Chop top and cage buildup

[Xtrm Jeepr]

Well the tear down and chop has nearly been finished.

Ive been trying to make a preliminary design of how I want to build my cage now that the Jeeps topless. My plans are to build an exo type front cage to protect the front body and engine compartment. Included in this is tubing that will wrap around the fender well and tie into the the tube rockers and front bumper. I have drawn in more supports between the tube around the fender well and the tube near the top of the hood than I am going to use. I plan on using three instead of the five that are shown.

As for the roll cage itself I am designing it based off a picture I found from FullsizeXJ from a cage he built for an Explorer and the rear of the cage found on the pic with the CJ.

My biggest question at this point besides the overall design is, the traingulation between both sides of the B and C pillars. I am planning on putting in four bucket seats with four point harnesses and my question is should the X run from top corner to bottom corner, and run a tube across horizontally at the appropriate level for the four point harness to tie in where ever that may be once the seats are in, or is how the pictures have the tubes placed sufficient for triangulation??? As for the rear of the cage I'm going to make it similar to the one on the CJ pictured, but want a halo type around the rears that sticks out a little past the top of the Y on each corner. I'm also going to be building a similar type tire carrier into the cage. I will also be building a platie to wrap around the rear and side corners, and will also be using a tube to wrap around the fender well from rear bumper to rockers, and will also tie the tube into the plate. The front and rear will be angled in more that what is seen in the pictures.

Basically I'm asking you to critique my cage drawings and maybe render some of your own designs. You all can flame away with the different colors used, I wanted you to get the basic idea where each piece of indivudual tubing would run and see if that is sufficient. I have a feeling this will be a long buildup since I'm only working on it about one day a week. Have as much fun as you want, and thanks for your help in advance.

Heres what I've drawn up so far.

 

[Jump This]

Although I like all the different colors, I'm thinking you will want to use something a bit larger than 1/4" tubing.

 

[Jump This]

Okay, some honest input;

First, change your screen name...exstream this and exstream that...bah!

Your A pillar design appears to be rather vertical, doesn't it?
Look at a picture of Goatman's cage....

I have no idea why people put so much metal behind the back seats...
Look at a picture of my cage.
Watch your shoulder width when building your cage.
Take a look at RobertK's cage.
Your horizontal supports behind the seats should be just a couple of inches below your shoulder line, do not compromise on that.
Here is one for you, use the stock seat mounts (to be more exact, use the adjustable [slider] part and build a better foundation for that. I have seen a few that installed the seat solidly...unless you are the only one driving it, it will suck for the little lady when you need to spot. Do not mount your seat belts to the seat mount! (I saw that on one rig and bitch slapped the dumb ass who built it!)
Buy all your metal yesterday....the price is flying right now (it should come down after the Olympics.)

You will run into many situations while you build, just remember there is a reason for the cage, don't compromise on that.

I'll bust your chops some more as you post pictures of your build!

 

[bigjeepman]

It just looks like a lot of tube to me. Almost making weight a factor. I am not really inputting anything important. Moreover watching to see how this goes as I placed my order for tube with BrianHo13 last week.

 

[RWKHausSupply]

All I can say is good luck with rear seat passangers being taller then about 5'8"ish. Take a look at my rig. I was only able to put one seat in teh mid back. unless you make the tube top taller then about 6" more then stock top is/was. Its doable but not very functional or pretty haha...

Might as well cut some more off too...

And dont get to crazy with all that ube. only funtional design work is needed, not abundance of tube...

 

[hellbilly04]

Why would he want to use tube bigger than 1/4" Rick? Isn't that what you used for your new steering set up

Although I like all the different colors, I'm thinking you will want to use something a bit larger than 1/4" tubing.

 

[Jump This]

Why would he want to use tube bigger than 1/4" Rick? Isn't that what you used for your new steering set up

The difference being 1/4" think and 1/4" tube!

BTW do you have any material to build me a spare tie rod?

 

[hellbilly04]

LOL... I do have a nice piece of 1.50 .25 DOM but no spare heims or tube adapters, their going on my juck this weekend.. Shoot me a PM with ya need.

The difference being 1/4" think and 1/4" tube!

BTW do you have any material to build me a spare tie rod?

 

[Xtrm Jeepr]

Jump This - I know the lines are a little small, thats as big as I could make them with the picture I used with Microsoft Paint, no highly skilled computer tech here. I know the front looks real vertical in the picture, I think I mentioned I was going to slant in the front and rear of the cage more than what is pictured. I understand about placing the horizontal supports just below my shoulder level, but what I was getting at, is should the X go from top to bottom corner, or can it be a little shorter than the top and just below the horizontal tube that the harness will attach too??? About using metal behind the back seats, do you think I can use the angled X that goes from the very rear and ties into the C pillar, which can also be used as part of the tire carrier, or do I also need to triangulate between the C pillar??? I know I have a lot of tube pictured, but I'd like to see what I can eliminate??? And as far as using the stock seat mounts, thats a great idea, thanks. I also appreciate you for busting my chops so far with what I've got, thats what I was looking for. I'm surprised that no one has chimed in about the rear bumper not being bolted on and a little crooked.

RobertK - The cage will definately be a little taller than the stock roof line, I'm 6'9" tall and need all the head room I can get, thats part of the reason why I chopped it, to get some more room in the thing.

Thanks for everybody's input so far, keep it coming.

 

[Matt S.]

Sweet!

Just start bending tube, when it doesnt look right, start over. Make sure to put that kid to work... he can actually weld. I taught him how not to suck.

I would pull the fenders too... just for the build though. Try to push your A pillar further forward. Make it come out the top of the fender maybe? Your rig will wind up having lots of tube, just cuz your so damn huge.

Your B pillar is going to wind up needing to be just about even with the old front spring mount. Makes getting in the back hard if you do passengers, but for your safety, its wise.

Good luck with the 4 bucket seat idea. Member on FarmerMatts how we did that rear seat? He has redone it sence then for more headroom. I think a bench is the only thing you will get in the back.

Good luck! Make sure to update often!

 

[2xtreme]

Here is my input.
1. I agree with posts above, the "A" pillar should be moved as far forward as possible and slanted back more than shows
2. I would eliminate ALL of the RED (except for 1 piece between "A" pillar and front bumper)
3. I don't think you need the "C" pillar X as long as you have the white one.
4. I would include a full X at the "B" pillar if the issue of accessing things behind the front seats is not too much of an issue for you. The lower upside down "V" is acceptable by specs if the full X is too much of an issue for you.

Are you doing this as a Halo? or more typical traditional cage?

Michael

 

[Jump This]

I didn't read your darn post, I just looked at the pictures!



Your size will play a huge role in how you build your cage.
Spend some time looking over other's cages. Robert is a big dude also, he can provide you with that type of input. As for the back seat, I wouldn't be able to help you, I don't have any back seats (although I did leave the mounts to reinstall the bench if so desired.)

Some cage building guide lines..
Try to have your tubes meet in a single location as much as possible.
I personally think the way the cage is tied into the 'frame' is of utmost importance, there are too many cages out there that just seem to end at the floor sheet metal. Not good...
Don't spend forever tying to make getting in and out of the rig as easy as possible. Unless you are a cripple its not that big a deal to have to work your way into the seats.

Find something to add to cage design, be it something like Goatman's winch location or Vettboys angular rear quarter. Doing what everyone else has done might be the 'safe' approach, but what have you added to the general knowledge in regards to Cherokee cages when you are done?

Post pictures....and let us know what you have to pay for your metal.

Rick

Opie says Scrappy taught him all he knows about welding too.....hire a pro to weld for you if that is the case!!

 

[RWKHausSupply]

I would fully remove your rockers and replace that with structural strength material and use that as a major tie in point for B and some A pillar points.

Also if you look at my cage you will see the B pillar is angled out at the shoulder area in the front. If your taller then me then your shoulders should be same or wider. If you go over, and all that is there in that area to keep you from the rocks / dirt is a tube, you might want that tube a few inches further out then your shoulders.

I plated my floors from the main rocker side to side brace just behind the front seats, forward about 28" and bolted that (sandwiched actually) to angle (both inside and outside of unibody rails) that was welded to my sleeved unibody rails under the rig.

Then that 3/16" plate butts up to the 4x4x3/16 rocker tube that replaced my rockers and that plate is fully welded the length, to the rockers. that also made for a nice strong platform for my seat mounts.

I would have to think that my rockers and B pillars will survive for years or many many abusive events using them well... who knows about the rest.

heres a few pictures. maybe theres something you can get from them or at what not to do haha...

after i wended the plate to the rockers and did some sheet for the floor board holes/rust removal, I sealed it all just cause..

the 4x4 tube fit very nicely in the rocker to door hinge area of the stock sheet metal.

yep its ugly, but purpose built and I like it...

With the front tube and done with the 14bolt rear and rockjock HPD60 front on 39.5" iroks, as you see even my 6'5" 285lbs frame fits fine in the front, but in teh back no way. A bench might really help though.

 

[Jump This]

I wouldn't call Roberts rig ugly...Robert maybe but not the Jeep!

I'm not a fan of the 14 bolt, people who run 14 bolt rears should be required to run 40" tires (sorry Robert your 1/2" shy.)

Another item to note,
There are those here that believe building a nice boatside was a huge improvement over the stock width at the rockers....you might want to incorporate them into your design.

Let me look for some pictures of my cross bracing...

 

[RWKHausSupply]

I wouldn't call Roberts rig ugly...Robert maybe but not the Jeep!

I'm not a fan of the 14 bolt, people who run 14 bolt rears should be required to run 40" tires (sorry Robert your 1/2" shy.)

Another item to note,
There are those here that believe building a nice boatside was a huge improvement over the stock width at the rockers....you might want to incorporate them into your design.

Let me look for some pictures of my cross bracing...

Yeah I get told that all the time...

I did shave/cut about 1.5" off the 14bolt, so that means that I am good with a 37" tire right? :eeks1:

Yeah boatsiding is cool. dont really know how benifitial but i am sure theres some pro's to it.

 

[Jump This]

Notice cross brace goes from top to bottom/

Bottom view

Top view.

When I built this one I was trying to learn as much as I could about caging an XJ. If (or when) I build a buggy, I'd raise the sides and eliminate all the sheetmetal (as you already have.)

 

[XJ_ranger]

Opie says Scrappy taught him all he knows about welding too.....hire a pro to weld for you if that is the case!!

thats a Lie! Matt just says my welds look like ass...

I dont think I'll shame the person who taught me what little I know about welding by mentioning Ron's name here... :helpme:

when its importiant, I usually pass the buck to Phil and ask him to weld it for me... :twak:

 

[tcm glx]

I wouldn't call Roberts rig ugly...Robert maybe but not the Jeep!QUOTE]


Robert maybe......come on Rick......be honest. Robert YES! :smsoap:

 

[Mr.OverKill]

I wouldn't call Roberts rig ugly...Robert maybe but not the Jeep!QUOTE]


Robert maybe......come on Rick......be honest. Robert YES! :smsoap:

can you say UNDERSTATEMENT!! :lecture:

 

[Xtrm Jeepr]

Anyone have any pics of C-rok's old rig??? I searched and found the thread but none of the pics were working for me. A couple side and rear shots would be great, thanks.