Adding a rollcage to fiberglass tub - Please Help!

Welcome to my first major vehicle restoration project on my new ( 50 year old ) 1960 CJ5! I bought it from a guy who tore the old tub off, powdercoated the frame, did a great deal of engine work ( original I-4 engine w/ 40,000 miles ), put in some new seats and installed everything back in the tub.

I would certainly like to make this vehicle my daily driver, and this jeep will need some modifications. I'm not worried about adding the top and doors just yet (living in NE). First I want to add a rollcage to it for safety. These are the issues for which I'm seeking YOUR advice:

Rollcage on fiberglass tub - use frame tie in?
or mount straight to tub?
or reinforce rear wheel wells?

Second:
Which rollcage? I would really like to keep this jeep original. Shes a looker.

Third:
Not only is it a fiberglass tub, the previous owner powdercoated the entire floor of the tub. Will this make installation of a rollcage significantly more difficult? I heard the line-x guys have a solution that will take it off - should I use this at certain points for the installation?

I only have one photo of the jeep and will post it as soon as I can figure out how to.

 

Several things to know about roll cages in ECJ5's, one, they never came with one originally, it was a factory option to have a roll bar, but a full on cage was either full on custom or aftermarket. On a fiberglass tub as with any tub, I would go ahead and tie it into the frame. You can use 2 different size plates per foot to mount the tubing onto, then bolt it to one under the body, and another piece of tube to the frame. Not sure how you would powder coat the body on a fiberglass body, but hey that's cool.... A flap wheel will take it right off. Also, if you make a cage, do not use pipe. NO Poop pipe! Tubing with an OD to the major decimal, not an ID. As for a top/doors have them avaible when installing a roll cage so you won't run into any clearance issues. As for the photo, get a photobucket account and host the image there.
Welcome to ECJ5

 

I can send you some pics of how I did it however I made pretty extensive mods to mine to mount it to the frame at 6 points... Probably a bit further than you want to go but..... Anyhow let me know and I can mail you some pics.

BUBBA

 

Actually, I have been known to post on several sites at the same time. There are a few people here that are also at FJOA and IFSJA for the most part, lots of different people. I think it's a good way to get a good general opinion on what to do........

But back to the OP, do it like Sammy said. Problem is the early cj's were not real safe in a roll over, even with the factory roll bar. But the roll bar is at least something.

Personally, I'd give up orgionality for modern safety and I'd build a DOM full rull cage, tied into the frame........

 

Just to add, use poly bushings on the frame mounts. You could weld directly to the frame but being a street driven rig, the welds will crack out eventually without a bushing in there. It will also give the frame and body a little wiggle room to flex separately.

Here is one style:
http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Poly-Performance-Cage-Tie-In-Kit-p-433.html

Not sure if I'm wild about the bushing up top like they mounted it, rather see it on the frame but that is how their mounts are.

 

Here is a whole thread on pirate I started asking about cage to frame tie in's...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=840005&highlight=aallison28

 

Thanks for all the help everyone! I uploaded pictures at jeep-cj.com with the same title for the thread (if you want to see pictures)