Rollcage pics anyone?

[noonzor]

wow, just read through the cage requirements section of the rulebook. is it worthwhile just to hire a shop to cage your truck for you? or is it pretty doable in your own garage? just keep measuring/measuring/measuring/measuring haha.

[LJ534Rat]

Couple more pictures of main hoop to outrigger on frame and others. I still have the measurements for the main hoop that was sent to S&W that they used to bend the main hoop.All the other bars were done custom locally .Cage has not been certified but should meet requirements.

[rattleon]

What are you guys doing for mounting your lap belts of the harness. I was going to just go through floor using plates, but is there a better/safer way? LJ534rat I noticed you mounted your lap belt on one side to a tab welded to lower main hoop/rocker bar area. How did you mount the other half of the lap belt?

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by Marv D

Regan,, I surely wouldn't argue with someone of your calibure, and you see the toughest tech in NHRA so I'm 'asking' here, not arguing. The way I read the rules was that IF the vehcle has a 'frame' the main hoop and front down bars must be attached to the frame, not the floor (with plates) via outriggers of some sort. I did much the same as rattelon (and is probably the only thing I thought was 'legal' at all about my cage!!)

(darnit, can't link the picture from above)


Are you saying the main hoop and front down bars of the cage don't have to attach to the 'frame'? That would be Soooo much easier!

Yes thats what I'm saying . When we built my cage I consulted with longtime Div 4 tech man Harold Hayes through the whole process . I even had him check it before we painted it . When we were done it certified to 7.50 now it is an 8.50 becuase of rule changes (a funny car cage would be needed). I'm not nocking the way any one has done thiers . I think if you didnt have the steel floor you would for sure have to have the outriggers . Since mine has the stock steel floor and the cab is solid mounted to the frame I guess it met thier requirements . The only bars I have that go to the frame are the front and rear strut bars and the down bars behind the seat . I have never had even one problem about the cage at any track from Texas to Geargia to Chicago and all the other places in between.

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by rattleon

What are you guys doing for mounting your lap belts of the harness. I was going to just go through floor using plates, but is there a better/safer way? LJ534rat I noticed you mounted your lap belt on one side to a tab welded to lower main hoop/rocker bar area. How did you mount the other half of the lap belt?

I bent the tabs for the belts(so it wouldnt pinch the belt) for clearance and use the stock mounting holes in the floor . My shoulder harness goes to a tab welded to the cross bar behind the seat.

[Marv D]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

Yes thats what I'm saying . When we built my cage I consulted with longtime Div 4 tech man Harold Hayes through the whole process . I even had him check it before we painted it . When we were done it certified to 7.50 now it is an 8.50 becuase of rule changes (a funny car cage would be needed). I'm not nocking the way any one has done thiers . I think if you didnt have the steel floor you would for sure have to have the outriggers . Since mine has the stock steel floor and the cab is solid mounted to the frame I guess it met thier requirements . The only bars I have that go to the frame are the front and rear strut bars and the down bars behind the seat . I have never had even one problem about the cage at any track from Texas to Geargia to Chicago and all the other places in between.

That's why it's so valuable having guys like you around here I know well the NHRA techs at the national events are HELL on every little detail and you are PROOF we don't 'have to have' the out-riggers off the frame for the main hoop. I read the book just as so many others have I guess, and built 2"x3" frame extensions to support the main hoop and front cage bars. If I had realized I could have welded them to the floor on a plate........ wow what a LOT of work I caused myself.

Oh well,,, when I make the cage 'legal' it's going to be a heck of a lot easier now!!!!

Only question is if having stock rubber cab mounts would make any difference in tech opinion there. You say your cab is solid mounted I assume with a solid aluminum body bushing replacing the stock rubber mount?

ummm now on second thought....... I guess now unfortunately I have compromised the stock steel floor board by cutting over sized holes for the uprights to go through. Before I could weld a cage / plate to it I probably would have to replace the piece of floor back to 'stock'. Tech can be so darn picky about things like that. Simply replacing the area with a patch of like 12g sheet stitched in,,,,, bet they will balk unless it's an OEM 'appearing' piece of floor. In my case I think the damage is done and the outriggers sure don't hurt from a strength issue.

But you guys who have yet to hack the floor to put a cage in,, should TAKE NOTE OF THIS THREAD

[team39763]

GOOD INFO! I'm getting my rollbar from S&W next week and this info came just in time. We were already making plans to do the outriggers for the main hoop and front down bars.

[Wild83C10]

Yes good info. I have been looking into an S&W cage/bar and going to the floor instead of the frame definitely sounds much easier.

[team39763]

I just ordered my 8pt rollbar from S&W. I'll post up when I get it in.

I was told that I need to put the outriggers in the front for the door bars at the bottom. I always thought the fronts just weld to a plate above the stock body mount/structure???

[70shortwide]

heres the pics of my cage. my buddy and me put it in

[chevytruck1970]

here's some pics of mine in progress I'll put some more up when its finished

[chevytruck1970]

heres a few more

[Wild83C10]

Originally Posted by 70shortwide

heres the pics of my cage. my buddy and me put it in

Is that a custom cage or a kit?

[70shortwide]

its all custom. i dont think they make a kit that fits that tight. its a lot of work but well worth it.

[team39763]

Is there a site/page where I can go for some guidance on installing my rollbar? I need some help with what should be done first and what to measure and little tips/tricks that might be helpful. My rollbar is here...S&W is awesome...very friendly and helpful.

[rattleon]

I used an S&W cage on my '70. The main hoop and halo fit real nice, but I had to bend the A-pillar bars a bit more to get the fit I wanted...plus I used a longer bar for the seat brace so I could bend it to conform to the back of the cab for more seat adjustment as it looks like most have done that have posted pics. Just be sure to plan it out start to finish before you start cuttin' and have a rule book as part of your tool arsenal.
Good luck and have fun!!

[team39763]

I found this site and I thought I'd post it for anybody else who may need a little guidance with their rollbar/cage.

http://www.badassperformance.com/mri...cage/cage.html

[chevytruck1970]

here is some pics after paint

[limitedstreetoutlaw]

That looks good justin

[chevytruck1970]

thank you still a long way from finished

[noonzor]

i want to bring this thread back for its abundance of excellent information. i'd aswell like to ask about the swing out/bolt in door bars, do they have a "legal to" limit or whats the deal there?

[hotrod 80]

I just reread this thread and i will say i took flames right here for out riggers when i put the bar in my blue Luv . I also outriggered the mainhoop and put points from the roth of the seatbelt bar to the top of the frame . The door bars hit plates bolted to the floor . THis didn't pass ! i had to add plates under the floor pan under the plate and have bars bent to tie the plates to the frame . The way it is around here, if it has a frame it has to tie ,, if unibody landing pads will work .

I also have had the same problems as Marv . Expired belts that will recert will not pass ,, but stock 35 year old belts will work . Crazy !

I am about to have bars put in the new truck unfortunatly . with pin in door bars . My suggestion to anybody having Chassis / cage / bar work done is before the work starts put a certifacation stiker in the deal . If you are having a cage built tell them to have it certed before you pick it up . A local guy that is building mine adds $125 to bring a inspector out and ert it . This is cheap insurance . If it isnt right he has to make it right .

[djracer]

Good Advise on the Certification!

[hotrod 80]

This thread got bumped at the right time for me and is a good refresher . I have been holding off on the rule book for the 2012 as i hear (yellowbullet) there are some pretty big changes and want to confirm them, first . Their is a great group of experienced people in here willing to help .