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Post by baseshakers on Jan 9, 2006 15:38:37 GMT -5
i am thinking about getting one, because i really like putting the windshield down. but, it takes forever now (the stock way) and what's left isn't really strong enough, just in case. anyone have one? i am looking at the different brands out there, and really want to find one that doesn't hurt leg room, or get in the way of the vents, has grab handles (i hate the soft "sport" handles) and that the windshield bolts to, so it stay stable when it is up. thoughts?
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Post by tjeff on Jan 9, 2006 16:02:34 GMT -5
For the most popular bolt in one that's really nice, try rockhard. www.rockhard4x4parts.com/index.htmlOtherwise, a lot of local shops will weld one in for you for about the same price but it won't bolt to the windshield because they will use a new windshield bar that curves down to the floor. Jeff
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Post by jrcabbral on Jan 9, 2006 21:44:07 GMT -5
To get what you are looking for you will need to go thru the dash or with a style like Poison Spyder. Can you weld? YOu can fit a 1 3/4 behind the vents in a tj and you do not have to remove the dash but you have to be willing to cut. OR Fab also makes a bolt to the door cage
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Post by ZAEDOCK on Jan 12, 2006 11:18:38 GMT -5
I think leg room and getting in the way of the vents should be at the bottom of the list for a cage that can take a roll. I have a M.O.R.E (Mountain Off Road Enterprises) cage and it's in the way of the window crank, the front speakers, and my parking brake, but it can support the weight of the vehicle. IMO, stoutness comes first. As far as the windshield goes, there is plenty of support with just the two bottom bolts. Attaching the windshield frame to the cage isn't necessary.
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Post by DOUG® on Jan 15, 2006 14:27:12 GMT -5
I would go with an OR Fab or Toys by Troy cage. Both of these attach at the cowl on either side of the dash. You can then (with optional pieces) go from the cowl to the floor and then from the floor to the frame.
The cowl is the strongest part of the tub. At one time there was a video going around that showed an end over end roll with one of these cages installed and the Jeep had minimal damage to it's structure. In fact most of the damage was the windshield frame.
I had a MORE cage in my YJ and it was a PITA with the parking brake. A friend of mine has one in a TJ and it takes up a lot more room than one would think.
We will be installing an OR Fab cage in the Rubicon.
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Post by jrcabbral on Jan 15, 2006 17:35:16 GMT -5
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Post by jrcabbral on Jan 15, 2006 17:41:50 GMT -5
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Post by Kevin W. on Jan 15, 2006 19:47:03 GMT -5
My thoughts on cages - Their are two distinct kinds of cages....
A) The bolt on "sport cages" such as the tbt, or fab, rockhard or psc which bolt onto the body. I think any of these will help save your life, both on road and offroad.
B) A full replacement cage, which gets rid of the crappy main hoop, which is three seperate pieces anyway. It would then also directly attach to the frame without any silly bolts attaching brackets together.
If you plan on rolling the jeep, flopping it over and wheeling some more (repeated several times) then get B.
If you plan on NOT rolling the jeep and only want the cage for the extra insurance, then get A.
KEV
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Post by ZAEDOCK on Jan 16, 2006 10:32:04 GMT -5
My 1.75" diameter, .120" thick, M.O.R.E cage bolts down to the floor of the tub, but then it also bolts into my Poison Spyder Customs rocker knockers which ties into the body mounts (like a frame tie in). I also zapped it into the factory bar (which seems to be .088" thick, as I didn't blow through). I'm not sure if a YJ bar is thicker than a TJ, but it seems pretty strong and did not deflect or deform after flopping onto my side several times. One of those times, the weight of the Jeep was on the factory bar against a tree and it still did not deform.
I still agree with Kevin though, in that if you want the ultimate "functional" protection, a full cage made from 1.75" DOM (.120" thick) tube is the way to go. There are plenty of shops to do this work. Even if you spend $1K or more, it's a small price to pay for ultimate safety.
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Post by DOUG® on Mar 21, 2006 8:00:57 GMT -5
Ryan, what did you decide to do on this matter?
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Post by baseshakers on Mar 21, 2006 9:02:54 GMT -5
I decided to get an on board air system and upgrade my headlights first! i am hoping to save up for a cage after this, but i want make sure i get the right one. if anyone in the club has one installed i could take a look at, it would be great!
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Post by tjeff on Mar 21, 2006 20:23:56 GMT -5
I have a buddy that might be joining the club. Talked to him today and he's not sure if he can attend this Saturday. If he does, he has the rockhard cage. Looks real nice.
Another one to look at for bolt in (especially for the LJ's) is the Poison spyder. It's new and I'm not sure if it's out to the vendors yet.
Jeff
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Post by Kevin W. on Mar 22, 2006 7:34:36 GMT -5
Out of the bolt-on cages, I also like the rockhard one the most. I wish they came pre-powerdercoated or painted. Its such a hassle to take it some place to be PC'd - and you never know if they'll do a crappy job. I guess I would probably end up painting it the color of the jeep using Duplicolor spray paint - but at this this point I really don't have access to somewhere where I could paint them. OH well
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Post by DOUG® on Mar 22, 2006 7:57:43 GMT -5
I was going to bring it to the local body shop and let them have at it with the paint gun. The Rockhard cage is real nice, albeit very expensive.
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Post by Kevin W. on Mar 22, 2006 17:38:56 GMT -5
Does anyone know if Rockhard will make it WITHOUT that steel plate between the two overhead bar? I guess its handy to mount stuff on, but I won't be mounting anything there. I would like it to be open - I enjoy the sun KEV
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