Topless yes, but rollbar-less???

[Rust Bucket]

Alright, here's the situation. I decided to repair the extremely rusted body instead of replacing, but I am considering going without a roll bar/cage. I saw another CJ driving around town recently without the bar and it looked pretty tough. Obviously, I would be very Limited on the level climbing it could handle, but the rig was bought originally for trail riding. My suspension is pretty soft and I'm not really worried about flipping. I guess I'm just looking for the opinions of my friends at Jeep-CJ.com.

Do we have any other members or guests that have a barless CJ? I'd like to hear other opinions and see some pics, since this is just an idea right now. The bar has been removed for now.....

 

[IOPort51]

I have thought in the past that the actual effectivness of the CJ roll bar, with out any direct support from the frame was a bit Limited but I have seen a few with broken windshields and crumpled hoods that indicate it is enough to keep your favorite head from hitting the ground and you have to admit there isn't a lot of room to duck in a CJ bucket. Tough call, I guess it's a personal thing, I am one of those that wear a helmit when I ride my mountain bike. I think I will keep the bar if for nothing more than a false sence of security.

 

[CJ]

As one who has seen the world upside down in his CJ - I can attest to the strength of the factory single loop bar and the windshield frame...

I now run a cage, won't catch me doing any wheeling in one with out a bar as a minimum.

 

[coldwater]

If It does little, It still does something. I have been upside down in a Jeep before, and am still here, because the little hoop bar stayed where it was suposed to and did It's job. A CJ roll bar, contrary to popular belief, is not for keeping the occupants safe when you're flipping over and over down the highway, or rolling <-BAD WORD-> over tea kettle down a mountain side. It's for the "oh " moment when you mess up, and your Jeep flops over on you. Not running a roll bar in a Jeep because it looks cool is not a good idea. But that's just my personal opinion.

 

[Old Dog]

I've seen a few of the oh moments, and they can happen without warning. Jeeps can flip pretty easy on the raod as well.
IMO keep the bar it's better than nothing.
As for me I went the other way and put a frame mounted cage in mine.

 

[IOPort51]

Hey Dog I would love to see some pictures showing how you tied into the frame.

I've seen a few of the oh moments, and they can happen without warning. Jeeps can flip pretty easy on the raod as well.
IMO keep the bar it's better than nothing.
As for me I went the other way and put a frame mounted cage in mine.

 

[mylittlecj5]

on a sad but related note, a co-workers son was critically injured and his friend was killed in a TJ when the son lost control and started hydroplaning. The drivers side hit a tree and pinned the driver, injuring him. His hi school chum, in the passenger seat, slid up and into the rollbar, traumatizing his skull, and causing instant death.
Both boys were wearing seatbelts and they were not speeding or driving recklessly. just driver inexperience on a rain slick road.
this is one of very few instances where a rollbar could do more harm than good.
Btw, i have a 6 point cage in mine, and will frame mount it someday.

 

[LongHorn]

on a sad but related note, a co-workers son was critically injured and his friend was killed in a TJ when the son lost control and started hydroplaning. The drivers side hit a tree and pinned the driver, injuring him. His hi school chum, in the passenger seat, slid up and into the rollbar, traumatizing his skull, and causing instant death.
Both boys were wearing seatbelts and they were not speeding or driving recklessly. just driver inexperience on a rain slick road.
this is one of very few instances where a rollbar could do more harm than good.
Btw, i have a 6 point cage in mine, and will frame mount it someday.

I keep telling my Son that, experience behind the wheel makes a "Huge" difference in driving skill. Recognizing conditions that can lead to hydroplaning is 1/2 the battle, being able to drive out of it is the other 1/2.

 

[Kane]

I think Jeeps look tougher with proper safety gear on them but that is just me.

 

[LongHorn]

Alright, here's the situation. I decided to repair the extremely rusted body instead of replacing, but I am considering going without a roll bar/cage. I saw another CJ driving around town recently without the bar and it looked pretty tough. Obviously, I would be very Limited on the level climbing it could handle, but the rig was bought originally for trail riding. My suspension is pretty soft and I'm not really worried about flipping. I guess I'm just looking for the opinions of my friends at Jeep-CJ.com.

Do we have any other members or guests that have a barless CJ? I'd like to hear other opinions and see some pics, since this is just an idea right now. The bar has been removed for now.....

I use to drive An MB & then 2 different CJ2a 's without roll bars, but then they came that way. The only time the roll bar has been out of my CJ8 was after I welded the front half cage to it. I took it out to paint it.

 

[Old Dog]

Hey Dog I would love to see some pictures showing how you tied into the frame.

I tryed to get a couple pic's but the batteries are dead. I did get one of the rear though before they gave it up.
The body is sandwiched between two plates, on the front(by my feet) it is welded to my slider mount which is welded to the frame.

 

[Rust Bucket]

Good info everyone. I have decided to buy a 6 point cage and bolt it directly to the frame, especially since most of you are too nice to express how dumb I would be to attempt any kind of off road climb without some kind of protection.

Fact is, I removed the bar to fix the body. Once the rust, holes, and dents have been repaired, it would be silly to leave the bar off just for looks. I mean, how functional would it really be then?

Once last question, does anyone have a suggestion for a good aftermarket cage? More specifically, a cage that can be somewhat easily mounted to the frame without major modifications to anything other than the body.

 

[LongHorn]

Good info everyone. I have decided to buy a 6 point cage and bolt it directly to the frame, especially since most of you are too nice to express how dumb I would be to attempt any kind of off road climb without some kind of protection.

Fact is, I removed the bar to fix the body. Once the rust, holes, and dents have been repaired, it would be silly to leave the bar off just for looks. I mean, how functional would it really be then?

Once last question, does anyone have a suggestion for a good aftermarket cage? More specifically, a cage that can be somewhat easily mounted to the frame without major modifications to anything other than the body.

Due to the width of the frame it's impractical to mount directly to the frame at least in the cab.
You generally Fab up a under body mount setup using urethane bushings where it bolts together.

 

[Old Dog]

Good info everyone. I have decided to buy a 6 point cage and bolt it directly to the frame, especially since most of you are too nice to express how dumb I would be to attempt any kind of off road climb without some kind of protection.

Fact is, I removed the bar to fix the body. Once the rust, holes, and dents have been repaired, it would be silly to leave the bar off just for looks. I mean, how functional would it really be then?

Once last question, does anyone have a suggestion for a good aftermarket cage? More specifically, a cage that can be somewhat easily mounted to the frame without major modifications to anything other than the body.

everybody I know has "custom" cages, there are some kit's out there but you still have to weld it all together, they are not cheap either.
I couldn't find one for a cj but here's a link for a kit just to give you an idea JEEP PARTS | JEEP ACCESSORIES | JEEP BUMPERS | Roll Cages
You will need to weld to the frame, and drill some holes in the body to frame mount it.

 

[CJ]

~~~

I have decided to buy a 6 point cage and bolt it directly to the frame~~~

Did I miss something... A regular bar is OK unless you plan on killing the trails (the definition of KILLING is for interpretation). The roll cage tied to the frame is the best thing you can do....

 

[IOPort51]

so, the only thing that goes through the body is the bolts that hold the two sandwiched plates together? Do you have any kind of rubber, similer to the body mounts, between the body and the bottom plate? Do you have a lot more road noise with this arangement??

I tryed to get a couple pic's but the batteries are dead. I did get one of the rear though before they gave it up.
The body is sandwiched between two plates, on the front(by my feet) it is welded to my slider mount which is welded to the frame.

 

[Old Dog]

so, the only thing that goes through the body is the bolts that hold the two sandwiched plates together? Do you have any kind of rubber, similer to the body mounts, between the body and the bottom plate? Do you have a lot more road noise with this arangement??

IO I only have a very thin piece of rubber, and yes it gets plenty of vibs. after all you might as well say the body is mounted direct to the frame.
This is really not the best set-up but mine is off road more than on so I live with it.
This would be a better set-up for most since it uses bushings to soak up some of the vibs. TJ Roll Cage | Roll bar | Jeep Parts | Jeep Accessories | Jeep Bumpers | Jeep Gas Tanks

 

[CoreyYoungCj577]

IO I only have a very thin piece of rubber, and yes it gets plenty of vibs. after all you might as well say the body is mounted direct to the frame.
This is really not the best set-up but mine is off road more than on so I live with it.
This would be a better set-up for most since it uses bushings to soak up some of the vibs. TJ Roll Cage | Roll bar | Jeep Parts | Jeep Accessories | Jeep Bumpers | Jeep Gas Tanks

I'm not 100% on what im about to say but im pretty sure my Roll bar it already welded to the frame but i would also have to double check on this, i do remember my brother in law the day i brought the jeep home saying that the roll bar was welded to the frame.

 

[IOPort51]

I think I would check that out. It could make removing the tub a real challenge.

I'm not 100% on what im about to say but im pretty sure my Roll bar it already welded to the frame but i would also have to double check on this, i do remember my brother in law the day i brought the jeep home saying that the roll bar was welded to the frame.

 

[Rust Bucket]

~~~ Did I miss something... A regular bar is OK unless you plan on killing the trails (the definition of KILLING is for interpretation). The roll cage tied to the frame is the best thing you can do....

No, you didn't miss anything. I just left out one important piece of information. My original bar is pretty damaged from a tree, plus it is actually the back half of a cage. The PO cut the front half of the bar off and left just the back. In other words, I have to replace the bar anyway, so why not go all out and do it right.