Window Nets

Beyer · Aug 10, 2008

School me. Where? What kind? What to watch out for?
Thinking about getting some for the buggy and I know **** about them or how they mount. :dunno:

My buddy took a flipped-up log to the hand yesterday and it cut his finger open. It was an eye opener, especially since my little one rides in the buggy on a regular basis.

Welderd · Aug 10, 2008

I think I found my at summit or speedway and I really like them.

they are black outline with white rope in the center - doesn't obstruct the view as much and the white "appears" to be more invisible

InDaShop · Aug 10, 2008

For just a few dollars more Mastercraft will make them for you to fit.
$120 for both of mine.
I cut out the pattern to the shape of my window area in cardboard.
Folded it in half, taped it addressed right on the template and mailed.
You can get the ribbon style like I run or the mesh style like quite a few run. The ribbon doesn't really impead my vision when racing. But on a trail rig I'd say the mesh might be better, but I just don't know.

Now for mounting. Mastercraft will build them for any style you want. I went with grommets along the top and welded tabs to my header tube and through bolted it. So they swing up on top of the rig.
The fastener on the bottom, I used the Speedway kit hook latch kit, but cut the rod off, used a longer rod for my application and repositioned the latch on the rod a bit.

A lot of guys use the quick release drop mounts. But I didn't want the net always laying in my lap, or have to drag my ass over it when getting in and out.

Todd at XRRA tech told me my mount setup was one of the best and safest he's seen.

BamaTJ · Aug 10, 2008

Wyatt, what is the best setup that can be removed from the vehcile easiest? I need them for the LCQ and XRRA Gray Rock, but don't want to run them on the trails. Which fastner method would be best for that?

InDaShop · Aug 10, 2008

Ok, I'm at home now and can throw down a bit more info.

The standard stock car size is 18" x 24". You can get these for cheap $20 each, so $40 for a pair. Speedway, Summit, Jegs

If you can make that size cover your windows then you're golden. There has been A LOT of lieniancy in XRRA on window nets in my opinion. I believe the net needs to cover the window opening, and leave no margin of error for a hand or helmet to get past.

This is an example of a window net that I think is technically doing its job on paper and has passed tech to race, but if called on for use, it will fail, and you risk injury. This would not pass tech is on a stock car, roundy round, etc.

Here are mine. Maybe mine are overkill. But not only will my appendiges stay in the car, they will keep everything out. Like a big rock if you flopped onto it, and it wanted to protrude through the window. I tabbed the top bar and bolted it, the bottom is the Speedway latch mount kit.

You can kinda see mine is this pick of Bones that Nolen took. The tabs and bolts on top, and you can see a small hole at the base of my "B" pillar. That is were the bottom rod sticks into. On the front of the bottom rod is the latch mechanism.

Now I really like the type that Bigelow, Campbell, and the Shirleys use. Its a mesh style that is affixed at the bottom, and when you put it in to race you raise it and lock it in. I think its springloaded, and when you grab it, its drops out of the way. So getting out in an emergency is FAST.

Matt what one is best for only using every now and then? I dont have the answer, I'm thinking on mine I will leave the front and rear top tabs, and cut off the other three. Then drill a piece of flat stock and mount it to the top of my net so it stays up and rigid. And I wont be hitting those middle tabs with my head getting in and out..... I dont know. But I'd look at the style those guys have on their moonbuggy's They may only work on moonbuggys because there is some distance between the driver and the side in a single seat application..... I dont know.

BamaTJ · Aug 10, 2008

I guess my real question is which will be the least noticeable when removed? I don't want to mount something for a race or two, then pull it out and have a bunch of tabs and latches in my way. Hope that makes sense. I have looked the Mastercraft site some and they have tons of different fastners to choose from, just don't know which would work for me since I don't plan to leave them in all the time

InDaShop · Aug 10, 2008

Matt thats a hard compromise.
I like having mine, I roll them up and ziptie them in place. They dont flap around when not in use. But when its time to get serious bust the ties and latch on!

On mine when they are not in place and I remove the three mid tabs and mount a bar on the net itself. You'll only see a tab on either corner at the top, and one at the bottom front for the latch. Errrrrrr, thats my plan anyhow.....

Beyer · Aug 11, 2008

Yeah, I would like to avoid tabs as much as possible as i do not want anything more for myself, wife, or daughter to get hung on getting in or out. I think I might run them all of the time after last weeknd, not sure until I try them though.

InDaShop · Aug 11, 2008

Matt you're going to XRRA Championship in Jellico right? Look over all of those and come up with one you like best. Ask the crew or driver, and where they got the pieces, and rock out.

Welderd · Aug 11, 2008

I've got a standard net and speedway's spring loaded mount kit

don't know if you can see it here

there's 2 tabs that are up top and have a hole that the rod spring loads into, just pull back on a little handle and it drops out of the way
the bottom mount is just a flat AL bar that came with the mount kit. I drilled 2 holes in it for small bolts and added 2 tabs to mount the bottom bar with weld nuts on the back. 2 bolts and they are gone and I was sure to make the tabs out of the way and flush for entry and exit.

I didn't think that I would run them except in competition but they make me feel so safe and are so easy that I'll probably just use them all the time

Beyer · Aug 11, 2008

Do they have nets that can wrap around the lower bar and then have quick disconnects on the upper bar? :dunno:

Bones · Aug 11, 2008

Wyatts are pimp as ****. Only thing I don't like is the tabs can be melon poakers if you do not have a lid on and something happens. Hell even getting out you have to watch yourself.

Beyer · Aug 11, 2008

Bones said:
Wyatts are pimp as ****. Only thing I don't like is the tabs can be melon poakers if you do not have a lid on and something happens. Hell even getting out you have to watch yourself.

That is what I want to avoid if possible.

muchado · Aug 11, 2008

what about drilling the tubing and welding in bungs/trick tabs?

OK so I bet y'all will nix that because it weakens it.. OK how about getting some larger OD, chopping it in half, (or 1/4's and having a strip with trick tabs welded into that? then weld that to the roofline.. that couldn't weaken it.

Bones · Aug 11, 2008

MUCHADO said:
what about drilling the tubing and welding in bungs/trick tabs?

OK so I bet y'all will nix that because it weakens it.. OK how about getting some larger OD, chopping it in half, (or 1/4's and having a strip with trick tabs welded into that? then weld that to the roofline.. that couldn't weaken it.

Good idea buckeroo

Welderd · Aug 11, 2008

make sure to check mine out over labor day

lower tabs parrallel with tube and flush
upper ones are nice and round and tucked up in corners away from the noggin

BamaTJ · Aug 11, 2008

Wyatt I was thinking I need to check out the guys at XRRA Finals and see what they are running

Woodlee · Aug 13, 2008

I am going to put them in any buggy I build from now on. They are just safe to have. I will mount them so they fold down by the seat and floor board out of the way but can be used any time. The way we are driving faster and taking harder impacts all the way around we have to keep safety in our minds all the time.

After driving a rig with them it is a good safe feeling to have that net there. It just eases your mind and lets you worry more about GETIN IT.

Matt just try to mount them clean and where they can be out of the way but easily used when you want them. If they are not easily used then you won't use them.