Awesome work!
Great work so far, can't wait to see your finished product!
Click the image above to visit our website!
Mike
F/R Rubicon Axles
3.5 Rock Krawler X-Factor
17" AE Beadlocks
37" Nitto Trail Grapplers
JE Reel F. Shaft 1310
Poison Spyder Brawler Mid Front Bumper
Poison Spyder Crusher Flares
Poison Spyder Armor & Rocker Knockers
JCR Offroad Crusader Rear Bumper/Carrier
6" KC Slimlites
Thanks for the kind words.
Ringer- I have considered the stock rectangle cross tube and I have decided not to replace it, but will be reinforcing it in key spots. It is .120ish wall rectangle tube, albeit bent with some holes. I think the main shortcoming is the way it attaches to the side rails.
Today's progress was the front two roof bars. The key here was to make sure there was no chance of head-to bar- impact while wheeling or on the street. These bars will eventually be padded with a two stage impact rated pad.
I also wanted these to be in the same plane as the outer roof bars.
also included are some pics of how I like to finish my tube ends.
I sand the end to be welded so that wall thickness is full value(no paper thin edges)
I then use the slack side of the belt to clean the mill scale off to improve weld quality.
Some progress pics:
![]()
Damn! Looks outstanding!
_________________________________________________
Gecko 2013 JK
Crawler Conceptz Stinger | ACE Sliders | DayStar Leveling Kit | 35" Goodyear MTR/Ks | ProComp 7069s
XRC Flat Fenders | Smittybilt Roof Rack | HID Projector Headlights | 3x 20" LED Bars
Looks great. What are your plans for tying into the frame or are you just planning on leaving it welded to the body?
RubiXconNo matter what you have, there is ALWAYS a better way to do it.My build thread- https://www.jkfreaks.com/forums/showt...ld-up-of-JKarl
There will be a oversized corresponding plate on the bottom side of the floor at each leg of the cage with through bolts to tie them together.
I think even a bushing style frame tie in would be to ridges for this daily driver.
Just More Welding Today, but I thought I would post a tip that I am sometimes reminded of the hard way
When welding a captured tube (especially with TIG) the hot gas inside the tube will build pressure as you apply heat and it needs somewhere to go. Sometimes as you are just finishing welding the circumference of a tube closed, the hot gas will caused the weld pool to "pop" out and leave you with a nasty blow out that cannot be filled until everything cools off.
The solution to this is to drill a small vent hole, preferably somewhere that will be covered by an intersecting tube so the hot gas can escape while you weld.
![]()
I'm just getting into welding, learning more all the time. Although I don't see a custom cage in my near future, this is still a great tip. Thanks!
Cage looks awesome. Can't wait to see how it all looks when you have the trim and everything buttoned up. I hope you took good measurements and plans, you could sell kits.![]()
2014 Black JK Sport-icon - My "Lil' Mule"
JCR Offroad | Rock Krawler | Barnes 4WD | Artec | RCV | Ten Factory
My Build Progress