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Is this a roll cage or exhaust tubing?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Toolmaker, Sep 5, 2007.

  1. Sep 5, 2007
    Toolmaker

    Toolmaker Member

    Westminster, SC
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    Messages:
    132
    Is this a "roll cage" (maybe aftermarket?) or did somebody get creative with exhaust tubing? I've never seen the front part of one designed quite like this one and it's 3" OD which is fatter than most. It seems to be well built but I don't know what the wall thickness of the tubing is. The only way I know to check it would be to drill a hole in one of the tubes, measure the wall thickness, and weld it back up.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Sep 5, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
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    1,577
    It looks like stock roll bad modified? But then again I wouldn't know... My Jeep never came with a roll bad. The bars overhead look unsafe like that...
     
  3. Sep 5, 2007
    JeepsRcool

    JeepsRcool Member

    Garden Grove, CA
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    Aug 31, 2006
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    128
    X2 on the drill and measure thickness. Only option i see. I'll bet you'll find the wall thickness to be around .120 inch. Should be pretty stout. check for thick plates on underside of fender and floor mounts. Looks like it would hold up to a good roll. nice looking jeep.R)
     
  4. Sep 5, 2007
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Sep 21, 2002
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    12,367
    You could probably tap it with a hammer and find out if it's exhaust tubing. It'll sound tinny if so, will sound more solid if it's thicker.
     
  5. Sep 5, 2007
    crazy4ink

    crazy4ink New Member

    Millmont, PA
    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
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    28
    Hard to tell without being there to look at it, but I would say it looks like an OEM style rollbar or a bed bar from a pickup truck that someone cut apart and rewelded. I would also have to agree with drilling a hole, checking thickness and welding the hole back up. I would hazard a guess that the thickness will be around .065".

    We build cages out of 1 3/4" DOM to make sure it will hold up in a rollover.
     
  6. Sep 5, 2007
    packrat2A

    packrat2A Member

    McAlester, OK
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2004
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    212
    My Opinion is that it won't hold in a hard roll. Not because ofthe material (I think its exhaust tube myself) but the design of the front doesn't have any strength.
    the spreader bars are too far inside to support the outer hoop when the windshield folds over. And i think the center of that front hoop will fail at the same time.

    Just My Opinion, Take It As You Will.
     
  7. Sep 5, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
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    Jul 1, 2007
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    :iagree:
    I was thinking it was just a "More stylish" roll bad, was wondering how it would hold a full Jeep
     
  8. Sep 6, 2007
    JeepTherapy

    JeepTherapy Sponsor

    Negaunee, Michigan
    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
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    The welds might give an indication as to thickness. The bends almost look too smooth to be exhaust pipe. I have tried to bend exhaust pipe in my pipe bender it just crushes it. To make nice smooth bends in exhaust pipe is expensive.
     
  9. Sep 6, 2007
    Txjake

    Txjake I wrenched with Sparky

    Oklahoma City OK
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    Feb 3, 2006
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    544
    what he said.........
     
  10. Sep 6, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
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    Well you can bend exhaust tube smooth in a roller bender, the one with the jack will just crush it, that's true.
     
  11. Sep 6, 2007
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Weak design, regardless of material thickness.
     
  12. Sep 6, 2007
    MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2003
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    1,131
    I've got the exact same cage. Not sure who made them, but they were an after-market item a number of years ago. I promise it is not exhaust tubing.

    Although the design is nice for letting wives take a break on the trail, I plan on adding spreaders to each side.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Sep 6, 2007
    Txjake

    Txjake I wrenched with Sparky

    Oklahoma City OK
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    Feb 3, 2006
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    looks like a parade......:)
     
  14. Sep 6, 2007
    MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Pullman, WA
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    Would work for that too! The 3" tubing is much easier on the arse.
     
  15. Sep 6, 2007
    Txjake

    Txjake I wrenched with Sparky

    Oklahoma City OK
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    R):)
     
  16. Sep 6, 2007
    Toolmaker

    Toolmaker Member

    Westminster, SC
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
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    132
    Thanks MOP! I was hoping someone would recognize this cage. I am also planning on adding spreaders on each side, especially now that I know it's not made of thin wall exhaust tubing.
     
  17. Sep 8, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    Nov 27, 2006
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    Why, pray tell, wouldn't it be strong enough? From the Pics it looks like the tubing is welded together length wise. Is it that way where they match the front bar and go to the sides as well?:?
     
  18. Sep 8, 2007
    MOP

    MOP Active Member

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2003
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    There is no separate "front bar", the bars in the middle curve to each side in the front:

    [​IMG]



    On a related note. This thread motivated me. I stopped by the metal shop yesterday and picked up tubing for spreaders on the side. I am taking it to a fab shop to have the spreaders welded in Monday.
     
  19. Sep 8, 2007
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
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    ooops


    SOOooo how many WIVES do you haveR)R)
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2007
  20. Sep 8, 2007
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
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    SOOooo how many wives do you have exactly R)R)
     
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