conundrum: front cage tie in/fenderwell headers, and rocker guard fab?

So my Flattie has a front cage that is not tied in to the frame.....the problem is I am running a :v6: with fenderwell headers that occupy space that I would like to use to fabricate some structure to tie the front of the cage to the frame as well as perhaps build some rocker-guards to protect the tub from rocks etc. :?

I was just wondering how you other crazy Jeep addicts have dealt with this conundrum. Honestly I would love to switch to some block hugger headers or manifolds and a normal inside the frame exhaust, but I dont see how that would work with the steering/stock brake mastercylinder arrangement common in these Jeeps. Please advise and pictures would be great. thanks!

monkeys:v6:

 

We had the same dilema on a CJ7. Ended up putting a piece of angle on the body, then ran a tube from behind the side muffler from the frame out and around it to the front frame rail. Plated the underside of that tube to protect the muffler. Then ran support tubes from the muffler guard up to the angle on the body. The cage is bolted to the angle to help at least spread the load in the case of a rollover. I may have some pics on the house computer I can put up this evening if I can find them

 

Thanks! photos would be awesome!

 

What's wrong with the cage mounted to the body? I seen a M38 roll down a hill 2 1/2 times and it didn't even break the glass in the windshield. :?

 

neptco19, man thats a good looking cage....wow! Thanks for the idea there. I like it.

I once saw the aftermath of a restored flatfender that rolled on its top and was supported (without collapse) by the soft top bows and the windshield frame alone, and that too like your story is amazing, but I would never use that as some kind of justification that roll bars or cages are unnecessary. It was kind of a once in a million thing. Cages that are not tied into the frame can punch through the floor and then become ineffective if there are multiple hard rolls.

 

True. But I don't intend to roll down a cliff. I think the cages that mount to the body should be enough to help from the occasional flop on it side. Besides. Anything is better then just the rear hoop.

Here is my cage.

http://scottmilliner.multiply.com/photos/album/1/scotts_jeep_pictures#27

 

Thanks and you have a great looking jeep! I agree that any front bar is better than none, I will say though that the two times I rolled a Jeep I did not intend to do so, but i am glad there was some roll bar in place .

 

I am going to make plates that are larger than the ones my cage will be welded to and bolt the two together. I think I would rather the body and frame separate in a violent rollover because you would lose much of the weight. But too be honest doing trails or mud your probably not going to see real violent rollovers anyway.

 

:twisted: You dont Know what I am planning :twisted: Muhhaaahaaa!

Just kidding. Its not the violent rollovers I am concerned about. More the repeated flops and building the jeep to withstand them. I Just want to do it correctly first.
monkeys

 

I use to think that was a good idea, till I was talking with some people and they asked what about your legs? If you were in a cage that came loose and rolled seperate from the vehicle It would be almost certain your legs would be severly injured. If you stayed in the vehicle more than likely they wouldnt be hurt at all.

 

my front floor was really cracked up from twisting and so we used 1/4" plate 11"X17" under the roll bar , picking up the body mount and the three bolts to the trans cover.no more floor flex, worked great . then made a plate for the bottom of the roll bars. pic tomorrow . I like the tub to float for more twist but it dose rip things up with harder wheel'n.