YJ Style Rollcage
Darrin asked me to do some work on his CJ. He wanted a YJ style rollcage so he can run a Safari bikini top and also so the rear passengers would have 3-point seatbelts. For support, he wants V bars to run from the ends of the bends to the center of the main hoop. It's tough to explain, so you'll just have to wait for pictures. He also wants new rocker panels. This is the perfect time to design them ;) I'll track the progress of the rocker panels on this other web page.
04/29/2002 - Started work
I removed the stock diagonal bars and cleaned up the main hoop where they
attached. Next I began bending the tube to match the rear section from my
YJ. I notched the front of the bars to match the main hoop at 10
degrees. I also drilled and sleeved the upper seat belt mount and welded
in a nut in the lower part of the tube to attach the seat belt retractor.
I ran to Ace and picked up the bolts for the lower seat belt mounts. I
forget to get bolts for the uppers so I'll do that next time I'm out. I
used 1/4" plate to make the mounts for the back of the tubes. Next I
placed the passenger side tube in place and tack welded the tube to the
plate. I removed the assembly and finish welded them together. I
bolted them back in place and started welding to the main hoop.
Unfortunately I ran out of welding wire half way thru welding them
together. Tomorrow I'll pick up some more wire. Total work time
today: 6 hours
Pictures:
Before work began
After cutting off the rear diagonals
Bent bars
10 degree cuts
One hoop temporarily in place
Mate1
Mate 2
Base of tube without plate
Both bars with seatbelt attachments
Welding the passenger side tube to main, ran out of wire
Out of wire
Passenger side plate1
Passenger side plate2
Passenger side plate3
04/30/2002 - Finished rollcage welding and painting
I started the day by buying a spool of welding wire. Turns out I
bought stainless wire instead of steel. Whoops. Went back to Cameron
welding and replaced it. I finished the welds on the passenger side bar
and then welded in the drivers side. Next I measured and cut the
"V" bars and welded them in place. Finally I put a coat of paint
on all the exposed metal. All I have left is to find some seat belts.
Total work time today: 6 hours
Pictures:
Main hoops in, no v-bars yet #1
Main hoops in, no v-bars yet #2
V-bars notched to length
V-bars welded in, no paint #1
V-bars welded in, no paint #2
V-bars welded in, no paint #3
V-bars welded in, no paint #4
V-bars welded in, no paint #5
V-bars welded in, painted #1
V-bars welded in, painted #2
V-bars welded in, painted #3
05/22/2002 - Installed the Safari top
Here's a few pictures of Darrin's Safari top installed on his Jeep.
I'm still waiting for the seatbelts to arrive from Los Angeles.
