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'65 Rubicon Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by timsresort, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. Nov 20, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Picked up the roll cage material in Reno. I am going with 1-3/4" DOM, and for something I thought would be easy and cheap, not so much. In the end, a small fab shop had some at not obnoxious prices, so I jumped. Since they are 19' sticks, I took my work truck with a rack, dumped them off at my brothers shop, (he has the bender), and forgot to take a photo. That got me thinking about design. Nick and I like the A to C design, which runs 2 parallel bars down the sides, with fillers crossing. So, a quick sharpie session yielded 3 choices, and I'm not (too) afraid to solicit opinions here, I think. 3 choices, and suggestions welcome.
    [​IMG]
    1. The smitty look.
    2. The TJ look
    3. The classic
    Whaddyya think?
     
  2. Nov 20, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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  3. Nov 21, 2021
    Rozcoking23

    Rozcoking23 RUN & GET BIT! 2024 Sponsor

    Stockton, CA
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    #1-Smitty look
     
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  4. Nov 21, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Back to more serious work. I ran the motor, started right up, so I decided to break in the cam. Then Uh Oh. Valve train noise on the left side, which to me means the front cam bearing has a problem. So it's going to be one of those 1 step forward, 2 steps back kind of days. Since the front clip isn't installed, I think the way to go is to get it on a stand. So, out she comes.
    [​IMG]
    Tore it down to the point I can get the cam out, and the bearings don't look great. Hope I didn't toast a brand new cam.
    [​IMG]
    I think since I am this far, I will look at all bearings.
     
    Rubicloak likes this.
  5. Nov 22, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Bah, that sucks about the engine.

    ...and I have to throw in a vote for the Smitty style roll bar too. It just looks right on an old Jeep.
     
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  6. Nov 22, 2021
    OzFin

    OzFin Vintage Jeep Guy

    Michigan
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    Jul 16, 2007
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    992
    The Smitty configuration looks best to me.
    Good luck with the engine bearings.
     
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  7. Nov 22, 2021
    BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    Northern Virginia
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    Apr 27, 2017
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    326
    The classic style roll bar is technically the strongest, as it doesn't have the two unsupported bends. It may not be a lot stronger though, and it all depends on how you configure the cross bracing. Basic rules to remember are triangulation and node support.

    Personally I prefer a full family style cage that comes all the way back, with just enough clearance for the top and plenty of triangular bracing. Also, decide now if you want to run a 4 or 5 point harness so you can plan for a harness cross bar behind the seats.

    Are you planning to tie it into the frame, or just bolt it to the tub? From the little I've seen, bolting to the tub with load plates is stronger then many people think. Tying to the frame is obviously stronger, but usually isn't criitical.

    Mike
     
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  8. Nov 22, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Veradale, WA
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    Aug 13, 2015
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    Asking what design you should go with is like asking us what your favorite meal is. :) Go with the one you like; you’re the one who’ll be living with it.

    I will add this: I prefer to build my cages with the B pillar behind my head, not next to it. In the event of a side impact (collision, roll, slide to sudden stop, etc…), I don’t want my (or my passenger’s) head to hit tubing.
     
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  9. Nov 22, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Thanks, Mike. This cage will compromise between a little safety (for recreational jeeping), a little budget, a little convenience, and without creating a ton of work. I don't foresee tying into the frame, but I will have angle in the fender wells that will provide some vertical shear. There will be some gusseting, but I am staying away from too much bracing that will cut into accessibility and cargo space. Right now, we want to get the basic look, then we can fine tune.
    Tim
     
  10. Nov 22, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Right, the B pillar will be behind the seat.
    Tim
     
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  11. Nov 23, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Cam-Damn.
    [​IMG]
    Went in on a cam bearing tool with my brother. First thing I notice, can't do this without removing the bottom end. I want to look at bearings anyway, but jeez. I know, stop my whining and get to work. (channelling my dad)
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Nov 23, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Project creep at it's finest.
     
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  13. Nov 23, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    In construction, I always try to put a setback behind us as fast as possible. Fix it, move on. It can always be worse, it could be June...
     
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  14. Nov 24, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    When I put together my 225 years ago, I installed my cam bearing with a home made tool that replicated the commercially available ones.. Except none were stated to work with this Buick.

    Anyway, I installed them and the cam had little to no clearance and barely turned. I did some research and wound up doing something mentioned in some message board of doing a fix for this by old school mechanics.

    I took the old cam and used an angle grinder to cut 2 spiral flutes in the bearing surfaces, polished the spirals and installed this old cam. I used it like a ream to line bore the cam bearings when I turned it by hand with assembly lube.

    I know. Im gonna get flamed for this.. whatever. It worked. Had good oil pressure and it all worked out really well. Also, there was not one machine shop in my area that would install my cam bearings for any price or set this up for me.
     
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  15. Nov 24, 2021
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    No one is going to flame you for this. Your work-around ideas are legendary!
     
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  16. Nov 24, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I agree, whatever works. And I had heard of this, not sure if it was you or not, but sounded like not too bad of an idea. Although I really hope I don't have to do it, but who knows? Murphy seems to be paying extra attention to me lately.
     
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  17. Nov 26, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Took the motor the rest of the way down, I needed to know the bad news, which is the rod and mains need replacement also. I thought I'd just run to Summit in Sparks, but no. Arrival date of 12-13. Crap.
    [​IMG]
    I did play with the new cam bearing tool. Works well, and I can do this, as I have these bearings. But after that, I will have to get creative on other things I can do to move forward. Maybe some interior stuff.
    [​IMG]
     
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  18. Nov 27, 2021
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Why did all your bearing get ruined? Im sure you primed it and used assembly lube. Is there some blockage in the oil gallery or maybe oil pump issues? Roll pin broken in drive gear?
     
  19. Nov 27, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Same thing i went through :gaah:My assembly lube had dried out and starved the crank.
     
  20. Nov 27, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    So what’s the solution? Running the primer longer would be easy. Reassembling would obviously be lots harder but worth the effort if you’re going to have to do it anyway (with new parts)?
     
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