My apologies if this should have went in Chat instead, I saw a similar thread in the fab section.

I'm looking into doing an exo cage in the winter/early next year. I'm just wondering if there are any cons that might be overlooked? I'd like to have access to all 4 of my doors still. I'm looking around for different styles and trying to determine the best one. I also saw a guy on here who said he made his own for about $600, I believe. Is that generally the price area? I'll make my own, instead of buying one. That's no fun.

Here's a members XJ, xjbones, I like this look, although not too fond of the support in the middle inside, is that needed? I just feel that would stop be from hauling some stuff.

I'd also need to install rock sliders too, I think I might do those myself as well.. Although I'm open to suggestions.

Here's my front bumper, I'm assuming I can use it to connect to it?



And I might like something that can go the way of a flare, since I don't have any flares. And I'll remove the snorkel since it'll get in the way, but could I get away with a cowl snorkel? Or would there be tubing across there as well?

 

It all depends on how you build it. Sure a cage can be built for well under $600 depending on what type of tube you use and if you have the proper tools. The next exo I do I plan to tie it into sliders, front and rear bumper, and internal cage.

I've only done a front exo cage before with a full cage, but I liked the way it worked.

[IMG][/IMG]

 

You need to add the cost of a welder, bender, and die to that 600

 

it could probably be done for 600, if you had every tool needed(i.e welder,bender, grinder..ect) and if you bent EVERY single tube perfect with no "drops".

As for the unliked"center" support...i personally dont like the exo without any kind of interior support.(hybrid)

And yes..if this is not a ongoing project...it should be in chat.

 

 

my jungle gym

 

I have a buddy with a bender, grinder, and welder. Should help with some of the cost, right? I plan on doing it in the winter, which is when I'll have most of my downtime with the XJ, plus it'll give me time to know what I want and save up for it. What's the best type of tubing to use? And I see some different styles on the inside. If it's crucial to the structure, then I'll do it. I just didn't know if it was or not. I'm sure I could do something to where I could still haul stuff.


And you're right, this is more of a Q&A, sorry. Hopefully a mod can move it!


Cheers

 

having all the tools avail will help cut cost a ton, a notcher helps too.

as for tube..I would use DOM, and add as much trianglation, and dispersce the load as wide and to as many points as possible..even if you need to sacrifice some storage room to get it in there.

 

Hmmm.. I'll play around with some styles. Question about the snorkel.. Since I assume there will be a tube going along the firewall, could I add my cowl snorkel, like the H1s, and have the tube curve around the snorkel, if it sticks out that much? That wouldn't affect the exo structure that much, right?


Another question.. How much has to go in on the inside if I want an exterior cage? I was thinking of that support bar on the inside from the picture I posted in the first post. Could I move that up a little closer to the front, like near my arm rest console? I've been thinking of swapping that out anyway with an ammo crate, like another member did, and did that might give me more space to fit a support bar without eliminating free space. Or what about an 'H' like structure behind the two front chairs? I'll see if I can make a picture or something, I might be confusing lol.

 

my bird cage

 

I wouldn't trust an exo cage unless it had internal support. And I mean more than just a bar. I would tie in a support behind the front seats with a triangulated web wall. I like the way it looks in the picture that Domaas posted, but at the very least something like the picture above that. The only down side is that your rear seated passengers might loose some knee room. But TBH, I'd rather have the peace of mind that my cage is gonna hold if I roll over.

 

This is how my main bar behind the front seats is tied in. I said in another thread, it's not done yet. Just made it good enough for this wheeling season.

 

Hmm.. That looks nice! Is it about the same throughout the rest of the vehicle? Or do you have support beams in the middle or on the sides? If I do a lot of interior support, I'd be too tempted to cut my roof and convert it to a soft top, lol.

 

Diggin those seats
What kind are they?

 

Looks like Dave muds in comfort with those seats.