Matt S from the board and I put this together this weekend.
Some work left to do on the back. Any suggestions ?
Lets see pics of what you think would be cool.
All the way back family cage style or down halfway back? Or ??? http://http://pirate4x4.net/mstevens/brian_exo/brian5.jpg

http://pirate4x4.net/mstevens/brian_exo/brian5.jpg

I would do a family cage myself for the option of running a rear seat and keeping the occupants protected.

Are you planning on running any diagonals or additional tubing overhead?

Looks good. Definately add some triangulation. in anything more than i light roll its just going to buckle up and i dont see an internal cage.

one question..You gonna run a tube under the winshield (above the cowl) to help the front hoop? are you tied into the A-pillar with the front/side hoop? just curious whats keeping it from twisting into the body if you hit on the top corners, maybe run a tube just under the hood...cross car to give it a smaller section to put load on.
just a thought. great job though. :D

I am not a "Roll cage expert" But I do build, repair and modify fabric covered pipers for a living. These planes are constructed out of thin walled 4130 tubeing.

The only reason that I am Posting this is out of concern for your and your ocupants safety. I am not picking on you or your design.
This is ment to be constructive critisism. Please take this in the manner that it was intended.

In a slow- mo roll, you should be ok, with a little bendage, however if the roll gets violent, your cage is going to kink and crush.
There is not enough diagonal braceing, and the only diagonal braceing that I see, is not transfering loads to the right place.
Your front hoop (around hood) should attach to the center of the bend at the windshield, There should be a spreader between side hoops at the base of the windshield, and the diagonal on the side at the front wheel needs to tie in at intersections. Not in the center of a long span unless it is set up in the form of a "W" brace. Loads need to be transmitted to the strongest mounting points.

Again, this was written with the best of intentions.
Good Luck,

Dale

great thanks for the input.
I think a bar across and under the windshield frame is due /.
We are also gonna put in a rear bar that goes through the tub behind the seats. Also doing a family cage over the rear with some spreaders.

I appreciate the feedback and concern . Keep it coming.

The cage is not finished yet.
we tied the diagnol piece in mostly for looks.
Any other recomendations on how to make this cage safer.
Id like to have it be able to hold up in a hard roll.
THANKS

how much and what kind of tube did you use?? I am looking into making my exo soon.

-Jon:confused:

Originally posted by bronc_crwlr
how much and what kind of tube did you use?? I am looking into making my exo soon.

-Jon:confused:
1.75" x 0.120 HREW is what the tube is. Right a $1/foot

Nice work Brain, needs a few things, but so does mine.

sorry i ment how many feet did he use

-Jon:confused:

so far about 45 feet

Its done . :)
http://groups.msn.com/SiouxlandJeepScoutFJ404x4FunFactory/toyotafj40s.msnw?Page=1 http://sc.communities.msn.com/tn/40/C2/SiouxlandJeepScoutFJ404x4FunFactory/4/216.jpg

we put a big X in the back to add rigidity and strength.
It is tied into the frame in the front ,back and on the sides.

Comments?
Im thinking about adding a bar under the windshield at a later date.

http://sc.communities.msn.com/tn/40/C2/SiouxlandJeepScoutFJ404x4FunFactory/4/217.jpg

http://sc.communities.msn.com/tn/40/C2/SiouxlandJeepScoutFJ404x4FunFactory/4/215.jpg

Looks good, that orange is, uhhh really nice :flipoff2: I'd put a bar across the winshield for sure. What about one from side to side or diagonal above the spare tire deally to?

:beer:

We ran out of time.
Matt is gettin good wit the bemder.

I think I will do the windshield one later and possibly one across the back at a later date.

Thanks for posting the pics.

You should be gettin your $$ today or tomorrow.
Thanks :)

The orabge painit is DAY GLO BRIGHT . My GF hates it . Im not sure about it yet. I just know it will be easy to find in a parking lot. :D

wow I cant spell today.
HOOKED on phonics worked for me. :zzz: I tired .

One more thing, you should always cap the ends of the tubes. It will add strength esp. if you have joints near by.

I did cap them with furniture end caps. Chrome ones even.
So you think I should weld some end caps on for strength?

Ok I will thanks for the info. I did not know that.

You gotta loose the orange paint!
It looks like something from the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin show. It looks :rainbow: .
Paint it black. :flipoff2:

I LIKE THE ORANGE

i'd add a bar accross the front for strength also. looks like you just went to town with that orange paint. i aggree it would look better in black.

Originally posted by EricZ
You gotta loose the orange paint!
It looks like something from the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin show. It looks :rainbow: .
Paint it black. :flipoff2:

Orange and yellow zuks are fine...... They make my zuk look better:flipoff2:

i like the colors but the front looks :rainbow: with the way it bent to the top of the calmini bumper i would have made my own and made it the same high

Hey, Flexy! Well, I guess the deciding factor will be its condition when you get back from the Black Hills. I just hope them mean ol' rocks scraped off most of that orange paint! :flipoff2: Let me know if it hung you up and how many times(and be honest!).
IMO, it needs to have a spreader across the back, ends DO need to be capped(in front of doors, too), and you already know I frowned on the cage being built into the aftermarket "show" bumper. Call me when you get back...

cage worked great in the hills.
I used it as a pivot point and also took a couple really big drops on the rockers.
Check out pics of the trip at www.midwestcrawler.com and you can click on the link to jake and upper jake for lots of cool trail pics.
http://www.midwestcrawler.com

I am wanting to make a new front bumper. The tubing is much to thin on the calmini bumber I used. It will work but its gettin smashed up real bad.
Im thinking a stinger type would be good.
ANY Ideas? Lets see pics of how you guys would do it.

It needs to tie into the exocage I have now with minimal amount of work.
Later

A new front bumper, hmmmm. Who do we know that could build you a sweet, functional and,of course, wicked front bumper for you? thinkthinkthinkthink....