Picture Request.... roll cage

[07JKX]

I am toying with an idea to design and build a removable roll cage... something on the exterior that would in fact prevent damage if a vehicle was laid on its side or top.... a bolt on application to the front and rear aftermarket steel bumpers ... possible reinforcement by bolt to the rock sliders

the design i have, which should be structurally sound, will prevent the operation of the soft top. Just curious... tossing' some ideas around.:thinking:

other questions:
what is the minimum thickness tube that I should consider using?
any particular metal?
bolt diameter?

[TAMPAJEEPER]

I love to see it when it is done. As for tubes i have no clue what size to use.

[07JKX]

I love to see it when it is done.

yeah.. me too... I know some folks in the metal fab industry... just a matter of making the paper to into product.

[greenmachine07]

for a really sound probuct i wout use a 2" tube. not sure on the thickness. but im sure if you look on the specs of the rocksliders the can give you a rough idea

[ammonm]

This is too funny. I had this exact same idea last week after wheeling with some crazy guys and some buggies. I just did a search for this and this thread came up!

As for the tube diameter, either 1.75" or 2.0" would work fine as long as the tube's wall thickness is .120.


I was thinking about having the cage tie into my custom rock rails, rear bumper and top roll bar. (I don't want to do any drilling in the body, or have it look funny when it isn't installed)

Would you mind sharing your ideas? I'll draw mine up and try to post them tomorrow.

[tgrt]

http://www.oman4x4.com/albums/cad/jeep2.jpg

[ammonm]

Wowsers, that is a pretty cool rendering. Mine won't be anywhere near as snazzy as that one!

[ammonm]

Okay, so here is what I was thinking. I wanted something that would ONLY protect the JK when I'm out on the trail. Typically in the summer I have the top down and the doors off. (as you can see, the doors can't be attached unless I want to climb in/out through the windows)


The blue dots are where the cage would attach to by bumpers/rock sliders.

The yellow dots are where the cage would be separated for storage. The two sides would be welded together, and the cross tubes would detachable.


Or at least thats what I was thinking about.... With this design it might not be the best for a hard roll-over, but it should definitely help in a side-roll as well as protecting the body against rocks.

http://www.jk-forum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15309&stc=1&d=1226157525

:)

[tgrt]

you are joking aren't you, no crossbraceing and your strongest areas are the tops of the fenders :dontknow2:

It's the best I could find in a quick web search. However, anyone with some imagination or design know-how could flesh it out to be a decent exoskeleton.

[JCKnauer22]

you are joking aren't you, no crossbraceing and your strongest areas are the tops of the fenders :dontknow2:

not only that, but it's on a YJ. what's that all about? and y does it look like it's full of cement?

i know, no insight to the thread, but i just had to point that stuff out. i'm a jerk like that...

[ltdan]

not only that, but it's on a YJ. what's that all about? and y does it look like it's full of cement?

i know, no insight to the thread, but i just had to point that stuff out. i'm a jerk like that...

It does look like it is full of cement!:rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2::rotflmao2 :

[wdb]

I shoulda taken a picture when I saw it but there was a fully Exoed JK driving around here on 40"s.

It looked goofy as hell. :yup:
There is no need for all that extra metal.

[serveapurpose]

I found this rig awhile back while searching....
I think it needs some work though like above the doors

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/nn204/serveapurpose2/a790_3.jpg


http://www.oman4x4.com/albums/cad/jeep2.jpg

[Fubeka]

I like how the rubi removed his fenders. would be cool if could also add some custom removeable fenders as well. btw - i usually dislike exo-cages, but that rubi doesn't look too bad

Man, can you imagine trying to put one of these on an FJ? Holy Cow, it would go from from a Hefer to a Hippo

[juicehammer]

I did one on my Xj it was awesome. I decided that I would rather put plate armor on my Jk because I want to easily remove my top.

[07JKX]

I did one on my Xj it was awesome. I decided that I would rather put plate armor on my Jk because I want to easily remove my top.

that xj is bad ass.... looks military... IED proof minus the doors

[juicehammer]

thanks! it was a lot of fun, it was unstoppable. I sold it to a friend who is stocked to have a jeep he can beat on. If any of you do this to your jk. I used 1.75 dOM tubing with .120 wall. I asked the shop that bent my tubing where I should measure for the bends, so I could get the most accurate measurement. so I highly recommend talking to who ever is bending your tube so you are on the same page. Also a project like this takes a lot of tubing. it adds up fast. I did that XJ 4 years ago and cant remember how much I spent or were to measure from anymore. I think I spent between 1 and 2 grand on steel. also some of my bends were wrong so that add to the cost. Also as I welded the cage straight to the jeep some of the welds were hard to do. also some parts could not be welded all the way around. painting was also hard. I ended up just painting the whole jeep. I recommend making it bolt on.

[07JKX]

thanks! it was a lot of fun, it was unstoppable. I sold it to a friend who is stocked to have a jeep he can beat on. If any of you do this to your jk. I used 1.75 dOM tubing with .120 wall. I asked the shop that bent my tubing where I should measure for the bends, so I could get the most accurate measurement. so I highly recommend talking to who ever is bending your tube so you are on the same page. Also a project like this takes a lot of tubing. it adds up fast. I did that XJ 4 years ago and cant remember how much I spent or were to measure from anymore. I think I spent between 1 and 2 grand on steel. also some of my bends were wrong so that add to the cost. Also as I welded the cage straight to the jeep some of the welds were hard to do. also some parts could not be welded all the way around. painting was also hard. I ended up just painting the whole jeep. I recommend making it bolt on.

:eek2::eek2::eek2:one to two grand:eek2::eek2::eek2:

maybe i will use pvc pipe???:thinking:

[tgrt]

Steel is really expensive right now. A year ago you'd pay about 70% less.

[07JKRUBI]

maybe i will use pvc pipe???:thinking:

:rotflmao2::rotflmao1::rotflmao2::rotflmao1::rotfl mao2:

[RedneckJeep]

Steel is really expensive right now. A year ago you'd pay about 70% less.

My model railroading track has gone up over 300%. It really sucks. Glad I already got all my track almost two years ago. :rotflmao1:

[09rubicon]

I like the design, I do agree that it need some cross bracing. But i saw not to many people answered your actuall questions, so as someone who has built/bought several roll cages, and tested them.......
Tubing you should go with 1 3/4 DOM (drawn over mandrel) with at a minimum .120 wall thickness. The DOM part is just as important as the wall thickness as DOM is 25-30% stronger than seem welded tube ( all sactioning bodies i am aware of require the use of DOM only). I would use a quality mild steel that you can get at any building/industrial supply store. Also dont forget to gusset your main bracing joints/intersections. Finnaly make sure wherever the cage bolts to the frame/body you reinforce appropriatley, A cage that simply pushes through the body when used will give you no protection. Good luck with the build, I think I am the last remaining fan of exo-skeletons!!!!!!!!!!!!

[x No Compromise Offroad x]

Now why would you do that? You'd be better off starting from scratch.

I agree...

[hyatt147]

I agree...

x2....If I had the ability to weld the cage in I would just make my own cage....But I do see where you are coming from with this

[x No Compromise Offroad x]

x2....If I had the ability to weld the cage in I would just make my own cage....But I do see where you are coming from with this

....I hear ya...It's not even the welding thats got me paying someone to do it....it's the thousands of dollars for a good tube bender and notch cutter:crazyeyes:

[bahadden]

heres some custom work by off road evolution, not removable but nice work
http://www.offroadevolution.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1869&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=39b8e759b00b910d4a8bbeff70c1080d

[07JKX]

heres some custom work by off road evolution, not removable but nice work
http://www.offroadevolution.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1869&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=39b8e759b00b910d4a8bbeff70c1080d

I like that much more than an exo... BUT that protects the occupants... I need something to protect the Jeep! Much more important you see:D

I am really looking for something that is easily removable and will provide basic protection... ie laying it over on to its side... I do not (and hope i never will) need something to withstand multiple rolls or a high velocity hit.

[serveapurpose]

I like that much more than an exo... BUT that protects the occupants... I need something to protect the Jeep! Much more important you see:D

I am really looking for something that is easily removable and will provide basic protection... ie laying it over on to its side... I do not (and hope i never will) need something to withstand multiple rolls or a high velocity hit.

Removable???
I would have to think in order for the exo cage to be worth a darn it would need to be tied into the frame as well as the exsisting roll cage. I just don't think removable is an option. :dontknow2:

[07JKX]

Removable???
I would have to think in order for the exo cage to be worth a darn it would need to be tied into the frame as well as the exsisting roll cage. I just don't think removable is an option. :dontknow2:

it would be secured via bolt on point at the rear steel bumper, front steel bumper, and rock rails... cross braced over the to of the vehicle and hood

[x No Compromise Offroad x]

it would be secured via bolt on point at the rear steel bumper, front steel bumper, and rock rails... cross braced over the to of the vehicle and hood

It will save your bod for the most part, but you will be doing some bumper repair it flopped completely over...the bumpers hold up well with forward and reverse impact but not a downward impact...if that makes any since

[Jayk07]

lets see someone build this.

[jeepnag]

I've seen a guy around here with something similar. It all ties into his frame via his rock rails, and bumpers. It doesn't cover the top of the rig, just the sides. I assume he is going to go full on exo eventually.

[RubiOn40s]

http://www.oman4x4.com/albums/cad/jeep2.jpg

I think that might cause more damage then good if you hit something. No offence

[RubiOn40s]

heres some custom work by off road evolution, not removable but nice work
http://www.offroadevolution.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1869&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=39b8e759b00b910d4a8bbeff70c1080d

i like this roll cage a lot it come out real good

[tgrt]

I think that might cause more damage then good if you hit something. No offence

No offense taken. It's not my design. It's just the best I found on an Internet search. I think it's fugly, but everyone has different opinions. That said, it could still be used to get ideas for attachment points and what not.

[White Widow]

i think a roll cage on the inside is the way to go. come on guys it is a wrangler

[x No Compromise Offroad x]

i think a roll cage on the inside is the way to go. come on guys it is a wrangler

agreed:thumbsup:....although I may shed one tear when I flop on my hard-top:eek2:...but I'll get over it:rotflmao2::thumbsup: