Roll Cage

Oct 2000

Background | Installation | Cost | Postscript

Background

I bought the cage kit in Sept of 1997, shortly after I got the jeep. Due to an endless string of other problems, I did not get a chance to install it until October of 2000. I wanted to get it in before I had to put the soft top back on for the winter, so I asked for suggestions where to have it done. Fellow Bushhacker, Jim W. offered to help me, so I jumped at the chance.

Installation

In preparation from the install, I took out the seats. And cleared the interior of anything that could be damaged by welding slag. We also had a welding blanket that we used to protect the dash and windshield.

In the 3 years that the kit was in my garage, I managed to lose the base supports, so I bought some 1/4"x4" steel to make new ones. We cut it to 10" and drilled 3/8" bolt holes in each corner. We also rounded each corner for a more finished look. We ended up with a base support that is stronger and better distributes the load that the original.

We then positioned the front bar and held it in place with duct tape while Jim tacked the bottom to the bases we made. We then removed the bar and finished welding the bar to the bases. I put some rust inhibiting spray paint on the areas that will be up near the dash and hard to get to later.

Next, we folded down the windshield and put the bar back in. We bolted the bases through the floorboard to hold it solid. We then held the spanners in place and marked them for cutting. Once they were cut to length, I ground a notch in each one to fit around the front bar. Jim then tacked them into place and we checked the fit. I looked good, so he finished the welds.

I put the windshield back up, but the new bar was in the way of the screws that hold it in place. I had to grind the plastic corners off the screws so they would clear the bar. I then put the seats back in and went home.

I still need to do some grinding to clean up the weld where Jim had to fill large gaps due to my bad notching job. I then need to finish painting it.

I will be glad to have the additional safety and piece of mind that the full cage provides.

Cost

Postscript