Dave, how about X-ing out the top?
like this...
Eric and I discussed this Paul, and once we got the seats in, it wasn't an option for head clearance...we even tried the stock bench in there, and it wasn't any lower than the Super Duty's I'm using.
We thought by running a brace from midway on the middle overhead bar to the outer point on the B hoop would provide integrity to the center bar. I am also going to add a couple of Kert's tube gussets to the rear of that center bar: There is one tacked in place on the right of the center upper bar:
What about adding the green diagonal to keep the circled bend from collapsing in a roll over? Nothing major, but should add major structural integrity to that bend...
I think that the crossbar between the two outside bars will keep it from a total collapse, those bars also have the plate welded to the body to keep them a little more solid, and the 2 diagonals from the rear crossbar down to the sides ties them together with "triagulation"
And again Kert's tube gussets will be used in the corners too.
You'll notice that puts a brace bar directly over a rear passengers head. Clearance would likely be an issue and you run a higher risk of a rear passenger smacking their head on the overhead brace.
I like as much bracing and triangulation as possible, but when it creates a potential for head trauma I don't think it's worth it.
Same goes for the suggested side bars in the rear.
Rene
Eric and I did make a head circle to allow movement without collision with the bars, I think this will provide good overhead protection and still have plenty of headroom.
I agree with rene. When I make my dads cage which is what adam wants just a simple back cage to protect the rear passengers with the top off. I wouln't have put that straight bar from the B pillar back. I would have put an X there. But I understand you need it for the 5 points
Right Jess, it does provide some cross bracing to the cage at a lower point, and also an anchor point for the shoulder harness'
All in all, I have a little more tube to put in, and tried some of the suggested bracing across the middle of the sides, but didn't come up with anything that I liked, and still provided good access to the sides.
As far as getting in the back, the front seats slide on tracks, and also tilt forward, and other than getting over the middle bar behind the front seats, its not bad getting back there.
We tried the hardtop on today and all the bars have about .75-1" of clearance between the bar and the top. The sides have about .5" by the window frames. I got one of the top diagonal bars fitted today, Ill try to get the other tomorrow, and then add the tube gussets to finish off the rear of the cage.
)
....I got a couple projects ahead of ya, but talk to me now, if you want to make it simple, we'll set something up in the future
