1.5 or 1.75 Tubing

[BrassMunkey4]

I am putting a cage in my XJ this summer and I was wondering if anybody is using 1.5"x.120 tubing, I know most people are using 1.75, but the cost is cheaper and since it will be an internal cage, space is and weight is a concern... Is it worth it to go 1.75, or will be 1.5 be plenty strong?

Thanks

[LCAC_Man]

I am putting a cage in my XJ this summer and I was wondering if anybody is using 1.5"x.120 tubing, I know most people are using 1.75, but the cost is cheaper and since it will be an internal cage, space is and weight is a concern... Is it worth it to go 1.75, or will be 1.5 be plenty strong?

Thanks
Standard race car cages are 1.75x.095 minimum, I'm pretty sure that's why 1.75 is the standard, most of the fab shops have that die for the benders and the material cost is just slightly more. Cage strength is all about the design, I'm sure you could build a safe cage out of 1.5" as long as you designed it properly.

[planefixer]

My cage in my XJ is 1.5"- .120" wall as well as several others that I know of.I started with the DandC kit as a base.I still have about 12 more pieces of tube to add.

[savageracing]

Standard race car cages are 1.75x.095 minimum, I'm pretty sure that's why 1.75 is the standard, most of the fab shops have that die for the benders and the material cost is just slightly more. Cage strength is all about the design, I'm sure you could build a safe cage out of 1.5" as long as you designed it properly.

Most race car cages using .095 are chromoly. The standard for 1.75 mild steel is .120. If you are gonna use the 1.5 I would step up to around .140 wall or go with the thinner wall in chromo, unless you don't plan on really using the cage then go with the thinner. It will hold but probably deform in a flop. IMHO the price difference is not that much different, just go with the 1.75 and be on the safe side.

[kruwl]

Most race cars are going like 60+ mph at any given time. Their force of impact is much greater than just flopping on your side. So I dont think we can compare the sports...

It all depends on what type of wheeling you're going to do.
If you are just a weekend warrior who sticks to easy side trails and is worried about the occasional tip or spill then 1.5 should hold up, if welded properly and triangulated enough.
If you're a hard-core enthusiast who is climbing mountains and will eventually, one day, rip your rig sideways, end over end, and barrel roll it down a trail, then beef up your tubing...
I picked 1.5... I wish I had done 1.75 just for the extra insurance... because now that the Jeep bug has bit me, I'm having to add more triangulation, gussets and more tubing.