Extend Roll Bar to rear

[DougRyland]

I have a 1969 CJ5 and want to extend my roll cage to cover rear seat area, since we carry the grandkids around back there. My concern is to get the height and forward lean angle correct so that if I ever want to put a full soft top on it will fit. Has anyone done this and if so do you know the correct height and forward lean angle for the very rear cross bar?

I am considering two options one getting kits available on ebay or the other using 2" schedule 40 pipe with two butt weld Elbows, but in either case I need to get the height and lean angle correct if I ever want to put a Best Top or other top on it without having to have one custom made.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

It would help to have a picture of what style of roll bar you have however I don’t know of a turnkey kit for your 69 only generic parts that can be cut to fit but if needed you can have a good jeep shop bend the bars.

Roll bars were not even required in a CJ until the 1979 model year but prior to that there were a lot of aftermarket rolls bars made; the came in various styles and in fact many of them were produced by small welding shops making for no standard dimensions. Most of these aftermarket bars, at least in my area, were in reality closer to the 1992 Wrangler and up style as far as covering the back seat. The main issue with most of the aftermarket bars was the attachment to the tub. Generally they were attached using a plate that was part of the bottom of the bar that bolted through the rear wheel well sheet metal using a washer and nut on the underside. The problem with that was that once pressure was applied to the bar during a rollover the washers would “punch” the sheet metal like an old fashion beer can opener thus making the roll bar useless in the crash. Jeep seemed to solve that problem by bolting the bar to the side of the tub then later (part way through 1979) to the tub behind the front seats and the back of the wheel well. (I would check you roll bar to see if this condition applies.)

If you want to build the roll bar yourself buy the new top, install it, and then take measurements to make sure the roll bar mods you make will fit inside the top.

 

[DougRyland]

Not really ready to buy a top at this point. I am planning to build the bar myself and will take steps to improve attachment point to body. I did get a reply on another forum from someone who owns a custom fab and weld shop with schematic giving the dimension needed.

Thanks for the input.

 

[es335]

Just an FYI Trail Tubes has a really good line, and, they do custom bending as well....They are in PA-near Mercer

 

[IOPort51]

Dom .120 wall tube is a lot lighter and stronger than Sch 40. just a bit harder to find.

If the bar make you feel secure, that is good. But make it a point to keep the shiny side up. I think they are technically refered to as a "sport bar".

 

[johnnyreb]

I would go.120 DOM. I know many a bar has been made from pipe, but it is not roll over rated. 120 DOM is rated for roll bar as min for east coast 4 wheel drive assoc. Any steel supplier should be able to get it.

 

[DougRyland]

Definitely plan to keep the shinny side up. Just carry the Grandkids around some in rear seat and would like to have a little extra protection just in case.

 

[TheDirtyCJ]

I have a 1969 CJ5 and want to extend my roll cage to cover rear seat area, since we carry the grandkids around back there. My concern is to get the height and forward lean angle correct so that if I ever want to put a full soft top on it will fit. Has anyone done this and if so do you know the correct height and forward lean angle for the very rear cross bar?

I am considering two options one getting kits available on ebay or the other using 2" schedule 40 pipe with two butt weld Elbows, but in either case I need to get the height and lean angle correct if I ever want to put a Best Top or other top on it without having to have one custom made.

Hi there, this what I did-same thing you have in mind is what I wanted. I found an extra roll bar then cut it down then inverted it and welded it on.