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Has anyone put a roll cage in their 80? Anyone selling kits, or doing installs? Thanks.
Cage for the 80's?
- Thread starter straightblast
- Start date
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I heard a rumour that metal tech was doing something like it. Check out their ad banner here
http://www.ih8mud.com/ads.php#banners
http://www.ih8mud.com/ads.php#banners
Phil (LandCruiserPhil) has the best roll cage! 
All custom cage ! I talked to Metaltech a few weeks ago, and stay tuned.
All custom cage ! I talked to Metaltech a few weeks ago, and stay tuned. 
Being as tall as I am a cage really isn't a possibility for me. That said, from looking at the pics of rolled 80s it seems to hold it's own in that respect. The A pillar does collapse but the occupants have walked away. Does anyone think a cage would substantially reduce this making it a worth while endeavour?
I've thought about this a lot. From the forward edge of the sliders, up to just above the hood line, bend back and follow the A pillar up, over the top and back down the other side. I'm thinking 2.5" chromoly thick walled tube for this piece. All one chunk 20' long. OK, so I can dream?
Brace with a gusseted piece horizontal over the air inlet vents.
Bring a 2nd piece off the ARB/slee or whatever chunk of iron you have up front. Remove the flares. Follow the flare line up/over and back to brace the vertical A pillar one in a gusseted joint.
Do a brace the the 2nd piece above from the top of the ARB to where the 2nd piece levels out at the top of the wheel wells.
That should do it for the A pillar, which covers the big weakness.
I think the 80 is built so as you really don't need one, and as for the exo I would rather have a few dents than a rig that looks like it's driving around in a bird cage....but that's just me
I agree that I'd rather have a bit of rock rash than an exo-cage on the 80, but I am excited to see what metal tech comes up with.
For those of you without factory sunroofs, Safety Devices makes a nice bolt in roll cage.
For those of you without factory sunroofs, Safety Devices makes a nice bolt in roll cage.
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The one thing I have not looked into yet is head-room from left side of head to door sill. That is where a cage would worry me a bit in a passenger side leading roll at speed. The wrong cage could add to the potential for a head slap.
Although I think there is a lot to be desired in roof crush testing over what FMVSS 216 tests...I need to look into the 'net a little deeper and see if there are any test results out there on the LC. It had to be tested, question is are the photos of testing online.
With some caveats as to design, and what the design does (if anything significant) to cog, I am a believer in more structure = better.
Build it amigo
I want to show a picture to somebody so I can have one made down here in Mexico. As for the bird cage comments
I am really tall--have about an extra 1" above my head.
Build it amigo
Its after the list of parts I've already bought and not installed.
The list... in no particular order. These are what I already have the parts for. Just need it to be warmer than 0* in my garage and have time.
Rear hitch / brace for gas tank
Gas tank MAF 24gal
Rods & Ends - Slee
Starter
Seat rail extensions
Lighting Harness - Slee
John Deere HIR flood lamp for backup light
John Deere HIR spot lights for front light reinforcement
John Deere HIR flood lamps for front/side floods
I do have a real clear mental picture of a front exo. I'm not going to do the back since it is so much less likely to crush.
A photographic imagination and a pornographic memory.
In the "Show off Your Body Damage" post, I noticed that there was quite a few folks that had significant body damage from the rear axle to the rear bumper, including the taillights. I was considering limiting the exo protection to the rear, mainly to protect the glass, flares, tailights and bumper.
I'm leaning towards a removable rear section of cage that would bolt underneath where the hitch is connected and go up and over the roof with 2 ribs with cross members across the glass and flares. Keeping it from being a hook at the nader side of the rear door is where I'm stuck. I would still like to be able to open the rear doors.
If I could find a good deal on a shop quality bender, or if someone has a reasonably priced suggestion, I am open to suggestions. I have all of the other necessary fab tools. If anyone thinks this is a crappy idea, let me know. I've been searching for a solution to the "hook" issue, if anyone can help, it would be much apprieciated.
I'm leaning towards a removable rear section of cage that would bolt underneath where the hitch is connected and go up and over the roof with 2 ribs with cross members across the glass and flares. Keeping it from being a hook at the nader side of the rear door is where I'm stuck. I would still like to be able to open the rear doors.
If I could find a good deal on a shop quality bender, or if someone has a reasonably priced suggestion, I am open to suggestions. I have all of the other necessary fab tools. If anyone thinks this is a crappy idea, let me know. I've been searching for a solution to the "hook" issue, if anyone can help, it would be much apprieciated.
straightblast, I've seen enough pictures here of roll overs and high speed frontal impacts to feel confident that the LC's structure will do it's job. In the case that happens I'll probably ditch the truck and buy another one.
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landtank, there was a photo or 3 up about the guy that rolled a sweet LC that had a canoe on the top...at very low speed. That crush spooked me a bit, I would have thought it would be less...but without knowing how far the vehicle fell, that thought could be dead wrong.
Beno's roll showed an amazing structure.
If someone builds one, I will look hard at it for the wife's LC, the kids are in it 99% of the time.
These LC's are tough as south hell though. Wife took our '91 off an icey road into a telephone pole...moved the pole and hammered the front frame horns some (have a massive homemade bumper / grill cover on...that did not bend at all), mangled a few pieces but it is back fixed and steady as can be. After that, we had a similar front made for the '96. Both have been great on deer strikes...just hose the hide out and get back to business.
Beno's roll showed an amazing structure.
If someone builds one, I will look hard at it for the wife's LC, the kids are in it 99% of the time.
These LC's are tough as south hell though. Wife took our '91 off an icey road into a telephone pole...moved the pole and hammered the front frame horns some (have a massive homemade bumper / grill cover on...that did not bend at all), mangled a few pieces but it is back fixed and steady as can be. After that, we had a similar front made for the '96. Both have been great on deer strikes...just hose the hide out and get back to business.
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Yes, they all seem to cave in but just so far regardless of force. There is one out there where Scott drove into a parked crane on the side of the highway at high speed. The passenger compartment was amazingly intact.
Remember though guys, we're not likely to hear about fatalities. Drive safe & all that so you don't raise my insurance rates.
I think the 80 that rolled with the canoe was NickW up in Canada?
Wrench on MUD also rolled his 80 with serious damage (he had a roll cage installed in his rig afterwards).
Mine was at high speeds but I also landed on a 2 foot thick layer of snow....
this DEFINITELY saved me from more serious body damage if I had hit hard pavement or the median directly.
Wrench on MUD also rolled his 80 with serious damage (he had a roll cage installed in his rig afterwards).
Mine was at high speeds but I also landed on a 2 foot thick layer of snow....
this DEFINITELY saved me from more serious body damage if I had hit hard pavement or the median directly.