Roll Cage / Rear Bumper - REVISTED

[flaboyjim]

I was just going through the pictures that I took at Bug-In last March. I came across this roll cage with integrated bumper. It looks do-able on a short WB buggy - anyone see any drawbacks to this?

[newmanx59]

The one drawback I see is that the overhead bars that tie the front and rear hoops together, are too close together. If the buggy were moving forward as it rolled the front hoop would fold in on the occupants.

[CairoManx]

Lots of buggies with cages have the reinforcing bar located there in the center so you don't smack your head against it when you climb in and out of the buggy.

[newmanx59]

I have never had an issue with this cage and I'm not the smallest most agile person. The bars don't have to be out at the corners just closer to the outside then the middle. The little kick up in the bars help getting in and out too.

[Gene-C]

I think the gist of the question was about tying the rear bumper into the cage not necessarily the overall cage design. Regardless, I like the back portion of the cage on the yellow buggy, looks like a cool setup.

[Gene-C]

Just wondering if the upper cage is solid to the motor cage , if so how do you remove the engine when necessary?

[newmanx59]

Here is another idea...

[Gene-C]

Just wondering if the upper cage is solid to the motor cage , if so how do you remove the engine when necessary?

It looks like there are two flanges just above the license plate that would allow the bottom portion of the cage to be unbolted. Nice white buggy!

[rzeller]

FLABOYJIM, about the only comment I have doesn't relate to the structure. I don't see an easy way to put a top over it without creating a lot of space for water to come in. I guess in So. Cal that's probably not an issue, but for us on the coast of the east coast, it could rain any minute.

[Gene-C]

Every frame I build has a rear cage, Most of the time I'll use the two bolt exhaust flanges for a joint. The three bolt look nicer, but cost 3x as much as a two bolt. There is another why of making a joint but that the a pic tell a 1000 words deal. I don't have a pic. That yellow buggy. the engine cage it's self is the std store bought cage. if you look about where the muffler tip is then go over to the front pulley. You will see a fine line on the black down tube. Thats the upper joint, the rest of the mount are in the std places. The cage on this yellow car to me (2 cents) is a show cage. It's built to sell as 90% of the cage's are. What I mean is it's built as cheap as possible, Production cage. I see to many guys pay too much for a cage. Not these but others. also in two case's I know of. Guy pays 1200 for cage, cage looks great up above the body a real show piece. Both got in side inpact roll overs. both cars (not at the same time) the upper cage still was in good shape, but be low the fiberglass, They had no bracing other than the four tubes mounted to the floor pan. The cages where push over at about 45 degrees, In other words bent to hell. The lower section did nothing for safety. Yes I have a real attiude about some of the cage's being marketed today. They are not safe. Sorry about the rant

[Gene-C]

I agree. From personal experience of how unsafe a buggy is in an impact I would also stress the fact of having a properly built cage is a must. If your looking for some good ideas find a local company that builds cages for baja's rock crawlers, or just a plain old fabrication shop. They should be able to help you a great deal on what to do and what not to do. It is a very good idea to have both your engine cage and your front bumper tied into your normal cage. It makes the whole car much stronger and will be able to take more of a beating. Plus it just looks a lot cooler.