28-JUL-2013
Side view of the angles of the C pillar top tube and gussets
This shows the bends and angles of the top tube of the C pillar. I'm really happy with how it turned out, nice tight joints and some triangulation for strength.
28-JUL-2013
Main cage
My plan is to build an overhead console in between the two straight tubes coming off of the A pillar. The console will house some switches, an interior LED light, and a place to mount my CB radio.
28-JUL-2013
Side view of cage
Everything is tacked together and straight ready to be yanked out and fully welded. but before that can happen I need to bend all the tubing for the bottom of the cage to mount the front and rear seats.
04-AUG-2013
Rear seat bracket
I am using a YJ Fold and Tumble rear seat and naturally I want to be able to put passengers in the back but I also want to be able to fold the seat up and utilize the area in the back.
Since I am mounting the seat to the cage I needed to design a seat bracket that will fold forward as well as stay firmly in place with passengers seated.
04-AUG-2013
Closing the ends
Instead of welding a piece on the end as a cap I cut and bent the 1" square tubing for a cleaner look.
04-AUG-2013
Front of seat bracket
After a few test fits for size and location I cut and folded over the front end of the tube bracket for a closed end finish.
04-AUG-2013
Bent over and ready for welding
The ends of the tube bent over nicely for a nice finished look.
04-AUG-2013
Seat bracket installed in base of seat
The seat bracket all welded and bolted up to the seat for a test fit and measurements on on the cage for the pivot point of the bracket.
04-AUG-2013
Pivot/hinge brackets for cage
I made these brackets to be welded to the cage so that the seat bracket can be bolted to the cage with shoulder bolts and pivot freely forward but still be bolted firmly with no rattles.
05-AUG-2013
Tube clamps to remove cage
Once I figured out how the rear seat was going to mount and how many more tubes I was going to add to the rear of the cage, it allowed me to place my cage tube clamps in the correct places for cage removal. I have one on each C pillar tube and two of them on the cross tube between the C pillars.
Just about 1 5/16" is removed from the tube to squeeze in the tube clamp fitting.
05-AUG-2013
C pillar Tube clamps tacked
I placed the C pillar tube clamps just above the the top of the tub so I "should" have ample room to remove the cage.
They're tacked in place so too late now!
05-AUG-2013
Cross bar Tube clamps
I placed two of the tube clamps on the tube that connects both C pillar tubes. I tacked them in place so that the fit would remain correct and the tube will fit correctly.