[vtcruiser60]

Couldn't find the answer about how much paint when I did a search, but figured it out last night. I used two cans of Industrial Rustoleum gray primer and two cans of Industrial Rustoleum glossy black. Each can was just under 16 oz. There are certainly more abrasion (tree limbs, birds, etc.) resistant coatings, but for the initial cost and touch up factor, I thought these cans worked really nicely.

This thread also delves into installing a Metaltech Cage into an Aqualu Tub. I altered the title to reflect the content a bit better.....and help others down the road.

[beavf16]

Looks nice. I'm painting my stock rollcage the exact same color this weekend. Going to POR-15 it first, though (if I have any left from painting the tub).

[camcruiser13]

the nice thing is that you can touch it up, just a little quick spray

[nicholastheczar]

Did you weld it together yourself or did you buy it pre assembled?

[vtcruiser60]

Originally Posted by nicholastheczar

Did you weld it together yourself or did you buy it pre assembled?

welded it myself.

I have read about the pre-assembled units as well as some critiques of Metaltech for not sending out directions with their kits. The truth is that a pre-assembled unit or directions would not have helped me at all. I am running a Aqualu tub and the rear sill differs a bit from the stock tub. My friends and I had to abandon our use of the stock mounting holes and placement of the base plates. Everything fits, but within 1/2 inch of door frames, rear quarters, etc. Anyway...Took a day to tack everything in and another half day for gusseting, cleaning the weld areas, degreasing...final welding took 90 minutes.

[apeterson]

cant wait to see what that looks like in your truck... been thinking about one like that for mine...

[albee]

Your cage looks great. If you need a hand lifting it into your cruiser let me know. I have been following your build thread, and would like to check out all of your great work.

Albee

[Eshu Elegua]

great..that's the one that i need on my 76..when santa came in dec. lol

[S4Cruiser]

The timing of this thread couldn't be better. I had almost decided on the Jackson Cage from MT as I have an Aquala tub too. I thought the full cage wouldn't fit b/c of the corners in the rear Aquala tub but see you made it work.

Can't wait for pics of it in the truck and some more details about changes you had to make for it to fit.

Looks great!
-Jon

[cruzersoul]

If you dont mind me asking. How much was the cage. I know the cage is from metal tech but which one is it.

-Cruzersoul-

[vtcruiser60]

Originally Posted by S4Cruiser

The timing of this thread couldn't be better. I had almost decided on the Jackson Cage from MT as I have an Aquala tub too. I thought the full cage wouldn't fit b/c of the corners in the rear Aquala tub but see you made it work.

Can't wait for pics of it in the truck and some more details about changes you had to make for it to fit.

Looks great!
-Jon

Jon...I am sure Lance can accommodate your switch to a full family cage. They are the only east coast vendor of the MT cages, at least I believe that is a true statement.

As for fitment...the Metaltech family cage will fit an Aqualu aluminum tub, but the rear sill plates cannot be used with the stock holes as designed. Well, they can, but you may not be able to remove the cage if you weld it in place. The rear quarter panel on an Aqualu tub has a triangular edge on the inner panel. This overhangs the wheel well by approximately 4 inches, and causes an overhang over the MT mounting plate by about two inches. To mount the cage you need to move the mounting plate forward towards the firewall and overhang the wheel well by an inch or so. This area of the mounting plate can be cut back to the edge of the wheel well.

The overhang is shown in the pic. And before someone notices...the dissimilar gussets are just that. The one on the left is for strength, the one on the right is for tie downs. I have also attached a stock photo of an Aqualu tub showing the overhangs.

[vtcruiser60]

This one is a full family cage. I am not sure of their current pricing but know that it is available online. I think I paid under $600, but I also picked it up from their shop in Oregon while we were doing a coast to coast family roadtrip.

Originally Posted by cruzersoul

If you dont mind me asking. How much was the cage. I know the cage is from metal tech but which one is it.

-Cruzersoul-

[voltaire]

1974 fj40 Roll Cage modified metaltech cage...

[BrianSanDiego]

Hi VT,
Your cage looks great! Good job.

I'm getting ready to paint my MT cage also. What did you use to clean the oil off the tubes before you painted it? I haven't done much painting myself, but have read that water with TSP works well.

Thanks, B.

[Droopz]

Autobot huh? :P

Do have a build up thread or more shots of the rig?

[vtcruiser60]

Originally Posted by BrianSanDiego

Hi VT,
Your cage looks great! Good job.

I'm getting ready to paint my MT cage also. What did you use to clean the oil off the tubes before you painted it? I haven't done much painting myself, but have read that water with TSP works well.

Thanks, B.

My welding is not great so I try to prep my welding surface as best as possible. I clean the joints with either a grinding wheel or flap wheel, then wipe clean with prep-all. A gallon goes a long way and is cheap, like $10. I have used brake cleaner and other solvents, but for welding prep-all works best for me.

The TSP sounds interesting, but caustic to work with. I suspect you are etching the metal with the TSP. With a prep-all you would be floating contaminants to the surface, then wiping clean. With the TSP you might lodge the contaminants into the metal. Just thinking out loud....