Metaltech FJ55 Rollbar Kits

[1973Guppie]

OK,

So I was talking to Mark at Metaltech this weekend asking if he would be interested in building a rollbar for my fj55 project. I explained to him that I was looking for something relatively simple and that the truck is going to mainly be a street vehicle, not hardcore 4x4. He mentioned that he might be able to put one together for the fj55's based on the fj80 designs but was unsure if there is enough interest for the pigs. He said that he would probably do a couple different variations of the rollbars, one for basic rollover protection and another more "beefed" up version for hardcore 4x4. I am basically looking to beef up the roof and pillars as the stock pillars and roof DO NOT hold up well during a rollover from some pictures I have seen. I will be carrying my family in the vehicle (not long trips) and want to make it as safe as possible (yeah right).

Mark asked me to post up in this section and guage some interest on whom would be interested in purchasing a rollbar kit from Metaltech for the FJ55's. Again, this is just for informational purposes, I do not have pricing or leadtime or any of that but he would like to see how many peeps would be interested. You should assume that the price will be fair and the product will be quality.

So please post up and let me know if you would be interested in one of these cage kits and I will tally the results and get back to Mark.

Thanks,

Noah

 

[Wayneraintree]

I was just having this conversation with another mud member and there is definately interest on my part. I am looking for the same type of safety cage, internal, simple, and effective. Please keep us updated. I emailed him about a kit for 55's a year to two ago and I think he said it was on paper at the time...

 

[LT]

Wow... Mark actually listened to my advice

 

[mookie]

count me in for one!

 

[snailwagon]

I would also be very interested in one. The fj55 body really does bend side to side quite easy. I would be more interested in the roll over protection one, as I really don't care about the body on this 55, just want enough protection to keep all internal organs intact incase of a bad rollover.


Due the the amount of rust most of us deal with, even with the frame mounts, a large platform on the floorboard would be sweet. Help keep that cage in the cab in case of a rollover.

 

[AZkick-n40]

If reasonable then I'd say it would be highly probable that I would buy one.

They make some awesome looking cages for the 40's.

Thanks Guppie!

 

[pygpen]

Depending on.... well, lots of things.
I will be in the market for a cage for my 55 within the next year or so. I would give good consideration to a kit, especially one priced well.
Yea, that would be really cool.
PMK

 

[1973Guppie]

just fyi, this may not happen, and if it does it will probably be a little ways off, but I figure if we gather enough interest it will help.

I plan to tie any cage kit that I go with into the frame for sure......

Noah

 

[FJBen]

This would have been useful 6 months ago

 

[redrock 73FJ55]

i would be interested

 

[rapovt]

count me in

 

[CruiserMax]

I guess guys would need to see one first...

A few questions:

Would they cover just the passenger cab area or cover the entire interior?
Would the front pedestals interfere with using the floor pedals and the headlight switch etc?
Would they bang the heads of taller drivers and passengers?
Would there be a horizontal support section across the dash area?
Would there be significant welding, cutting to install?
Then there are the costs of the actual cage and shipping fees?

My hunch is there more to it. I have seen this before: lots of folks chime in "me too..." but when it comes time to pony up the $700 they can't be found...

Max

 

[jm599]

seems like I saw a back seat and cargo area roll bar years ago in a FJ60 has anyone ever tried one to see if it would fit.
I too would be interested in one for FJ55 if it was neat looking and not in the way.

 

[LC_Hamma]

I wouldn't be interested since I build all my own stuff. But I will share a few ideas about my inner cage that's tied to the frame. I have all the pieces cut, but I'm finishing up my rocker area before I mount the cage because I have some of the cage tied to that rocker area, through the floorboard. I'll post 'em up in my "Avalanche" thread very soon.

 

[1973Guppie]

I guess guys would need to see one first...

A few questions:

Would they cover just the passenger cab area or cover the entire interior?
Would the front pedestals interfere with using the floor pedals and the headlight switch etc?
Would they bang the heads of taller drivers and passengers?
Would there be a horizontal support section across the dash area?
Would there be significant welding, cutting to install?
Then there are the costs of the actual cage and shipping fees?

My hunch is there more to it. I have seen this before: lots of folks chime in "me too..." but when it comes time to pony up the $700 they can't be found...

Max

I can't answer these questions, but when I spoke with Mark he mentioned that the rollbar would probably be set behind the front cab and extend rearward, again I am just gathering what interest there is out there, of course there will be cutting / fitting / welding to install, IT'S A KIT! But I really doubt it would be $700 bones for the kit as the fj40 kits are less than that.......

I have forwarded this email to Mark and hopefully he will post up with his thoughts, I am out of the loop from here...


Noah

 

[rsrai]

id be interested

 

[usmcruiser]

I would personally be more interested in an exo for a 55 rather than an internal cage for this reason:

The fj55 body really does bend side to side quite easy.

The top could still shift and press up against the interior rollcage. Granted you would still be safer than Ben was when his pig did a pirouette on it's nose.

 

[snailwagon]

I've never seen an exo on a 55. Different strokes for different folks.
But an exo would be sweet. Wouldn't have one in the daily driver, but for something as big, long, and extra tippy as a pig, an exo could save your life while still keeping the windows in your pig. The 55 does have inherent problems with an inside cage. The front tubes near the a-pillar could block the ignition on older fj55's. Also, the B-pillar areas would be a very tight squeeze for tubing beween the seat and pillar.

Anyone have a picture of a 55 with exo skeleton.


I

 

[mookie]

it would be double sweet if Mark would also design a nose guard and stinger combo similar to what he has for the fj40...

 

[solidfrontaxle]

I will definately buy one of these as soon as they come out.