Metaltech Cage height/install

[Wildman]

Anybody get me a measurement or a definite answer as to if soft/hard top will fit over this thing? Because of the floor and the tub being Kustom I am concerned that its sitting too high. The MT guys are saying that all tops should fit over their cages no problem.

That red door jam piece is a chunk of hard top that I had planed on using as patch panels for my bows. It makes a good reference point though.

There are more pictures on
Pictures by Wildman_fab - Photobucket

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

What height are you getting from the bed to the top of the cage?

 

[TJFJ]

Should be fine. I've got ~50" from floor to ceiling at the steering wheel and ~51 1/2" at the B pillar.

Remember, the top is domed.

 

[ehsankiani]

Hello there
From the pictures, it looks just a bit over the height of our tops and bows. I will get a measurement for you and post it here though.
Ehsan

 

[Bodean]

We've installed several Metal Tech cages without any height adjustment and had no hard top issuses.

 

[brew8]

I have insstlled several cages with both factory soft top and Ehsan soft and hard top, no problem, making sure you have door clearance and wiper motors is more important. Especially with early wing windows, cheers, Larry

 

[Bodean]

Yeah, definately install the cage with the doors on the rig. Several have learned that the hard way! (not me).

Later,

 

[Wildman]

I have an aftermarket tub and the floors may or may not be in stock locations that is my main concern. I have not trimmed the tubs at all, just notched and tacked up. Then I realized how much above the windshield frame it was. I mocked it up with late model hard doors for just that reason, the soft doors are so much thinner the cage placement wont matter too much. I was very impresed by how close the cage is to the dash pad, and door.

Couple more pictures
Tight fit here:

View from the back

Side view with the cross bar tacked up

My measurements:
Frotn drivers side floor through wheel to top of Apillar bar: 49 3/4
Rear main floor (past bump up behind seats) to center of main hoop: 44 1/2
I also have about a half inch between the hard top rails and the outside of the main hoop I am asuming this will be enough.

 

[cjgoode]

It does not look to high to me. Hard top goes up from the windshield and back. From the pics I would not think a hard top would have any problems. What you need is someone with this cage to measure how far back from the windshield and how far above the windshield it goes.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Patrick, the measurement from the bed to the top of the rear OEM soft top bow is 47.24" (1200mm). That means nothing to you if Wally put the rear bed at a different height than OEM.

What are your inside wheelwell dimensions?

 

[Wildman]

Exactly, but I am more concerned with the height of the front floor more than the rear. I am positive the rear will fit now that I have your measurement. I had rely bad rust in the sills and floor, ended up completely starting over with a sheet of 1/8in but because wally uses a piece of 90deg stock for the rockers (on the outside) I dont know where that 'locates' the floor. IF that makes any sence at all.

Chris hit the nail on the head, I am trying to see how far above the windshield I can be and still fit a top.

The Red piece in the 2nd picture is a chopped off piece of hard top, its full height except for the drip rail and white fiberglass top (obviously)

My fenders are 7in tall and 11.5 in wide.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

If I measure from the center of my steering wheel straight up to the soft top and give you that measurement, would that help? I picked the steering wheel becasue it's probably in the same spot on my truck as it is on your truck.

 

[vfrer]

On the front I got 48 1/4 to the top of the windshield and 49 1/4 to the top of the cage... also about 3" above the top of the door...

 

[Wildman]

Excellent thank you! That picture is exactly what mine looks like!
Coming from a mini truck back ground I had no idea how much fudge room there is in these things where a cage is concerned.

I took matters into my own hands this afternoon (instead of sitting on my butt worrying about if this thing was going to fit or not) I went to a buddys shop and pirated his ratty hard top its ugly, rusty, and the fiberglass is about to fall apart. BUT it worked.

It has no rubber gaskets between the fiberglass or the sides and tub so I figure it will sit a good 1/2in higher.... PLENTY of room.

Looks like I can put off welding up the soft top bows for a while longer too.

 

[tmarx]

Any folks out there that have done/seen a Metal Tech cage in a RHD 40? Seems the gas pedal location might be a problem ? Any pics please

 

[crustyBJ60]

Any folks out there that have done/seen a Metal Tech cage in a RHD 40? Seems the gas pedal location might be a problem ? Any pics please

give me about another week or so

the only problem i have noticed is the hood release on the 83/84's hits the "A" pillar, just.

accelerator clears just fine.

cheers
crusty

 

[crustyBJ60]

cheers
crusty

 

[dancar]

crusty,

is that a metaltech or one that you are fabricating up yourself?

Keep the pics coming - I am wanting to get something similar over here in south oz.

Dan

 

[crustyBJ60]

crusty,

is that a metaltech or one that you are fabricating up yourself?

Keep the pics coming - I am wanting to get something similar over here in south oz.

Dan

yes, it's a metaltech. brought it over when i moved here. the best design out there IMHO.

would be spendy to import one, unless you can get a deal on some cheap shipping.

cheers
crusty

 

[Wildman]

I realized I never put up finished pics of how I modified it.