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DSTMULE Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006 Posts: 402 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:07 am Post subject: full roll cage in manx clone |
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New to fiberglass buggies and would like to put a full cage, I have a single roll bar now, it's nice but would like a little more.
Any suggestions? does anyone make a universal cage? sounds scary and a headache or recommendations on having a cage built in southern California area? |
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VOLKSWAGNUT Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007 Posts: 11053 Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Start searching this forum.. better yet read the many topics already on the subject.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200 _________________ aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:20 am Post subject: |
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I have never seen a full cage kit or assembled unit (bolt in) for FG cars on market.... Both of my buggies have had custom fabricated cages made by local "chassis/cage" builders.... Preference was .120 wall DOM tubing of 1.5 or 1-5/8th inch diameters....And side rails hopefully to protect from side impacts (never tested!).... Finish is powder coat gloss black...
To secure cage to tub/floor, a full "plate" was fabricated to sit on lip of pan/tub to stiffen floor and give better structure to chassis....Also note tabs were added to cross bar behind seats for shoulder harness and also at bottom rear corners for outboard seat belt anchors.... And tab to front hoop between bars for rear view mirror mount.... Its the little things ....
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...
Last edited by Dale M. on Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:35 am; edited 3 times in total |
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DSTMULE Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006 Posts: 402 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:27 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Dale M. That cage is perfect you have. Guess I will have to look around the southern California area. |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:42 am Post subject: |
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Only thing I would do different is bring two center bars forward, level then slight bend down to meet front hoop.... The setup I have as is, is close to being a head banger....
When you see angle as car sits with cage installed, the bars going forward would be technical level to ground and not look "humped" up .... (see previous pictures)...
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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DSTMULE Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006 Posts: 402 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:57 am Post subject: |
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something to keep in mind when I get one, Thanks Dale. |
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lostinbaja Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2004 Posts: 4036 Location: Frankfort, Illinois
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:10 am Post subject: |
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I moved the overhead bars outboard a bit and put the bend in the overhead bars to keep from bouncing our heads off of them when cruising the dunes.
_________________ Jerry...
If it's being towed, it must be a trailer!
"Vee Grow Too Soon Oldt Und Too Late Schmardt"
RIP Morgan
My photos
http://www.manxgallery.org/gallery/album92 |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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Texas Buggy's used to make a prefab cage for a buggy, do not know if they still do, but a call away and you can know.
http://www.texasbuggys.com/
I have one or two cages for buggy's and the materials usually cost about $ 250 to $ 300. Includes 1 5/8" 0.120 wall DOM Tubing, 1/4 inch thick seal plate from front to rear of pan bolt flange area, welding supplies, and paint. I would allow $ 1000 to $ 1500 for a shop to build one and supply the materials.
I usually go up under the dash/hood area and add another 1" diameter hoop as a steering column brace. Take them to the rear and tie it int the rear frame bolting through the FG Tub.
_________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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ChadCook Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2011 Posts: 764 Location: Charles Town
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:38 am Post subject: |
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I'm working on fitting the Acme show cage kit to my Clod Hopper. Its made to fit one of their bodies so its not a bolt in. With a little imagination its turning out pretty good. I'll post some picts once its tacked together. |
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wythac Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:52 am Post subject: |
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Not being the accomplished metalsmith that Mr. Joecool is, I think if I built another cage I would order one of a few options for full cages available for offroad beetles and modify it to fit.
Of course I say that not having tried it before. Having remodeled a few old homes, I've sworn that my next terrestrial project will be all new construction, so I might just be talking out my ass here in thinking a modification of an existing cage would be easier than bending another one up out of straight tube.
Good news locally for me on metal prices...after a spike a few years ago the price on 1.5" DOM has dropped back out of the stratosphere... I paid less than 3.00US/ft for a 20 ft stick of .120 wall last week.
Several years ago I contacted Neil at Hawkeye Buggies in Texas about bending up a custom cage for me. His fee was reasonable, shipping from Texas to the PNW was not, so I opted to buy a wire feed and brush up on my rudimentary welding skills. He might be an option for you if he is still in business, he used to have his contact info here on thesamba somewhere. |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:01 pm Post subject: |
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Ha Ha!
I am not a "Metal Smith", I just know how to take pictures.
After the couple of cages I have done, I doubt I would modify a Beetle cage. They are made for a wider car, so the main hoops would have to be cut in the center, narrowed and re-welded. Now that can be done safely by using a sleeve on the inside of the joint. And you are stuck with the design of the Beetle cage.
To do it yourself, the hardest part is swallowing the price of a bender, the rest is not that hard if you can remember a little Geometry. Having a buddy go in with you on a tool is a great way to do it. _________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20365 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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wythac Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 1:41 pm Post subject: |
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Joe,
I'll check that box as a bad idea then. I guess I have always figured that the beetle cage that fits inside the floorpan would fit inside the floorpan of a buggy as well. You might need to cut it down for height and length but since it would have to come as a knockdown anyway you could do that without sleeves by cutting the end(s) of the different sections of tube.
As I mentioned though, it isn't something I have tried. I have used 1.25" DOM as an inner sleeve for putting together "scraps" of 1.5" DOM for non structural components, but I don't see any wisdom in doing that on hoops or other major structural components.
To the original poster, if you don't have room or tools or skills or time (!) to fabricate your own cage, start looking around your community for a 4x4 shop. Their customers are breaking stuff constantly, and need access to talented welders if they don't have those skills themselves.
Good luck in your search. I would think in CA you stand a pretty good chance of finding someone to do the work for you. |
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54Baja@14 Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Orange Ca
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Something else to consider is, do You want the body to still be removable?
There are plenty of good fab guys in our area, mines a half breed, some in my garage & some professional help.
_________________ Sponsors: Relevant Lighting
PlayTech Racing, Moore Parts, Printers Litho, Eimer Engineering & Buddies Garage |
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Iguana Samba Member
Joined: April 19, 2008 Posts: 922 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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54Baja@14 wrote: |
Something else to consider is, do You want the body to still be removable?
There are plenty of good fab guys in our area, mines a half breed, some in my garage & some professional help.
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Must say that is a very nice looking buggy and well balanced, you have done well |
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DSTMULE Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2006 Posts: 402 Location: SOCAL
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:18 pm Post subject: |
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very nice buggy & cage |
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pallen Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2012 Posts: 589
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slalombuggy Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010 Posts: 9131 Location: Canada
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:55 pm Post subject: |
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joescoolcustoms wrote: |
Texas Buggy's used to make a prefab cage for a buggy, do not know if they still do, but a call away and you can know.
http://www.texasbuggys.com/
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Hey Joe, Really like this cage what pages in your gallery folder are more pictures of it on?
brad |
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joescoolcustoms Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2006 Posts: 9054 Location: West By God Virginia
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:16 am Post subject: |
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slalombuggy wrote: |
joescoolcustoms wrote: |
Texas Buggy's used to make a prefab cage for a buggy, do not know if they still do, but a call away and you can know.
http://www.texasbuggys.com/
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Hey Joe, Really like this cage what pages in your gallery folder are more pictures of it on?
brad |
Here you go Brad:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=556247&highlight=
I also have one on my current Manx build titled "Basket Case Manx II"
My first buggy cage was for a APC Sand Shark in 2006
Then a Lithia Mark III in 2012
A "X" Body in 2012
A Trantula in 2012
Another "X" body in '13
A Desert Fox in 2013
And late summer '14 will be another Manx II
Winter '14 - '15 will be a Viper _________________ Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race
Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.
Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone |
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streetbuggy8804 Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2009 Posts: 652 Location: Placentia,ca
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Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 6:54 am Post subject: |
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There is a guy on this site that rents a bender. He can also do the work for you. He lives in eastvale ca. His name is Craig. Great little service he provides. He also has the software to design the cage to your liking beforehand. He is an architect by trade so he is very capable of working and designing on that computer based software. Just search " bender rental" and reach out to him. |
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