Roll Cage with Hard Top

[AlexJet]

I'm planning on building a Roll Cage for my 40-series.
I have a Bestow Soft Top on my vehicle now, but eventually want to get a Hard Top. Because of this I don't want to rebuild the Roll Cage several years down on the road for the Hard Top to fit over it.
As I don't have the Hard Top, I'd like to ask fellow community members to share their information on how should one build the cage which would fit both Soft and Hard Tops. How different in internal dimensions are Bestow Soft Top and Hard Top? Does anyone have pictures of the Hard Top with the Roll Cage install? What Roll Cages do fit both Tops?
Is there any places I can get dimensions I can build Roll Cage to, which would work with both options?

 

[1911]

What Roll Cages do fit both Tops?

Don't know anything about soft tops, but I do know that my MetalTech "Jackson" cage fits easily in my hard top. Can try and get some photos for you if you want.

 

[AlexJet]

Don't know anything about soft tops, but I do know that my MetalTech "Jackson" cage fits easily in my hard top. Can try and get some photos for you if you want.

Please do. If you can also measure the gaps between the cage and the roof as well as to the side panels and rear doors it would be appreciated.

 

[1911]

Camera battery died while I was taking photos; recharging now...

The closest gaps are between the A pillars and the doors, less than 1/2"; you want the A pillars to be as close to the doors as possible, to give you leg room to operate the clutch pedal. One small downside to this is, when the hard doors are on, I can't roll the windows down or up with the doors closed - the crank handles hit the A pillars.

The next tightest space is between the very top of the A-pillar bend, in the corner of the hard top and the top of the windshield, about 3/4". The width of the windshield is the narrowest dimension of the whole tub, so I guess this is why.

There is 2.5" between the top of the cage and the hard top cap.

There is 2" between the B and C pillars and the side edges of the hard top, and 2.5" between the B & C pillars and the side window glass in the hard top.

While my camera battery is recharging, here's some existing photos of my 40 with the top off, so you can see the general shape of the MT Jackson cage:









Here is one that shows the 2" between the B pillars and the edge of the tub:



This one shows how close the A pillars would be to the doors, if the doors were on:



More to come later, after the battery charges - maybe tomorrow?

 

[AlexJet]

Do you have the pictures with Hard Top ON?

 

[65swb45]

@1911 , this is excellent information. Just add height measurements from footwell to A tube, wheelwell to B and C tubes.

@AlexJet , you are more than safe using those measurements. I guarantee you @helocat did ALL his homework on that cage. It is a production cage that has been around for over a dozen years...without complaint. AND, he specifically designed it to make sure it would fit both applications. It's called marketability.

Apologies if anything posted sounds condescending. I know you know your stuff; so does Mark.

Best

Mark

 

[1911]

Do you have the pictures with Hard Top ON?

Here's what I took yesterday before my camera battery died:

 

[Downey]

In 1911's first set of photos above, the last photo actually shows relation of front cage tube to dash. Note that dashboard directly above lower black dash pad actually 45 degrees over to the door pillar post. It is on that 45 degree angle that you want to bolt a mounting tab from front cage to dash ( tab welded to front cage). This then will take out all of the "Front cage wobble", otherwise the front cages vibrate like crazy. Also, when installing connector tubes between rear bar and front cage, DO NOT mount any connector bar anywhere near your head. Mount connector bars as far out into the corners as you can get them. Do not weld upper center connector bars (CB mounting panel) directly over your head (yep, it's been done), otherwise your head will end up trying to bend those bar. Just saying.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I previously had a Bestop and I had a cage built to fit under it and still allow the top to fold back. If you're wanting a "family" type cage, you will be greatly disappointed with the amount of head room you have to sacrifice for this to work. The rear of the Bestop angles in and so for the B pillar frame piece to fold back, the C pillar of the cage needs to be really low.

 

[thebigredrocker]

Alexjet
Are you planning to bend your own cage or considering a kit such as Metal Tech? I went the MT kit (not pre-built) route and was able to place the A pillar so I could roll my windows up/down while driving. If you need/want more photo's or measurements just holler. Would be a good excuse for me to get the 76 out of storage.

 

[AlexJet]

I'm planning on building my own cage. I was looking into Metal-Tech Family Cage (Full Profile), but even at the parts level it comes to over $800. Considering exchange rate and shipping fees to Canada, it will run me around $1'500. I like this cage, but I think it will be cheaper to build one.
Yes, I'm interested in pictures and measurements of the gaps between the Full Cage and the Hard Top. I can easily build it inside the Soft Top envelope, but not having Hard Top handy is a challenge for me.

 

[AlexJet]

Does anyone has pictures and/or measurements between Full/Family Roll Cage and Hardtop?

 

[thebigredrocker]

Alex- here is the Metal Tech Family kit I welded up myself.

 

[thebigredrocker]

 

[thebigredrocker]

 

[thebigredrocker]

I'm guessing you've got some skill if you are building your own cage. I sure am pleased with the excellent fit, nice bends and thick tubing of the Metal Tech I purchased. Obviously my welds are not the best, still safer than how it was.

Alex- if you want any further measurements or clarification let me know. I'll probably have to take my trailer queen back to my storage unit Sunday. I need to get her all polished up first @antFJ


*note* from wheel well to top of C pillar is 37 1/4"

 

[RustyRanger]

I'm curious, anyone here put a full cage on a early truck with the lever windshield clamps? The only way I can see to make everything work is splicing in piece of thick wall rectangle tube at the dash area on the front hoop, placed between the W/S handles and the door. Otherwise you lose a lot of leg room, use of the door or use of the folding windshield.

Anyone done it? I know it might not be as strong, but anything is better than nothing. I don't want to lose the ability to fold the W/S down and I've got big legs so I need as much of the leg room there is.

 

[AlexJet]

thebigredrocker, great picture. As I was looking for.
C-pillar bend, is it to accommodate Bestop Softtop?
I see that B-, C-pillars are well spaced out from the tub sides. Is it due to the top?

What is the length of the roll cage on the bottom and on the top (A- to C- pillars)?

Width on the bottom is:
A - 49"
B - 58"
C - 53"
What about on the top?
Looks like "rhombus" shape with widest part in the middle.

 

[thebigredrocker]

I intended on pointing out the pictures I took of the gap between the lid and cage have the illusion of more gap than actually exists. Those pictures are deceiving. All the pillar's top bends have about a 1 1/2" gap between the lid. So all the way around is about a 1 1/2" buffer. Obviously the roof is domed so the gap is greater down the centerline of the roof.

I believe they angle bend the c pillar to place the pillar base tight to the tub lip and at the same time allow the two corner bends to tuck up in the roof corner's. 1 1/2" on mine. If you build your own, perhaps you could have less gap if you feel that is important. Obviously some gap is needed. If you bent the c pillar like the b pillar(just two bends). You would need to scoot the bases forward so as to avoid the hardside/rear curtain top lip. I suppose I could plumb bob that option for you.

Perhaps I'll have one of my kids help get an approximate total length (a to c pillar). Maybe I'll measure from windshield to C pillar. It'll be tough to find a starting point on the A pillar. If you tuck the A pillars up tight to the dash and C pillar tight to the rear corners, you should be good. So long as you get you height correct.

Clear as mud, right?

 

[marketShark]

I have both a hard top setup and a soft top setup on the same cage. I currently have the hard top on and took some pics. I can measure anything you'd need also if it'll help.