How hard is it to put together a Metaltech family cage? (1 Viewer)

[alex e]

I'm a newb, who'd love to make a cage, but can't bend or weld and Metaltech seems like a good deal. Is getting these in a PITA? What's the hardest part? Should I let a pro do it?


alex

 

[ranger]

Depends on your fab skills. Its not a direct fit item so cutting, notching, and fitting is required. Then there is welding, if you aren't a good welder let a pro do it.

 

[esh]

4 bananas

 

[mustardfj40]

I do not trust my welding but I can tack things together, so what I did was fitting the case together myself (which took a lots time and effort and actually was the hard part), then I tack-welded them toghether and drove it to professional welder who finished the actual welding. Thanked God the guy and his buddy work on cruisers so they know a bit about fitting a cage into a FJ40.

 

[Bodean]

Or just buy the pre built cage. If you can't weld and you will have to pay someone to do it then the prebuilt is the way to go. If you do decide to buy the kit then feel confident that everything will be bent right. You will have to fit every piece though. Only one end of the spreader bars etc are notched. They do this because not every Cruiser is the same. If the truck hasn't been wheeled hard (body not tweaked) then the prebuilt is the way I would go. Call Mark @ MT and he will steer you the right way. It took us a good day to fit and weld everyting when we did mine. Good luck.

Later,

 

[wct49]

#1 rule on the family cage.

make sure your welder is not hung over when he gets started.

 

[grasshopper]

Bull gives a good idea of a metal tech family cage install in his Colonel build:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/98297-project-colonel-1979-fj40.html

Convinced me that when I eventually go metal tech to have someone with skills do it right.

 

[40's rock]

Alex, check to see if they are coming to Round Up....save you a boat load on shipping. I talked to them last year at Round Up and they are very easy to work with....why dont you buy me one while your at it and I will install yours...I'm just that nice!

 

[alex e]

Damn good idea....lemme finish this 40 first, as wife may notice large cage shaped hole in checking account! I also have no idea how straight my tub is, if it comes down to brass tacks. Isn't Butch a dealer?

I'll trade you a cage for a new 454, Perry!

 

[Isotel]

Another idea is to Tack it all together, Then bring it to a Welding shop, or Find someone who will come to you.. have him Burn in the welds.

 

[mustardfj40]

Needless to say, the shop mentioned they would tell the next guy to bring in a "kit" to go jump off a cliff

I agree with John, usually a shop doesn't like the idea of putting another shop's cage together. If you're going to have a shop fit the cage together for you, make sure that you can still close your hard doors, no inference with window cranks, or put the hard top back on,...So that is why working with a shop that familiar with FJ40 is helpful.

/td

 

[77TLCFJ40]

MetalTech builds a great cage. If you bring it to a shop and they want your business, they won't care where you got it. You will not have any issues of bars being too short, etc, unless someone at the shop cuts it too short. All bars are notched on one end. All you/shop have to do is fit each bar and notch the other end. If you are handy with an angle grinder, you can do it.

I notched mine and held it all together with welding magnets and ratchett straps until it was all done. Then I took it apart and drove the 40 to a friends house where we reassembled it while tacking it together. Then we pulled it from the truck and welded it up. One of these days I'll pull it out and paint it. I don't recommend the magnet and ratchett strap method!

Good luck

 

[Texican]

I am a Metaltech dealer and installer, Mark is not coming to the Roundup this year but is shipping raffle items to my shop soon, might be able to get a kit or complete powder coated finished one
I will not have room in my scheduleto get a cage installed by Roundup unless it is their pre assembled one. They are the s***z.
Butch

 

[albee]

I used buying a cage kit as a excuse to get a mig welder.
I cut and notched everthing with my 4" grinder. Tacked everthing together like a giant 3-D jigsaw puzzle in the cruiser.

Then a local welder took it back to his shop where he tig welded it together.

There is a lot of work involved in putting one of these cages together. If you work carefuly and pay atten to detail, you can do it.

good luck

 

[marcovgv]

in the long run if you are going to tack it together and have a welder weld it up . I dont think you will save that much money. its probrably better to just buy the cage already built by MT

 

[pbgbottle]

x2 for the prebuilt . mine fit in great ! here is a pic of my cage after picking it up from the shipping place. jackson cage. MT also throws in a few extras or accessories they call them on the prebuilt , grab handles, dash bar, etc.

 

[Isotel]

Just Curious what you guys are paying for shipping of a complete welded cage?

 

[alex e]

To me it's academic. The kit is $500 ish plus the ride. The prebuilt is is $1500 plus the ride. I think I will learn how to install it (or take it to Butch AFTER Roundup).

 

[pbgbottle]

$175 from oregon to Blaine washington.

Just Curious what you guys are paying for shipping of a complete welded cage?