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Why don't roll cages go all the way back?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Jobhater, Jun 5, 2009.

  1. Jobhater

    Jobhater A man without a Jeep

    Just looking at roll cages in CJ6s, I'm wondering, why don't they go all the way back to the rear of the jeep? I see them mostly coming up about 1 foot short. (As in, 1 foot shy of the rear of the jeep.) Why is that? I know nothing about roll cages, but will eventually get one made for my -6.

    Look at the last picture on this webpage. This is what I'm talking about. Other jeeps do the same thing. http://www.boyink.com/splaat/ssdutch/
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2009
    Jobhater, Jun 5, 2009
    #1
  2. bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    mostly to make sure it clears the soft top/ hardware. mine goes all the way back, but I built it myself.
    Jim S.
     
    bkd, Jun 5, 2009
    #2
  3. 1974Sixer

    1974Sixer Member

    I've seen a few too that look like they were taken off of cj5 bodies. Obviously those are going to be shorter.

    Personally, when I get to putting a roll cage on my six, I'm sort of leaning towards a slopped back so that I can add a sort of fast back canvas top. I think that would float my boat nicely.
     
    1974Sixer, Jun 5, 2009
    #3
  4. Jobhater

    Jobhater A man without a Jeep

    I was planning on getting a soft top, then having the roll cage made to fit under the top. Would that work? Or would the installation of the soft top be impossible with a roll cage?
     
    Jobhater, Jun 5, 2009
    #4
  5. bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    here's my cage
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    good profile shot
    [​IMG]
    and with the soft top installed
    [​IMG]
    hope that helps....Jim S.
     
    bkd, Jun 5, 2009
    #5
  6. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    that's the way I would do it.
     
    jpflat2a, Jun 5, 2009
    #6
  7. 1974Sixer

    1974Sixer Member

    Jim, that's a nice cage for sure!
     
    1974Sixer, Jun 5, 2009
    #7
  8. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    It was a point of contention between the rollcage builder and me. I asked for it to go all the way back and he built it so the softtop would swing down without having to be disconnected. I had other issues with the guy and ended up just accepting it. It does make dealing with the softtop easier and it does make putting beach stuff in and out easier.

    Otoh I haven't had the top on in well over a year now...: (

    I can still --at 6'3" -- sit in the rear seat with enough head and leg room so functionally it's fine.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
    Boyink, Jun 5, 2009
    #8
  9. Jobhater

    Jobhater A man without a Jeep

    I'm glad you say that. I'm 6'3" also. Great pictures!!
     
    Jobhater, Jun 6, 2009
    #9
  10. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    That is the way I build my cage as well. Just finished one for the neighbor and he doesn't have a top to worry about. I am going to do one for a Scrambler in a few weeks by having the top on - tack - pull top - weld.

    Let me know if you want to come by and check it out.
     
    Warloch, Jun 6, 2009
    #10
  11. Reds

    Reds New Member

    I'm curious as to the strength/effectiveness of a roll cage that is attached to the rear fender sheetmetal. I know that there is a mounting bracket that spreads the load out over a bigger area. Has anyone seen one of these jeeps that has rolled over? Did the roll cage "work"? I am rebuilding a '69 CJ5 and am contemplating moving the rear rollbar strut inward to mount it directly to the frame rails. Obviously there won't be room for a rear seat if I do this. Do you think I'm wasting my time altering the cage? I suspect that the factory mounting for the cage would be sufficient or they would have designed it differently, but it still concerns me.
     
    Reds, Jun 7, 2009
    #11
  12. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Big can of worms discussion there...;)

    Remember the frames on early CJ's are designed to be flexible. If you tie the cage to the frame you'll run the risk of cracking the frame over time due to stiffening one section but not the rest. IMHO box the entire frame if you do tie the cage in.

    You can also tie the cage in from the bottom -- still leaving it attached to the fenders with better inside clearance.

    My cage is just bolted to the body in 6 places with inner and outer plates of different sizes. With the seats and seat belts all integrated it gives me the comfort level I need for the wheeling I do.

    I did roll my previous CJ5 with a full cage bolted to body only -- and it fared well in a 1 3/4 sideways roll. I couldn't find anywhere where the body/cage connections even looked stressed.
     
    Boyink, Jun 7, 2009
    #12
  13. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    If you want - PM me and I'll load pics of my Oldest's 46 after he totaled it. Cage ties to the body.

    For many reasons (a search will bring them up) - I don't like ties to the frame.
     
    Warloch, Jun 7, 2009
    #13