What Did You Use To Build Your Cage?

Before we go any further, I am not building a race car cage, its not going to be CrMo, I dont have the time to Tig weld the thing and it may be HREW or DOM depending upon price and availability. Something is better than nothing and I want this to keep me from getting crushed if I flop my jeep over on the Rubicon or flip myself off the edge at Black Bear pass....

Ok, What did you use? 1.5x.25 wall? 2x.25 wall? What bender did you buy? I am looking at https://www.jd2.com/model-32-bender

Remember I have less room that you guys with the CJ5s, so I was thinking the 1.5OD tube. I would also tie in the front seats, buy these https://corbeau.com/baja-low-back/ and fix the problem of having to look OVER the front 2a windshield... If you know, well..

I know there are all sorts of innovative way to make a cage in a flat fender, http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/116011/
But I am not Ryan. However, I do plan on isolators and frame mounted.. So think along those lines..

3 hoops, Mig welded, maybe HREW and tied into the frame with at least 2 of those hoops.

Ok. lets GO!

 

I used 2" HREW .120 wall.. In hindsight I wish I had used 1-3/4 but I already invested in the 2" die for my bender.

 

Main hoop behind seats 1-3/4" .120 wall.
The rest of the cage 1-1/2" .095 or .120 wall, whatever suits your fancy.

 

I used 2x.120 DOM for the main hoops and stringers. It seems to be on the bigger side of things because most pre-fab brackets are smaller I guess because race cars and SxS cages must be smaller.

I used extreme custom fabrication and was impressed with most of it. If you have a bender, then maybe just think about getting the front hoop since it had very nice bends in it to match the windshield and dash. They asked for windshield angles when I ordered. I wanted to do a family cage, but the rear hoop was directly over my little rear seat and would have hit my son's head constantly.

This notcher was invaluable since I don't have a drill press: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...MImPrD_pyx_gIVQBPUAR04jQZpEAAYAiAAEgJcUvD_BwE

gussets, tabs and bungs for seat belts came from here: https://www.aa-mfg.com/

I will work on uploading pictures to my build page since I just finished it 2 weeks ago.

 

That requires 2 dies. I would probably go all 1.75 OD at that point....

 

In that case I would go all 1-1/2" .120 wall....
My entire cage is 1-1/2".

 

I usually use 1.75, 1.5" and 1" all .120 wall a mix of DOM and HREW. DOM for the longer tubes, and HREW for shorter sections and gussets and 1" for stuff like seat mounts and grab handles. For a bender, I've had a JD2 for about 10 years or so, It works, but I really like the design of the Rogue Fab bender, just seems easier to use and easier to repeat bends. I've picked one up and have run a few test bends with it, so far I like it alot better. haven't built a cage with it yet though.

 

1-1/2” x .120 wall entire cage. Used 1”x .120 wall for seat brackets.
I have the JD2-model 32 bender. I like it for what I’ve used it for. I do have dies for 1”, 1-1/2” and 1-3/4”. Not a cheap investment, but it’s a tool…priceless!

 

On the tux we used all 1.75 .120 DOM. I found a local jeep builder that could order from a major steel supplier (PDM) and get an OK price. I think it was about $500 to do the cage with 3-19' sticks. My brother already had the JD2 bender with 1.75 dies, and I don't think you want to go smaller than that. The bender works well, I played with the program ahead of time, and it gives you all the starting points for the bends. I was sceptical about the measurements, but it was dead nuts. I am looking forward to doing another A to C design cage for Woodstock. More head room and better front visibility.

 

This.......has been on my mind.

 

1.75”x.120 HREW. DOM would’ve been better.

 

Whatever seats you want, find someone that has a set and sit in them awhile. I took my Corbeau Moab's out, they were too narrow for me and pressed on my kidneys. A few who rode in my rig thought they were comfy. The padding and construction was fine. I have Mastercraft Baja's now.

 

I’m running the Corbeau JP extra wide seats, very comfy. They fit pretty well in my cj5, with wheel well notch, not a lot of room between them.

 

Those seats look comfy. I like the high bolsters and they are hard to beat. These days I find getting in and out hard enough. I went with the Trailcats and took out the JAZ/Baja seats.
The Trailcats seats tilt for more adaptability. In the process of installing. Finishing the wheel house notch. Fitted up today and welding them in tomorrow.

 

Just bought the JD2 model 32 bender, 1.5 and 1" tube dies. Its on.

I did not buy the pipe dies because I hate welding sch40 pipe. Its also much thicker wall and while that may add strength, its also heavy.

 

I’ve wanted to buy the square dies for awhile, just haven’t pulled the trigger. Might be a good time.