I actually didnt bother removing the seatbelts although it would be slightly more convenient, I just didnt have the tools. I pulled them out all the way and looped them over the seats.
Press the two white retainers under the rear seat and pop it out. Undo the bolts and back part slides up and out. Now pull the side panels out. I laid them in the middle of the back seat because I still had the seatbelts going through em.
Pay attention to the instructions about which bracket goes on which B pillar. I remember it wasnt very clear in my instructions. Pop rivet them in place per the instructions.
Cut the hole in the top of the trim for the bar to go through per the diagrams. Its pretty easy. I used the hole saw to get a hole in there, and then just a stanley knife to cut the exact shape. I sanded the edges quickly to make sure nothing would ever tear the vinyl.
Dont cut the two round holes in the front of the trim. Instead, loosely fit the side panel back into place and get a friend to help drop the bar into position. At this point before the trim is secured, you can reach in from the side of the trim if you are sitting outside of the door , and get an allen wrench onto the bolts. The trim is fairly flexible, but edges could cut you hands up. I guess you could wear a glove but I was fine. Just tighten the bolts from there and secure the trim. Its that easy, there no need to cut those ugly holes in the front and then plug them with the supplied pieces.
I recommend removing the seatbelt guide loops immediately because they can damage the vinyl on the bar very easily. I didnt know what I was doing so I grabbed a bit with some pliers and undid the screws the held them on. Worked fine, but was a PITA. If its easy to remove the headrests, that would be much better.
The Haney Motorsports switch was really easy to put in place. Just tap the right wire (I think mine was green...?) and plug it in.
Heres a pic of the bar in place without the holes in the front of the trim or seatbelt guides...
Buy a CDC light bar from Haney Motorsports, steeda, or saleen. Personally I recommend Haney Motorsports. Get their automatic shut off swicth for the new brake light too.
If you ever plan on upgrading your rear speakers, buy them too and do it at the same time. The bar will have to come out again next time you want to get to them.
Have a cooler of beer with you at all times. I cant stress the importance of this part of the install enough.
The vinyl that covers the bar is very thin and can get damaged easily by rubbing against things. Leave it in its plastic wrap until the last minute and be really careful with it.
Slide the front seats as far forward as they go and lean them forward. Then flip down the windshield visor things and wedge them against the headrests of the seats to hold the seats of the way.
I actually didnt bother removing the seatbelts although it would be slightly more convenient, I just didnt have the tools. I pulled them out all the way and looped them over the seats.
Press the two white retainers under the rear seat and pop it out. Undo the bolts and back part slides up and out. Now pull the side panels out. I laid them in the middle of the back seat because I still had the seatbelts going through em.
Pay attention to the instructions about which bracket goes on which B pillar. I remember it wasnt very clear in my instructions. Pop rivet them in place per the instructions.
Cut the hole in the top of the trim for the bar to go through per the diagrams. Its pretty easy. I used the hole saw to get a hole in there, and then just a stanley knife to cut the exact shape. I sanded the edges quickly to make sure nothing would ever tear the vinyl.
Dont cut the two round holes in the front of the trim. Instead, loosely fit the side panel back into place and get a friend to help drop the bar into position. At this point before the trim is secured, you can reach in from the side of the trim if you are sitting outside of the door , and get an allen wrench onto the bolts. The trim is fairly flexible, but edges could cut you hands up. I guess you could wear a glove but I was fine. Just tighten the bolts from there and secure the trim. Its that easy, there no need to cut those ugly holes in the front and then plug them with the supplied pieces.
I recommend removing the seatbelt guide loops immediately because they can damage the vinyl on the bar very easily. I didnt know what I was doing so I grabbed a bit with some pliers and undid the screws the held them on. Worked fine, but was a PITA. If its easy to remove the headrests, that would be much better.
The Haney Motorsports switch was really easy to put in place. Just tap the right wire (I think mine was green...?) and plug it in.
Heres a pic of the bar in place without the holes in the front of the trim or seatbelt guides...
