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

'57 CJ5: Updating The Old School

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by AlexCold, May 28, 2016.

  1. Feb 10, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    Took some time today to get the CAD work into metal work. I still have a lot of learning to do. Really wish I had a shear at home.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I almost have the driver side done. Just need to make one more piece and then I could finish welding. I dislike body work.

    I did order a fuel tank and some fittings. Still need to order filters and a supplemental fuel pump.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  2. Feb 10, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    This.
     
  3. Feb 11, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    More and more welds. I dislike body work.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Actually I really dislike working on old body steel. It just evaporates as the arc strikes.
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  4. Feb 11, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    Starting to think about cage design. I did some really quick drawings using my tablet.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I prefer the fastback design but i worry about having enough protection for the third passenger aka my son. The sketch looks like there is but I'm not sure.

    Thoughts?
     
  5. Feb 12, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I like your drawings!
    Better safe than sorry. But on the other hand, chances are - the only time a child's head would be in harm's way with the sport cage would be during such a violent end-over-end rollover that there would be serious injuries regardless of cage design.

    Are you going to have a rear-mounted spare? That will add a little to rear-passenger safety if the mount is sturdy.
     
  6. Feb 12, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    I hadn't thought about a spare tire carrier. I figured if I had one it would likely be just a spare strapped behind my seat. Hmmm more to think about.
     
  7. Feb 12, 2017
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    I like the blue. More cage around the kid. If something ever happened, you would never forgive yourself.
     
  8. Feb 13, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    You're not wrong. I need to take a photo with him and myself in the vehicle where we think we'll end up and take another photo. The thing is, if he was older (ie much larger) the blue one is a no brainer. But he's 3, and by the time he's older I'll have finished my early Bronco which will be the real family cruiser. This rig is more for just him and me and occasionally the wife tags along, which will be when he's in the third seat. Any other time he'll be right next to me strapped down to high hell (not that I would ever do anything dangerous with him in the vehicle). So I do need to build allowances for him, but don't need to go completely overkill.
     
  9. Feb 13, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    I'm no cage engineer, but why not combine the two? When he's outgrown the 3rd seat, cut off the rear blue loops and leave the orange design for your fastback taste.
     
  10. Feb 13, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    JMO - I like the blue full cage aesthetically more than the fastback. Friend build similar cage for his FJ40 - didn't think I'd like it, but I really do. Some of it it the proportionality with the 'size of the vehicle'. If your lifted with bigger tires, the full cage seems to 'fit' proportionally - his FJ40 is a bit longer and wider than a ecj5, and he runs 35s. If its lower, narrower, smaller tired vehicle (31's) full cage seems visually too 'top heavy" (meant aesthetically only). From what I see of your cj, looks like the full cage would work. Of course, none of this takes into account safety concerns which are priority, or at least 100% your decision. Your vehicle...design it how you like it!
     
  11. Feb 13, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    When he's outgrown the third seat, this rig is no longer a three seater. At that point he's full time co-driver/mechanic. At which point I really dream we can build my EB for a family rig for camping/off-roading which will be 100% overbuilt for mild trails.

    I'm a fastback guy all the way, which is why I'm broken on what to doe aesthetically. I'll get a picture with us in the vehicle to get a better idea and figure out the cage. Also, these are only sketches, I'll hopefully have better 3D CAD photos to share.
     
  12. Feb 13, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    What about something in between?
    [​IMG]
     
  13. Feb 13, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Correct...That's why I suggested planning for the structure to be modified into the fastback design in the future.

    Who's riding shotgun in the meantime? I think he'd be safer as a copilot. I'm not sure how the law applies in such a short wheel based vehicle? I would like to think law enforcement would agree in this case.
     
  14. Feb 13, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    Took a photo when I got home to get a better idea about the cage.

    [​IMG]

    I think I'll make something like this
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  15. Feb 13, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    My wife normally would be the copilot. If he's the only other passenger he'll be in the copilot seat. Don't know what the law is but this is AZ, I don't worry about laws to much.
     
  16. Feb 13, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
  17. Feb 14, 2017
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Messages:
    2,115
    i would suggest the blue cage, this way you will be able to use 3 point seat belt on the rear.
     
  18. Feb 17, 2017
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    I've been drawing my cage on paper a bunch, going to build it soon too. I think if your little one is in the rear at all, you will feel safer with the full rear cage covering his little noggin. Not judging, just giving my thoughts as a fellow Dad.
     
  19. Feb 17, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    A cage is only one part of what's required to keep not only the little ones but everyone else safe within that enclosure ........a reasonably restrictive 3, 4 or 5 point restraint system needs to also be part of that thought process for any given circumstance to keep everyone within the cage safe.............for the little guys that means an up to date child car seat , properly mounted that has it's own restraint system within.............that seat should also restrict the child's head from erratic side to side movement.......................and before all the pundits chime in and claim their total independence away from any form of racing , fast or erratic driving , and or off road driving that for any reason may remotely require restraints................ask yourself one question ? Why are you installing a cage if you don't want to reap the benefits it provides?
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  20. Feb 17, 2017
    AlexCold

    AlexCold Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2015
    Messages:
    140
    Thanks everyone for the input. I've appreciated getting the different viewpoints. I'm still a ways away.

    Like Tarry said, it's not like he's going to be flopping around. He'll be in his car seat with a 5 - point harness tightly secured, so he doesn't need two feet of space between him and the cage. Front passengers will be using 4-point harnesses. So I need to find a well functioning cage that suits my definition of good form.

    Right now I'm working on the front axle.
     
New Posts