[Joshyboy26]

hey guys just doodling ideas for a cage while having a quite sunday and while i have looked at a few ideas and pics there seems to be a few differences that all seem to be pretty good.

so ill try and give you a back story.
i drive in the central vic region around toolangi across to mansfield and jamieson type areas. these include big rocky sections and that ridonculously slippery red clay shit.
i want to stay reasonably light, as im not looking to flop it but these things happen i guess haha. it will be more for protecting panels and sideways fall-overs
i also want to keep it relativly slim and hidden so i can drive on the road and not have cops pickin me up on it all the time.


so ive come up with these two. feel free to flame or comment haha.
note these are just 2 minute doodles not set in concrete.
the biggest thing i want to know is the bar across the top of the window curve up or down?
a lot of the yanks have it curved down in buggies and such. i reckon this could be good if your upside down the force would be on the outside verticals (if flat ground) not on the centre
however if curved up it may want to roll onto the side more and not sit on the roof?
please enlighten me suzuki gods.


also note the rear section will go under the soft top and the angles arent as extreme as drawn haha
also i want to keep the b pillar relatively intact. so if you can image the piece that covers it would attach to the centre vertical and roof horizontal only as a sort of cover...

[Joshyboy26]

also just cos its cool i would like this sort of shape

[abclarke]

Those doors are fucking mad!

[Joshyboy26]

i know! it such an awesome car

[ridzilla]

Ask Fatzook! He's the cage man

[Joshyboy26]

HEY FATZOOK! LOOK HERE! haha hopefully he'll read it later.

[Fatzook]

Joshyboy26 wrote:

HEY FATZOOK! LOOK HERE! haha hopefully he'll read it later.

On the phone, so this will be a short reply. Why is there a bend in the cross bar over the windshield?

[Joshyboy26]

I'm not sure....
i have seen a few pics of cars with it and thought it may be a better design.
I thought it might add strength with its magical bend powers you know? haha

[Fatzook]

Unless properly braced, a small bend is just the start of a big bend. In my experience, some people are getting a little too creative, opting for what looks cool in favour of what works. Given that you want minimal weight, function should take precedence over form.

[Joshyboy26]

Yeah thats cool i only want function haha so no bend it is. thanks mate

[Joshyboy26]

also while we're here.
are there any real reccomendations on bend radii or just whatever the pipe can take/ looks reasonable (ie follows lines)
there doesnt seem to be anything in the cams ccda things but maybe im not looking hard enough

[Fatzook]

Joshyboy26 wrote:

also while we're here.
are there any real reccomendations on bend radii or just whatever the pipe can take/ looks reasonable (ie follows lines)
there doesnt seem to be anything in the cams ccda things but maybe im not looking hard enough

There is a figure put on the acceptable amount of 'deformation' through a bend. AFAIK, as long as you do not breach this amount, you can have any bend radii you like.

Having said this, to go any tighter than a 6" radius really requires the use of a mandrel bender. I have a 6" and 8" radius die/ former set for 44.45 ( 1.75") tube, and the 6" die is right on the limit.

[Fatzook]

Josh I have a few concerns with your designs.

As I understand it, This cage is completely external? So it passes over the top of the soft top?

Firstly, the mount at the base of the windscreen. This will be sufficient for layovers. But if you have any intention of it protecting you against rollovers, you will need to make an internal brace that located under the mounting plate, and runs to the floor at the drivers and passengers feet. Think if it as a leg that stops the windscreen mount from pushing through the thin sheet metal.

Second, the section of body at the base of the B-pillar is quite strong. But how you mount the cage here will determine how well the cage works in a roll. Have you any idea how you would mount it here?

Thirdly, are there any tubes connecting the two sides together ( over the roof) other than for the one above the windscreen?

Lastly, what are all the lines you have drawn horizontally between the b-pillar veticles?

[Joshyboy26]

ok thanks for tthe info.

I will look into bracing through the front, as i said only doodling at the moment so havent really gone right over it yet.

also the more i look at it the sillier the b pillar cover sounds so disregard that bit. i think it would be useless and just get caught on shit.

i havent thought about attachment at the base of the b pillar. I am undecided whether i should run the verticle to the floor or just to the body side(ie where it finishes in the pic)
both have pros and cons i think.
if going to the floor i feel i could make a stronger mounting point but it would give me issues in making it line up with everything and protect the b pillar.
if i go just to the 'tub side' it would protect the b pillar as it would be further out but im not sure it would be as strong?

also for the mounts i have a heap of 3mm plate i can weld/bend to conform to the body to then weld the cage to.

also yes there would be other tubes across the roof at the b pillar and the most rearward verticle.
also triangles at the b pillar and across the roof.

[Fatzook]

That all sounds good.

So your main issues will be where & how to mount everything, and bracing.

Don't worry so much about protecting the B-pillar. It is replacable ( under $100 usually ). Occupants however are not replacable.