Roll Cage Backing Plates?

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

As part of getting my FJ40 back onto the road after almost 1.5 years while doing the body tub swap I am replacing the factory "roll bar" with a "roll cage."

What size backing plates do you folks recommend for the underside of the body tub when installing the roll cage?

Thanks for your opinions/comments!

Regards,

Alan
Seattle

 

[Tigerstripe40]

As beefy as you can.

Mine are 3/16" steel with .120 wall 1.75" DOM tube tieing into the frame.

I sure hope that's strong enough.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Thanks "Tigerstripe40" for your response - but what I was seeking in part was what size (i.e. width) of backing plates should be used.

I'd imagine as wide as possible, to spread out any stress, but I am not an engineer either!

Thanks!

Alan
Seattle

 

[Desertdave]

Fwiw

I'm told that you want to have the backing plates a different size that the feet on the rollbar, such that the edges do not line up. If the edges line up, they can act as a 'shear, cutting the body sheetmetal and eliminating the support for the roll bar. Ideally, you would go larger in all the dimensions, however, in the real world you sometimes have interference on the underside.

Notice how the factory had a rolled edge on some of the underside supports for the rollbar, this would also help avoid a shearing action.

As far as thickness, I used what I had in the scrap bin, as long as it wasn't less than 1/8th , I figured it would provide the support necessary, since the body sheetmetal isn't that thick anyway.

 

[Mace]

I run 5x5 3/16" plates on mine with 4 1/2" bolts...

Seems good. But I am also connected to the frame with a Metaltech tie in kit...

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

Thanks for the responses, guys! I'll be working on fabbing-up the backing plates later today!

Regards,

Alan
Seattle

 

[HI^C]

bottom plates are close to twice the top plates, some equal on two sides then long on the others, just whatever would fit. 1/4" on everthing.

sleeves are nice but a bit of work.