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 bars

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by pamela, Apr 25, 2014.

  1. Apr 25, 2014
    pamela

    pamela Member

    RAMSEY IN
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2006
    Messages:
    113
    hello i was wondering if a 65 cj5 came with a roll bar ? mine has one with the wheel well cushons . wanting to know if there original or not thanks ed.
     
  2. Apr 25, 2014
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    None of my Kaiser Jeep literature from the mid-60s shows any roll bars. I don't recall factory rollbars until the Renegade I around 1970, but they may have been used earlier. Nearly every old CJ 5 has a rollbar installed today.
    Usually the wheelwell cushions were found on Tuxedo Parks, though they were an accessory item.
     
  3. Apr 26, 2014
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Aftermarket only before 1974, except for the Renegade packages. "Factory equipment" usually means it was on the options list, and appears on the window sticker.

    What do you mean by "original?" Most Jeeps left the dealership with some "Jeep approved" special equipment - aftermarket equipment - such as a roll bar and locking hubs. The special equipment came to the dealership through the dealer parts network, so it was nominally factory parts. This equipment was typically rolled into the purchase price and financing. Did this equipment arrive with the Jeep from the factory? No. Was it part of the Jeep as delivered? Yes. Original? You decide.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2014
  4. Apr 26, 2014
    pamela

    pamela Member

    RAMSEY IN
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2006
    Messages:
    113
    thanks for input . then i guess i need to ask is if you had rollbar and cushions would you put them back on or leave them off .
     
  5. Apr 26, 2014
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    Opinions vary on this here. If you're going to be off roading, most will suggest that you have a roll bar at least, if not a cage. Some wouldn't drive a JEEP without a roll bar, period. Others like the look of them without the roll bar, as they came from the factory. It's personal preference to some degree and, safety to another.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2014
    pamela

    pamela Member

    RAMSEY IN
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2006
    Messages:
    113
    wont be doing any off roading
     
  7. Apr 26, 2014
    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
    The safety issue is undeniable. I've never rolled a jeep in 40 years, but if I did I'd want the protection.

    But personally I feel a roll bar is not the right look for an early jeep. And not much value without adding seat belts. Where I go jeeping it would hang up on trees etc. I take my chances without.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2014
    pamela

    pamela Member

    RAMSEY IN
    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2006
    Messages:
    113
    thanks for all the input i'm leaning towards no rollbar i do like the look better
     
  9. Apr 26, 2014
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
    Messages:
    8,102
    Understand that there are tradeoffs & risks. If you elect to go without a roll bar (& for highway use I'd actually recommend a full cage) seatbelts may prove to be counter productive-

    http://www.tantel.ca/Tonka_accident.html

    H.
     
  10. Apr 26, 2014
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    I took off the roll bar because the look is better, and it was not legally mandatory. But if the car is sold with the roll bar as standard and mandatory, we must keep it. You can see the difference with photos below.
    By the way, the CJ5 is a good car for roll over, so no belt, be ready to jump... or get a strong roll-bar.
    How to drive without roll-bar?
    That's not so easy, the solution is to have good suspension, good tyres and drive slowly, in curbs do not accelerate strong, do not turn the steering wheel brutally, take care of angles on slopes, crossing ditches...
    My idea is to drive my Jeep like a motorcycle, because when in 2 wheels drive, it is a propulsion, there are some tricks to understand.

    with roll-bar : it can be safer
    [​IMG]

    Without roll-bar : the look is better, more "vintage". And we can drive where low branches of tree.
    [​IMG]
     
    heavychevy likes this.
  11. Apr 27, 2014
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    For what it's worth in my opinion..........neither of these two quotes above should ever be used in the same context as a reason to not or to consider a "roll bar or roll cage".............The only correct context or reason to even consider one is purely "Safety".

    Lets face it being in a Jeep is like being in a topless Tin Can. And if you do add a Cage , Bar , belts or harness's and do not secure it to the frame.....the likelihood of injuries with or without is about a tossup!

    I have rolled over a Jeep twice while off road ............a slow roll but in either case not something I planned on or was looking forward to that day , but accidents do happen!
    In both case's we all survived except perhaps my pride , a broken windshield , some bent sheet metal and a cooler that spilled out our soft drinks. Trivial things of course , but most injuries I have seen occur when folks stick there hands & arm out somehow thinking that they can stop the inevitable.........Had either time been in a different place where the Jeep could have rolled a few more times then things could have gotten real interesting.

    I understand everyone has an opinion!
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2014
  12. Apr 27, 2014
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    The PO of my Jeep flipped it at 45 MPH (slid sideways on an icy bridge, then hit dry pavement).
    The rollbar and seat belts literally saved his life. This was just the simple hoop bolted to the rear wheelwells, like most early CJ's came with.
    The bar was bent over to one side at about a 20 degree angle, but he walked away.
    I do like the look of a stock Jeep with no rollbar, but the safety factor has to be considered.
     
  13. Apr 27, 2014
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
    Messages:
    2,327
    Obviously the CJ5 is well-known for "rolling" due to size, gravity center, etc... and this is why there is roll-bar.

    I just took it off, the look is better, but if I had to use my Jeep more, I'll put the roll-bar on.

    Meanwhile, I drive very carefully, like on a (old) motorcycle.
     
  14. Aug 28, 2018
    tripilio

    tripilio Proud American!

    Miami
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2018
    Messages:
    930
    Does any one knows where can I get someone to bend the tubing for my 62 CJ5 in South Florida? Or maybe a kit I can get? I can weld it, I just don't have the pipe (or tubing :rolleyes:) bending capabilities. I want something that would also protect the heads of the passengers sitting in the rear seat, so the traditional arch with the angle-positioned support needs to be beefed up somehow. Any ideas are welcomed!
     
  15. Aug 28, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Check your local 4x4/Jeep clubs and/or bulletin boards. There's typically somebody doing this kind of stuff as a side business, and you can get referrals and recommendations from the boards and clubs. You may find somebody that will just bend the tubing for you, but likely they'll want to weld it for you too.

    If you search the net, there are places that sell kits. Shipping might be prohibitive. Example - CJ roll bar, cj roll cage, cj5 roll bar,cj5 roll cage, jeep cage,cj7 roll bar,cj7 roll cage,Willys roll bar,willys cage, mb roll bar,m38 roll bar, cj8 roll bar - I expect you'll do better locally.

    It's not pipe, it's tubing, either electrically welded ERW or mandrel drawn DOM. Most racing organizations now require DOM exclusively. I would not skimp on material for something safety related.
     
  16. Aug 28, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    Messages:
    2,754
    all the jeepers that don't sport a sport bar, what do you do for a top? I would get one just for the bikini top. its too hot without one for me.
     
  17. Aug 28, 2018
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,231
    I would consider bending conduit and making a bow for the side holes in the body. Then modify a bikini top to fit it.
     
    heavychevy likes this.
  18. Aug 29, 2018
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Please report back about your experience after your first rollover.

    I haven't been driving Jeeps for 40 years but I have rolled Jeeps on their sides and fronts in a few occasions. The worst was during a race when a steering knuckle arm broke, the wheels splayed wide open, and I endo'd and rolled on my passenger side. Jeep still has the scars from that episode. If not for the full cage I'd probably be dead. The high back seat (not a race rated seat) folded to the side The Jeep landed on wrenching my back to that side. Something most people don't consider (I didn't). Basically the seat back bent to the passenger side at about an 80 degree angle taking the seat belts and me with it.
    Any cage should be tied to the frame as was mentioned. This one was not and still saved my arse. Mounted to good solid wheel wells and front floor pans. That same tub is still in use and is still solid. Down the road it will be tied to the frame.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2018
  19. Aug 29, 2018
    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
    Obviously our cases are quite different. I am not racing my jeep.

    There is a spectrum of legitimate choices in any situation.

    Do you wear a helmet in your daily driver? Yet I have witnessed horrific head injuries (including gruesome fatalities) in everyday passenger vehicles.
     
    Alan28 likes this.
  20. Aug 29, 2018
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    I don’t have a roll bar on my jeep because I don’t like the way they look on a flat fender with the windshield down. I wheel smartly and avoid dangerous situations with it. If a trail is too sketchy, I don’t go down it. Just be smart and enjoy.
     
    Alan28 likes this.
New Posts