Since the JK's OEM cage is know to be weak, and this is my DD and offroad toy. I've been thinking about getting a roll cage upgrade for my JK. I have found only three companies that make after market cages. Have looked and read about these on my computer for weeks, and would like to have some input from the forum members about these cages. I know none of these three cages below are "full cages" meaning they mount to the body somewhere, and not to the frame. But short of a custom made cage, these are the choices.

a: Rock Hard's Ultimate Sport Cage
b: Or-Fab's Sport Cage
c: River Raider's Weld-In Cage

The Rock Hard is a bolt in, no welding. The front part of the cage mounts to the door jam area and the rear protection is only a center bar on top.

The Or-Fab also is a bolt in, no welding. Mounts like the Rock Hard, but overall as a cleaner look IMO. Also the OEM bars above the front doors are removed for good. The rear protection is only a center bar on top

The River Raider is not a bolt in, it's 99% welding, I don't weld, but it looks real nice. I think the front mount connects to the firewall and it does have more rear protection bars than the other two. And none of the OEM bars are replaced, just added to.

So that's what I know about these three. The prices are close for all three, so that should have no impact.

 

Rock Hard is $600 give or take, but comes unfinished, and you have to paint or powdercoat it on top of that. Rear bars are another $160 plus paint.
River Raider is $583 for 4 door, also unfinished. You will need to weld it, as you mentioned. It relocates your tweeters, which none of the others do.
OR-FAB is $600 give or take but finished. Or you can get them unfinished for $540ish. Rear bars are $200ish also finished. You can also get a floor mount kit that Rock Hard doesn't have.

Of course, I bought OR-FAB, but all of them appear to use the same 1.75" .120 DOM tubing. Most of it comes down to style and whether or not you want to weld.

 

I have the OR-FAB cage. Nice welds, quality build, NICE fit, with the floor tie-ins.

 

Uh, no. You remove the tweeters, install the cage, and put the tweeters onto a bar of the cage. They don't move far, but the point is that they aren't behind a bar like they are on the other two setups.

 

From a welding perspective, welding stronger tubes onto weaker tubes only makes the system fold over. Even with triangulation, the new tubes on relying on the OEM tubes for support plus their mounting locations and how they are mounted as well.

Why a well made system replaces all the factory tubes, triangulation and mounting surface.

I just wanted something to hold the windshield from folding over in case of a nice flop.

 

If I go with a bolt-in, the Or-Fab would be my choice. But I had two questions, first the OEM bar above the door is removed in place of theirs, how do you feel about not having it there any longer ? And more of a issue with me was that cross bar that goes from right to left right in front of you near the top, does this bug you as it looks like it is so near your head ? The RockHard also has this same bar location.

 

I really was torn about which one to get when I initially looked into this myself. I do have a welding background and I personally think you can never beat welding with bolt-on so I really wanted to steer clear of those options even though the cost may be a bit more.

I think the one you get really depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

If you want basic flop protection, any of them will probably do.
I was looking for protection from a multi-roll situation on a gnarly trail or a freeway traffic accident. If that is what you are looking for protection on, there is 2 choices IMHO. River Raider cage or a fully custom one.

I went with RR because it adds on to the factory cage so I can use all the accessories still (like my bestop trektop surrounds). It also adds TONS of protection throughout the factory cage. Kenny over at RR is a great guy and will hook you up with a great kit. Also, the tweeters can still be fully functional too!
With a fully custom cage, you are on your own for fitting anything made for the JK...

Here are a few pictures, more to come...

 

One word

SWEET

 

The bar that replaces it serves the function of the stock bar. I have my soft top door surrounds on it and have no issues.
It isn't very close to my head, and I don't sit terribly far back. It is pretty close to the sunvisors, and the soft top latch will hit it in certain positions, if that gives you an idea of how far forward it is. I like it, because sometimes I rest my hand on it. Honestly it doesn't block my view in any way.

 

Dr McNinja, there is NO offense intended, but I have to say something due to my experience with metal and welding. I hope you never experience harm and that this cage DOES work for you, just my honest observation.
IMHO:
WOW I just looked at the pictures of OR fabs cage and it looks like it would not give much support. The thin plates that bolt to the center bar by 2 bolts is the MAJOR weak point. It wouldn't take much to rip that of. I would actually be afraid it would harm the passengers by bending in. Rock Hard's is better i think since they use collars right to the bar, but still doesn't replace a weld.


Attachment 36060