roll cage

[jonnyslick]

where can i get a roll cage for my '78 F150? or will this have to be something custom made? i was really looking for something i could just bolt/weld in ... like from autopower or something.

[J.JOHNSON]

Custom made only.

[jonnyslick]

anyone know anything about this company:

says they have 1949-2000 roll cage kits for ford trucks.

http://web.inetba.com/autoweld/rbc.ivnu

[151fab]

The only way to correctly build a roll cage is to have the vehicle at the shop that’s building it. Now if the company that you speak of has an example of each of the vehicles they have a cage for, available to them for mock-up than your in business. However, looking at the list of over a hundred vehicles they have cages for, I have my doubts. If they had that many cars and trucks of that vintage they sure as hell wouldn't be manufacturing cheap cages. I'd call them up and ask them how they have fit these cages to all those vehicles, just for fun. If your looking for generic, bolt-in, bang your knees roll cages than Summit and Jegs sell Competition Engineering brand and I think Smitty Built has some built out of muffler tubing or something as well. If you want something that will support the weigh of your vehicle as you tumble across the desert I'd suggest calling up a reputable fab shop. Remember: Bling kills...

Seriously, it depends on the use you have intended for the truck. Get a quote from a fab shop for a custom cage that way you know what quality work costs, then compare everything else to that. You'll get what you pay for and if you ever plan on racing; those cages from that website are made of the wrong material. You need 2"x.120 for score and 1.75"x.120 elsewhere. Make sure it's 4130 or DOM not ERW, no matter what you use it for!

[Triaged]

These guys make pre-bent cages for lots of stuff. They are NHRA type stuff but you might be able to talk them into different wall thickness or OD. I have never used one. It might not be a bad start for a weekend play toy if you don't have a bender and like to do all your own work.

http://www.swracecars.com
Part number:
11-3560-DOM

10 Point Roll Cage
78 & later F150 and Full Size Bronco, 1-3/4" x .120" wall DOM tubing
Price : US$499.95

[mrmatt]

On the topic of roll cages, I am a little unclear as to the Score rules. I do not have the rule book in front of me but in reference to how the cage is attached it says something about when mounted to the floor pan there needs to be plates.

The question:
Do the rules allow you to attach the main hoops to the floor of the vehicle (ie. baja, truck, etc.)?
If so, how sturdy is that?

Mr Matt

[madmyres]

I believe it say "doubler plates" (one on top and one below the floor pan)....I have a rule book in the truck I'll go get it in a few and give you the exact language.

[madmyres]

The SCORE Rule says:

"Cab or body mounted cages must not be attached to the body structure by direct welding, but must be bolted through and attached by the use of doubler plates (one on either side) with a minimum thickness of .187" "

Also, bolts/nuts have got to be a minimum diameter of 0.375" and SAE grade 8 or equal

[mrmatt]

How sturdy is it to attach to the cab floor versus attaching to frame? Any pros or cons to doing it this way?

Mr. Matt

Thanx Mad for the correct wording!

[mrmatt]

While on this topic, Does anyone have pics of caged Ford ranger with the stock dash retained that they could post up?

[madmyres]

MrMatt,

Do a search for "roll cage plate", There are many threads that discuss using plates at the body. I would say the general consensus is to run them to the frame although I am far from being at the level of some of the fabricators that post here.

Since the floor pan on my full size stock build was majorly cracked prior to me starting, it was a real easy choice for me (Cage directly to the frame). Going to the frame first and then connecting the cage to the body at various points should help tie the body/cage/frame together for a stronger design overall.

Of course, I am sure I will be "CYBER NERFED" by one of these real fabricators if I have stated anything that is debatable :D

Now, I have got to go get ready for my trip to Infineon............. Have a good weekend!

[mrmatt]

Have fun and thanx for the information.

[mrmatt]

I am still a little unclear though. SCORE and the other orgs. do allow a cage to be attached to the cab floor?

[madmyres]

I believe that mounting the cage to the floor is cab floor is acceptable. There illustrated figure in the rule book shows a tube coming down to the to a top plate welded with gussets and a seperate bottom plate that should bolt up to the top with the floor pan sandwiched in between.


I must say though, one thing I have learned from surfing the RDC forum would be, to call Bill Savage with SCORE tech if you are unsure about your design (the man with the answers). I know his number has beeen posted many times on this forum.

[mrmatt]

Right on.
I am trying to decide wether or not I want to construct my own cage or have a professional do it. I am leaning towards the pro. My wallet hates it but saftey is one thing I don't want to skimp on.
Thanx again for your time.

[Polarcub]

Matt, SCORE and the others will allow a cab mounted cage only if you have the doubler plates to attatch it to the frame. THe cage needs to be attatched to the frame in some form or fashion, with tthe cage bolted/welded to the cab you run the risk in a roll of the cage puncturing the cab/body and then you will have no rollcage. There arre some other reasons as well, personally I like the doubler plates as they allow you to keep the truck a little cleaner on looks, also you can add a rubber bushing to help quiet it down.

[DUMP!]

This is a really simple issue. The rule you are reading was writen with a stock volkswagon bug in mind. The floor pan is the frame. If you build a truck or other type of vehicle that has a proper stock frame you must connect the roll cage to the stock frame or you will never pass tech. If you have anymore questions I would suggest calling Bill Savage at 760 727-1458 and discuss it with him instead of getting second hand info here.

Dump

[moabWalker]

An interesting ruberic on http://web.inetba.com/autoweld/rbc.ivnu

"If you don't see a roll bar on this site for your particular application, here is a way that you can help us bend a custom cage for you. Below are drawings with the dimensions areas indicated, that we would need to bend up a cage for you."

[151fab]

moabwalker, you put alot of faith in your customers ability to correctly measure their rig. Interesting...

[moabWalker]

Did you think that it was my diagram? Or my product? Clearly you don't know me. I thought that it was a good place that I could start putting down numbers for my own use. I know some people would bend each tube by eye and make it all fit, thats not for me. Personally I made a drawing like this when I built the cage on my Bronco but it wasn't as professional looking. This is something that you could fill out and make changes to after installing the cage and learning about "clearances".

Honestly one of the first things that I thought when I saw the diagram was that this company is setting itself up for some consumer conflict when the tubes invariably do not line up the way they where "measured". Good point fab, if customers are incapable of building the cage, having them measure for it would be a disaster.

[151fab]

An interesting ruberic on http://web.inetba.com/autoweld/rbc.ivnu

"If you don't see a roll bar on this site for your particular application, here is a way that you can help us bend a custom cage for you. Below are drawings with the dimensions areas indicated, that we would need to bend up a cage for you."

I assumed that you were soliciting your services and offering these documents as a 'fill in the blank' blueprint for said services. I must have misunderstood you. My apologies.:)

[.CAL.Photo.]

While on this topic, Does anyone have pics of caged Ford ranger with the stock dash retained that they could post up?

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Check out RangerDude's posts and 818 prerunners' posts

[mrmatt]

Thanks! THose are awesome cages. I really appreciate the help.

[mrmatt]

I was just askd the questrion about roll cages being painted not being able to pass tech. I have never heard that because the 9 car i have ran has a powder coated chassis so I assume that it is okay to paint the cage on a truck. Am I correct?

[WOOPRDR]

You do not have to have bare metal to be able to check for cracks and tubing thickness (just make sure you dont grind down the welds and bondo them in- haha!). Robby's chassis is also powdercoated- I think it is safe to say paint is ok.

[mrmatt]

No BONDO! How would you ever get the cage to hold together?:D

Thanx for the answer.

[mrmatt]

Another cage question.... Is 1 1/2" DOM acceptable on a Ranger for class 1400 in MORE and MDR?
I am looking at a truck that has already been caged and just wondering if it would pass inspection for local events

Thanx

[Bulldozer]

Another cage question.... Is 1 1/2" DOM acceptable on a Ranger for class 1400 in MORE and MDR?
I am looking at a truck that has already been caged and just wondering if it would pass inspection for local events

Thanx

I believe 1.5x.120 tubing is okay as long as it was built before the new rules were made requiring 1.75x1.20