Started messing with some cage design ideas since we were a little (very) slow at work today. Here is what I came up with so far. Input and suggestions are appreciated.
The black bars in the side view shot are part of the C pillar bracing and behind-the-seat cross bar supports. I am going to have to kick the cross bar backwards from the C pillar upright to clear the seat. The seat angles back enough where the shock mount tube goes is below the headrests of the rear bench so I can't just bring bracing straight up to the C pillar in the same plane as the C pillar hoop.
The dashed line tubes in these sketches are optional but would be all or none. I would prefer to not use them if possible since I think they would reduce headroom above the front and rear bench seats but I will put them in if popular opinion says to do it. The B pillar bracing is something unique I came up with to still allow sufficient access to the rear seat. A normal X, \/, or /\ design just isn't going to cut it. This modified X design would spread the load over 4 tie in points via the bottom crossbar. The two outer tie ins would go to the frame and the middle two tie ins would just be bolted to the floor over the body mounts.
I could do away with the W bracing if not needed but the rest would stay since I need the diagonal braces for shock mount tabs and the cross bar for a shelf system for the rear cargo area. The upper cross bar in the D pillar pic would be the rear of the cargo shelf
I think this is my favorite view. With the tailgate up you are not going to see anything below the W bracing. The grayed out tubes are the C pillar bracing and shock mount tubes.
Here are some inspiration pics I have grabbed a few ideas from.
The black bars in the side view shot are part of the C pillar bracing and behind-the-seat cross bar supports. I am going to have to kick the cross bar backwards from the C pillar upright to clear the seat. The seat angles back enough where the shock mount tube goes is below the headrests of the rear bench so I can't just bring bracing straight up to the C pillar in the same plane as the C pillar hoop.
The dashed line tubes in these sketches are optional but would be all or none. I would prefer to not use them if possible since I think they would reduce headroom above the front and rear bench seats but I will put them in if popular opinion says to do it. The B pillar bracing is something unique I came up with to still allow sufficient access to the rear seat. A normal X, \/, or /\ design just isn't going to cut it. This modified X design would spread the load over 4 tie in points via the bottom crossbar. The two outer tie ins would go to the frame and the middle two tie ins would just be bolted to the floor over the body mounts.
I could do away with the W bracing if not needed but the rest would stay since I need the diagonal braces for shock mount tabs and the cross bar for a shelf system for the rear cargo area. The upper cross bar in the D pillar pic would be the rear of the cargo shelf
I think this is my favorite view. With the tailgate up you are not going to see anything below the W bracing. The grayed out tubes are the C pillar bracing and shock mount tubes.
Here are some inspiration pics I have grabbed a few ideas from.
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. Definitely a motivator to get this thing finished ASAP, just wish my schedule allowed me to get out in the garage more often.
