1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Roll Bar Thoughts. Do you have one or not?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by ODBuffalo, May 20, 2015.

?

To put a roll bar in or not.

  1. Yes, I have roll bar.

    37 vote(s)
    86.0%
  2. No, I do not have a roll bar.

    6 vote(s)
    14.0%
  1. May 20, 2015
    ODBuffalo

    ODBuffalo Member

    Fort Wayne, IN
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2014
    Messages:
    111
    Just wondering how many of you guys have installed a roll bar of some sort. Im sure everyone that uses their Jeep for off-roading has installed one, but what about casual use, street driving, runs to the store, etc.

    Mine will be used for running errands, taking kids to swim, short trips around town. My 62 is mostly stock.

    Thanks
     
  2. May 20, 2015
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    sorry - posting error
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  3. May 20, 2015
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    4,716
    I think a properly installed rollbar and seat belts are good ideas. I have both because mine is top heavy and it has been on 3 wheels taking off camber turns around town. I would say it is a must with my mtn bike on the rack.
     
  4. May 20, 2015
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2003
    Messages:
    2,132
    Full cage in mine..
     
  5. May 20, 2015
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    Roll-over protection probably get used as much or more on-road as off-road. At least off-road, you usually have control over your destiny. On-road there is more than an ample supply of idiots you don't control. Frankly, I don't ride in a Jeep without seat belts and at least a decent roll bar.
     
  6. May 20, 2015
    aekdbbop

    aekdbbop Member

    TN
    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2014
    Messages:
    403
    I have one. Plan on it being mounted 95% of the time. If i take it to a show or something, Ill probably yank it off just for aesthetics.
     
  7. May 20, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    X2 what Duffer said.
    I worry more about it on the street than I do off road.
    (most of my Jeeping is low n slow, I'm not racing Baja!)
    My Jeep was given to me after the PO rolled it at highway speed when he hit some ice on a bridge.
    It just had the standard rollbar bolted to the wheel wells...it got bent over at about a 20 degree angle but it undoubtedly saved his life.
     
  8. May 20, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    I'm sure a bar and belts are the safest way to go. That said, I have no bar in my stock '57.

    In the narrow trails and woods around here it would get hung up too often, and my street use is only around the village. Plus I definitely prefer the early 'look' without a bar. But I know I am assuming some risk... as I do in many parts of life.

    If you have kids and others as passengers, they should be belted in, and that means a bar too. On the Fire/Rescue the worst injuries I see at MVAs are when people are "ejected."
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  9. May 20, 2015
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    Safest way to go is in a modern car with air bags and all the rest.

    But like Pete (maybe it's an A1 thing) I don't have a roll bar. I also keep my speed below 50 (normally 40-45 max), don't drive on ice, don't eat, drink, text, talk on a phone or do any other things that divert my attention from the road. If you aren't absolutely driving defensively in a jeep.... reminds me very much of my motorcycle days, except that a jeep feels like a tank for protection compared to a bike.

    My jeep came with a roll bar, but I sold it to a friend with a 67 CJ5. I don't like them- it detracts from the look of a jeep. I don't feel any safer with a roll bar, though there are certainly things that can be done to make your jeep inherently safer. For example, I recently put on some 215-85-16s (AT tread) and that alone made my jeep much safer- the NDCCs are a nightmare in comparison. I'd much rather have the AT tread and no roll bar than the NDCCs and a roll bar.

    Edit: another thought occurred to me; all wildland firefighters carry a fire shelter, to be used in a last ditch effort to survive a fire. Yeah, we pack the things all over the place and occasionally someone finds a need for one. But it is true that a number of people on fires will take unnecessary risks knowing they have that shelter to fall back on. I'm not one of those people and never have been- I operate as if I never carry one at all. I've done that since '74, have never have come even close to needing one and I fight fire as aggressively as anyone out there. The Canadians and Australians- both of whom see some crazy fire behavior also- especially the Aussies- don't use the shelters. And they fight fire accordingly. So, I think the same applies to a roll bar- I just never take my jeep in a situation where a rollover is gonna happen. I know the rollbar isn't there and I use the jeep accordingly.

    Much depends on how you use the jeep. A rollbar is like any other mod- they aren't "needed" any more than a engine swap or driveline mod is "needed". If I wheeled hard core and expected to get into dicey situations, then yes, a roll bar is mandatory equipment.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  10. May 20, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Agreed- seatbelts without a bar, or preferably a cage, can be very counterproductive.

    BTDT

    [​IMG]

    H.
     
  11. May 20, 2015
    Greenshirt82

    Greenshirt82 The Old Girl - '69 CJ5

    Southern Maryland
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2012
    Messages:
    296
    No bar, but my Meyer cab provides a bit of roll protection. I don't drive greater than 50-ish and only on warm, dry roads. No kids, no rain, no snow, no ice. The cab is coming off for nice weather and it's a risk I'm willing to take as I like the look.

    Regards,
    Tim
     
  12. May 20, 2015
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
    Messages:
    415
    I VERY seldom drive my CJ2A on the road. I have a roll bar for it that has not been installed since I began the complete rebuild. I have, frankly, mixed feelings about it…

    I think they are REALLY ugly on a classic Jeep.

    To actually work as a ROLL bar, they need to be anchored to the frame, and I am not excited about punching a bunch of holes and welding underbody braces on an essentially new Jeep that will only see moderate trails.

    They will interfere wit my two dog box in the back of the Jeep.

    I know, I know - essential equipment according to most people. Undecided. Definitely will have seat belts.

    Mike
     
  13. May 20, 2015
    Arnold Layne

    Arnold Layne Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2013
    Messages:
    213
    You just have to weigh the risks involved in the event of a rollover accident against the payoff of looking a little cooler. The older I get the more that scale tends to favor roll bars and things of that nature. I have often wondered how many of you guys have crashed a Jeep hard, doesn't seem to me that it would be a very comfortable experience, to say the least.
     
  14. May 20, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Raises hand.

    Mmm. In my experience, the hard top does not improve safety much, if at all. In fact, I'd say it's more of a hazard than a help in most highway accidents. In a roll over on the street, the hard top is not strong enough to prevent the windshield or hard top from hitting you in the face. BTDT, and have the scars for it. Really, IMO a roll bar does not provide much protection from injury other than from a slow roll with the windshield folded down. You need that front bar too. The roll bar probably saved my life, but it did not protect me from serious injury.

    IMO you are kidding yourself if you think the hard top is protecting you from anything other than rain and snow. Forewarned is forearmed.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  15. May 20, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Nope - not true. They do work when bolted to the body. BTDT, and have seen rolled-over Jeeps besides mine where the body is bashed up but the roll bar still stands proud. The body bends but the roll bar does not collapse.
     
  16. May 20, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,104
    I don't know how to vote on this, one Jeep (the 3B, has a rollbar with a reinforced body), the Commando has none. I know of more people that rolled their 4X4s on pavement. All in all, I would tend to having a rollbar, Not that I've used one yet other than to hang towels or such on to dry.
     
  17. May 20, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
    Messages:
    5,466
    Full cage - willing to help folks build one who need it as I have the tools and ability to do that... That's how important I think they are.
     
  18. May 20, 2015
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Wow Great subject............and one of my Pet subjects on a few other Jeep Forums.......the subject of Roll Bars or Cages?

    Yes , I have a Race Car, and Yes , it goes over 200 mph and "No" you do not need the same protection as I do to go that fast.

    The general consensus among the Forums I have responded to for Early or late Jeep owners is that " No I only need a roll bar , when I need one!" Huh! or "I don't drive that fast and never in the rain or snow and I never use my Jeep on trails that could perhaps cause and upset!" or "they just look out of place , funny or bad" & " I have been doing this for years"

    Don't get me wrong , I respect everyone's view on the subject of safety and or there own personal vehicles looks.

    But lets face it , other than an accident why would you need one? And how do you plan for an accident? I know the two times I rolled my Jeep I had not gotten up in the morning thinking about rolling it over! It just happened!....Slow roll down a hill both times , took the windshield frame and the glass out and dented the body........my cage held up fine, rolled the Jeep back over and drove it home without any injuries to my body short of the injuries to my personal pride!

    At 20 mph in a Jeep Tin Can thrown out or flailed around inside you can be just as hurt or DOA as me going 200 mph. Although with the extra protection at 200 I may come out of that much better than unprotected at 20 mph.

    I am also pretty anal about how a Bar or Cage is mounted along with using proper restraints.........seems to me if it is not done correctly , then why do it at all?

    I know my Jeep will always have a Cage.........not cause I'm crazy or stupid , just cause I respect the un-expected!

    Good luck either way you decide to go.
     
  19. May 20, 2015
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    For what it's worth, I dynamic load tested the classic fenderwell bolted roll bar I built for my CJ5-a complete somersault at 55 mph. Windshield did indeed for all practical purposes disappear. Roll bar was undamaged except for the missing paint (still using it). No hint of it pulling loose (was plated beneath sheet metal) but the tub rail was depressed a good 3" below the roll bar hoop. Absolutely did work and after a Willys pickup came by and pulled it back up on it's wheels, I drove it 12 miles back home. Other than a banged up head from the windshield/glass, I survived with minimal damage.

    My thoughts on the Meyer cab also are the same as Tim's. If anything, all that extra weight up there is going to get you into problems sooner than nothing and I doubt too much of it will still be attached in any accident other than maybe a fender bender. And I don't think keeping the speed below 45 to 50 mph is going to help either when the person texting on their phone blows the stop sign/light and slams into you. More than likely you will still be wheels up and likely splattered on that vehicle or the road.
     
  20. May 20, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,104
    The 3B has a fair amount of 1/4 plate welded and bolted in, both sides of the fender wells. Not as safe as a full cage attached to the frame but I feel a bit more safe than having nothing. I've thought about a front hoop. It's already a bit hard to get my feet in.
    2 of my friends were doing less than 35 MPH on a city road when they flopped. Another guy rolled his '79 Toyota on a paved road in the mountains, about 30' in front of my Volvo. Not too much fun to watch. He did end up on his wheels. The fiberglass camper shell went over the guard rail and we gathered up all of the other stuff, went back later an recovered the shell, right to the land fill.
     
New Posts