Cage installation

[benebob]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Just messing with ya Hey, you're the one the cage is going to protect the first time you put the Racer on its head , so I'd think you'd want to make sure all the welds are right

As far as BNB goes, I'll be doing a lot of work myself on the 'reX to get it into "fighting shape" for the GRC. Paul has provided the "foundation" I'm going to build on. I'm also going to use it as a working jig for some other ideas I've got....

-Bill

Wouldn't bother with the GRC. If you wanna do it, you'll finish higher by flying down buying a sub $2000 auction v12 jag that was detailed before the sale and running it with some decent cheap rubber. Its pretty pathetic how so many there cheat. $100 set of 4 "used" hoosiers with nubs still on the tread!

[dynomatt]

Ben,

My cage sits on boxes...picture hopefully shows this. This is better for a few reasons. If it sits on boxes, you've got 3-4 inches of movement so you can drop the cage down and properly weld the top. The only other option is to cut 2 inch holes in the floor and drop the cage through that whilst you weld the top.

Here's what I mean. You can't see it but my box section at the rear for the main hoop nicely triangulates to the front wall of the back seat, making it very rigid.

In the attached pictures, check out where the front legs attach to the floor. That box section has been made of 3mm plate.

Matt

[benebob]

Yeah ours isn't set up for boxes. We have a rocker bar running the length of the rocker which makes it tough to do boxes but also makes for one strong frame. Eventually we'll run across the front too and over the tranny tunnel. Ours sits about 2 inches from the roof line so welding it shouldn't be a problem. I'm amazed they let you run with that! Every non-vintage US rally car I've seen has about 10 more door bars making a coccoon around there. Definately overkill but I'm sure they have their reasons too.

Yeah I have ours set up right at the rear seat front wall too. Figured that would be the strongest point back there. Where did you mount to the rear strut towers at? That's the next step after I get the floor mount figured out.

[rallyingrob]

the other option is to cut holes in the roof and pop-rivet plates over the holes after the welding.....

rob"no seriously, i've seen it done........sadly......... "m.

[benebob]

Well she's a 5 point cage now. Dave took some pictures of the welding and will post 'em up when he gets a chance.

[Hocrest]

Originally Posted by dynomatt

Pics of what you're doing?

Here's a pic of Ben welding, this is pretty much all I saw all night... even the drive home I've been able to make out shapes today, so I'm hope thats a good sign


Here is a shot of cage so far

[TomsSVX]

Dave... I have an extra mask if u wanted to borrow it... Anyway, looks good from what I can see in the pic....

tom

[jman050]

looks awsome! besides safety im sure that stiffens the chasis more than any strut bars or sway bars could even hope for.

[dynomatt]

Ben,

Here's the base of my main hoop...sorry it's taken so long.

See how it meets the side sills and the front of the rear seat.

Uber strong.

Matt

[rallyingrob]

i like what you've done matt.......
but i'm wondering...did you seam-weld the factory sheet metal under the box?

what i'm wondering is if those seams were welded up and extended (maybe even all the way from side to side) would it add enough to make the effort worthwhile?
or would it just be not necessary/wasted time/effort.......?

my concern would be the box cleaving straight down through the floor due to the point loads since the box is oriented "on-edge" and could possibly split the factory seams and punch down through.......

rob" mr paranoid"m.

[benebob]

Thanks Matt, I feel tons better about my tack welds too now! I think we'll stick with ours the way it is but I think I'll take a piece of 12 gauge steel across that diagonal like you're lower piece. I definately like that concept! Still at the 5 point stage but I'm ironing out the fitment up front

[benebob]

For your viewing pleasure. We now have an 8 point cage in. Still need the door bars but we're getting closer. Come to reading any you'll see it!

[TomsSVX]

for my veiwing pleasure... I will only see it in my rear view

Tom

[rallyingrob]

ohhhhhhhh
nice smack talk tom !!

lets turn it over to benebob now for the reply!!........................................... ...........

LMAO

rob"wish i could go to reading"m.

[Hocrest]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

for my veiwing pleasure... I will only see it in my rear view

Tom

Yeah, that will happen when you get all nervous about your competition and launch on red....