building a cage over the summer, need advice and top view

[rocklandxjer]

hey guys,

i've been contemplating cutting off the top of the jeep and caging her fully. [though only from the a pillars back to start with, i just want this to be something to build off. dont worry, im from New York so i dont have to worry so much about horrible rolls... like rolling down lions back..]

anyway, i DO want it to be strong, and i want it to stop the tortion of the body when flexing [since there will be no roof and the pillars will be cut.

ive decided on a design much like C-roks, as my idea for a convertable came directly from that one.

right now i only have a SKETCH of the side view, no dimensions right now, but i have them in locations that i know where they are on the old heep, so realistically they would only change minimally.

i need a top view of a cherokee that i could use in autodesk autocad [though paint would do fine, its just a sketch for now...]

the top will look SIMILAR to this, though im contemplating making a boxed in section for the light switches, dome lights, and temp guage. so it would run from the front to a little past the middle, pertruding about 4" on each side of the center line.

the top will be a soft top. my friends father makes the soft tops for boats, so i can get him to whip something up with some plastic windows and such.

what do you think? is this a good start.
i still have to research what size/type i will use. im leaning towards DOM, but i still have some reading to do about what size, there are tons of threads on here about it... :read:

id just like some constructive criticism, feel free to say what you like, dont like, or hate. and again, if anyone has a top view of a chero for windows paint or autodesk autocad, id MUCH appreciate it.

Thanks
Travis

 

[conway4x4]

Could you email me the CAD file? I would like to play around with it. I'm in the same boat as you. I would like to mill over it awhile befor I finally do it.

[email protected]

Thanks!

I would like this look one day, brings back memories!

 

[rocklandxjer]

sent.

 

[Goatman]

sent.

I think you should have a cross bar at the top of the B pillar, then diagonals off of that to the front and rear, rather than just one X on the top.


BTW, we're having a membership drive.

 

[rocklandxjer]

yea, thats definately a much better idea. il have to sketch that up if i find a top view. DEFINATELY would seem much stronger.

still 17... youll see the name in red in mayparty1:

 

[rocklandxjer]

eh.. heres a quick sketch...

im not sure if i want the last two braces going right to the anchor at D,

or diagonally from that point to the frame rail between C and D. [but parallel to the C pillar, if you can picture that...

what do you guys think?

edit: of course, gussets would be added throughout, this was a quick sketch to get a general idea
i labeled the dash, so that you could see the bar that will follow its contour, and i labeled the diamond steel plate. [this will be sort of a visor thatwill be built off of the halo so that i can make proper water proofing...], and teh console is what i mentioned before, with the switches, dome lights, and temp guage]