Exo Cage
#17
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
So I've been thinking.. How effective would it be to have an exo skeleton on the front of my XJ, going off my stinger, protecting that area, maybe going past my fenders or so. And then having an inside cage going around the perimeter of the inside? Try to keep as much tubing out of the way so I can haul people and stuff. And if I wanted.. what would be some unique ways to achieve a soft top or something? Should I save up for the retractable roof for the XJ?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
#18
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I've been contemplating an inside or outside cage. How effective would a setup like this be? I can't tell if he has anything on the inside to help. I just like the look of it, and it seems to be pretty effective, since the XJ is in a cage, so it appears there'd be minimal/very little damage in the event of a roll over, whereas with the inside cage, you'd get damage, but would still remain in shape, right?
And for what it's worth, I have possibly the exact bumper as this guy, as well a stinger to run off of.
And for what it's worth, I have possibly the exact bumper as this guy, as well a stinger to run off of.
#19
That has inside support. I was planning on doing an exo out of hrew and doing and roll cage out of DOM. That way cost is cut but your still safe. Now I think I'm going to go an internal cage and when I roll ill cut the top and make a buggy
#21
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
#25
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, I thought about that too. I might do mine a little different so I could still use mine, even though it's a pain to get in and out of already haha.
For the interior, this looks perfect! How effective is this style?
http://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-1012.htm
Last edited by 92XJGuy; 07-22-2012 at 05:34 PM.
#26
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
looks kinda iffy to me. but I dont know anything about how to build a strong cage. all I know is that that one looks kinda janky.
I was looking at this one. add yourself a bar across the dash and lots more triangulation and some roof sliders and I wouldnt even do an exo cage
http://barnettperformance.net/index....&products_id=7
cheaper too
I was looking at this one. add yourself a bar across the dash and lots more triangulation and some roof sliders and I wouldnt even do an exo cage
http://barnettperformance.net/index....&products_id=7
cheaper too
#27
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,448
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
looks kinda iffy to me. but I dont know anything about how to build a strong cage. all I know is that that one looks kinda janky.
I was looking at this one. add yourself a bar across the dash and lots more triangulation and some roof sliders and I wouldnt even do an exo cage
http://barnettperformance.net/index....&products_id=7
cheaper too
I was looking at this one. add yourself a bar across the dash and lots more triangulation and some roof sliders and I wouldnt even do an exo cage
http://barnettperformance.net/index....&products_id=7
cheaper too
I'll keep that link in mind, thanks! And to be honest, if I do something like that, I might want to cut the roof some.. Maybe add a sliding or soft top on the roof, or even chop the hatch off.. lol.
#28
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
well do the internal cage because you need it anyway to make a strong exo and just see what you want after that
I'd also make some strong 2x6 rockers and plate the entire uniframe to make strong starting points for any cage work
but dont take my word for it! I havent done a ton of research on it yet. those are just the things that come to mind
I'd also make some strong 2x6 rockers and plate the entire uniframe to make strong starting points for any cage work
but dont take my word for it! I havent done a ton of research on it yet. those are just the things that come to mind
#29
TBH, with all the cage designs I've seen. And I'm talking hundreds of buggys and cage builds, I have not seen a successful one that didnt have some sort of internal vertical and cross supports. thats what keeps the cage from collapsing in on itself. If you wanted it to be strong enough without going inside your rig, you'd need way too much metal, and you'd loose access to your doors. I'm no expert, but I'm really good with math and geometry, and I've been studying cage design for over a year just out of hobby. I've drawn up my own cage designs for buggys and such, and even talked with a guy who builds cages for a living. I've actually seen one of his cherokees that has a full internal cage. The one thing he told me is that you NEED internal support. Thats why he just bit the bullet and went full interal cage, so he wouldnt have to drill through the roof or have door issues. He did a SUPER clean job too. I don't claim to be any expert, as I've never actually built a cage myself, but from what I've learned, and seen on youtube lol, I wouldnt trust a cage without cross support.
#30
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Colorado
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm going to keep an inside cage in mind for future reference. It wasn't quite what I wanted, so I might put it on the back burner, or at least protect my front a little bit more first. I've been considering doing a suspension upgrade, going from 4'', to something higher + long arms. Well, I can't go much higher, or else I won't fit in my parking garage (live in an apartment building, can't part on street), so I might just do a long arm upgrade. It's either about the same, or possibly a little less than a cage.
I will eventually want a full cage though, haha. I really appreciate the feedback I received in this thread and hope i helps others.
I will eventually want a full cage though, haha. I really appreciate the feedback I received in this thread and hope i helps others.