Cage mounted body(?)

[scO44]

Heres the deal, I am at the point of mounting my stretched body on to the frame. Body and frame are not from same vehicle, so new body mounts are needed.

I was origionally going to fab up new body mounts..But after thinking/planning it out it seems that mounting the body through the cage mounts would be another solution. I am asking if this has been done/is it safe enough? I would think it would be, as it would be mounted in as many places as the origional mounts.

If it makes a diff. two people can pick this whole body up with ease, so it is REALLY light.

Next questions, how big of sandwich plates to use 4x4, 5x5?? I have read the debate between bushing mounted cages vs solid mount.. For this situation which would be ideal??

Thanks for yer opinions.

Scott

[zags]

I have sandwiched the body on the cage mounts on several vehicles with no problems. I would place them where the stock body mounts were in the floor as those areas are usually reinforced from the factory. As for size, use the 4x4 AND the 5x5. use the bigger ones under the floor and the smaller ones above the floor. The 5x5s will support the floor better, and by using the different sizes on the top and bottom you reduce the tendency for the floor sheet metal to crack around the plates as the body flexes over time.

[ilovemud]

You can get the 4x4 plates with holes already drilled in them and rounded corners for about 1$ each at you local steel place ask them for the plates to mount a hand rail. They are 1/8 inch thick or a little thicker most of your hand rails are schedual 80 i didnt believe it untill i cut one open.

[scO44]

-I was thinking about 3/16 at minimum (top plate)..Unless someone else says other wise??..Sounds like those might save some time if they are thick enough..if I should go 5x5 on the underside should they also be thicker than the top plates??

-Should I go bushing setup or solid mount? i am kinda leaning towards the solid mount setup..

Thanks, Scott

[Captain Air Time]

Go min 3/16 on the bottom plate. 1/8 would probably be OK on a lightweight vehicle for the top plate, but I'd add some gussets to add rigidity and prevent the tube from pulling away from the plate in a hard side hit. Bushings are going to let it move even more than before, so if your frame is reasonably rigid, and not relying overly on the body to minimize torsional flex, then go solid.
Another option all together is to just solid mount the cage to a square/rectangle tube subframe, and mount THAT to the frame with bushings. works really well, and is very safe, but allows a lot more frame flex than an integral cage. No perfect solution with a body-on-frame construction.