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Cage Height

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by 1960willyscj5, Mar 7, 2007.

  1. Mar 7, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Good afternoon.:)

    What is the best way to determine the height of the roll cage correctly ?:rofl:
    I allready have the sports bar mounted in my '60 cj5. I want to add the front bar and the spreaders between front and back. Should I measure from the top of the windshield and cut to fit, or should it be slightly higher? I would like to be able to do this one right, so am asking for directions to go in. :coffee:

    Thanks
    Pete:coffee:
     
    1960willyscj5, Mar 7, 2007
    #1
  2. Mar 7, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Re: Cage Hieght

    As high as you can get it under the top....
     
    Boyink, Mar 7, 2007
    #2
  3. Mar 7, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Re: Cage Hieght

    Yeah, I'd want to make sure that I could still put a soft top on it. If you don't, it could get ugly...[​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    Rondog, Mar 7, 2007
    #3
  4. Mar 7, 2007
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    personally
    I'd install the top or purchase whatever top you're going to use and then install it.
    then....take the measurements
    only safe way
    measure twice, cut once
     
    jpflat2a, Mar 7, 2007
    #4
  5. Mar 7, 2007
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    I put my top on and tacked the cage together under it. Pulled top off and finished the welding.
     
    Warloch, Mar 7, 2007
    #5
  6. Mar 7, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Mine is like you see it in the avatar.:)
    just a bikini top.:coffee:
     
    1960willyscj5, Mar 7, 2007
    #6
  7. Mar 7, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    I'd still try to set it such that you can add a softop later.
     
    Boyink, Mar 7, 2007
    #7
  8. Mar 7, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Well, seeing as how the Jeep and I are in Arizona (Phoenix and south), a top has not been a big priority. Nor a heater. It never had one.:) :coffee:

    I saw good example of a 60'ish cj5 (or maybe a m38a1, not sure, they don't show it long enough) on the Dresden Files on the SciFi Channel. Their main charector drives it. Even has the hood standoffs above the windshield over the wipers.:hurrican: :rofl:
     
    1960willyscj5, Mar 7, 2007
    #8
  9. Mar 7, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Dunno...I guess if it were me I'd still make sure the rollcage wouldn't prevent a top from being installed - just in case I ever sold the Jeep.

    Having said that - on my 5 I used straight bars from the rear "sports bar" to the loop around the w/s frame and it didn't interfere with the Supertop. They could have gone higher yet - most cages use tie ins with a slight bend for more headroom.
     
    Boyink, Mar 7, 2007
    #9
  10. Mar 7, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Are they even with or just below the top level of your windshield?:beer:

    I'm going for two runners at the corners (slightly inside) and two in the center spaced wide enough to mount the two-way. Plus to keep the bikini top from flapping down as much as it does now. It's snug, got good tone on the tie downs to the rear.:) :coffee:
     
    1960willyscj5, Mar 7, 2007
    #10
  11. Mar 8, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
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    I know it's done all the time but I'm not a fan of two " center " bars. If you get upside down, those two center bars are a lot closer to you and your passengers heads and you wont have the benefit of helmets. Don't underestimate the amount of " stretch " your body does in a bouncing rollover. Also, a radio mounted in that area is convenient but it's just waiting to put a large gash in your head. Just my .02.
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 8, 2007
    #11
  12. Mar 8, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    IIRC it was about level with the w/s.

    Here's the best pic I could find, sorry it's so small:

    [​IMG]

    You could actually go a bit higher than the w/s with the front hoop - most tops and bikinis have enough "play" in them that they'd still work.

    Slag - if you re-read his post he's planning on four spreaders.
     
    Boyink, Mar 8, 2007
    #12
  13. Mar 8, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
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    [QUOTE



    Slag - if you re-read his post he's planning on four spreaders.[/QUOTE]

    Four bars connecting the front to rear hoop right ? One each on the outside edges and two in the " center " running front to rear. My post was about only using a total of three front to rear.
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 8, 2007
    #13
  14. Mar 8, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Maybe I misunderstood - I thought you were recommending doing more than just two center bars alone, and saw that 1960's planning on 4. You're saying do 2 on the outsides or 3 with one in the center.

    IMHO 4 spreaders is fine - if at 6'3" with tall seats and straight spreaders (vs. the slightly bent ones that most cages run to give more head room) I could fit under them I don't think there's going to be an issue.

    I even rollover tested mine in the CJ5 just to make sure...;)

    I have 4 spreaders on the CJ6, but the cage is a good couple inches taller than a CJ5 cage, because the tops have more rise in them. I have tons of room under the rollcage.
     
    Boyink, Mar 8, 2007
    #14
  15. Mar 8, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
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    A total of three is what I was saying. When I was racing, I got sent into the wall so hard it actually stretched the six point belts so that they were almost loose when it was over. We used to offset the center spreader bar to the right side a bit to allow max headroom. We had more red flags due to guys getting their bells rung hitting a too close spreader bar in a right side impact. I'm just saying that when your strapped in tight and try to move around, your head and body will actually move a lot more in an impact. Again, just my .02.
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 8, 2007
    #15
  16. Mar 8, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Yep - lots of differing opinions when it comes to rollcages....I guess I always figure a Jeep rollover is likely to be at a much lower speed than in a racing situation so I never agree that they have to be built to racing specs.

    I know people say "you can never be too safe" but if you follow that thought to it's logical conclusion you don't end up driving a Jeep off-road anyway...;)
     
    Boyink, Mar 8, 2007
    #16
  17. Mar 8, 2007
    Slaghammer

    Slaghammer Member

    Antioch, Ca.
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    I agree it can be overdone. All I was trying to say is eliminate one bar for more safety. Pretty simple really.
     
    Slaghammer, Mar 8, 2007
    #17
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