Mixing square tube with round in cage work a faux pas?

[dremu]

The last of my cage work would be to make mounts for the seats and belts/harnesses, so they're tied to the cage and not the body.

I don't have immediate access to a bender and it's tough to justify the $$ for one when I only need a coupla, say, 45* bends done, to come up from the floor to clear the tranny hump.

Alternately, I could get square or rectangular tube, cut it, and be on my way.

Is bending THAT much stronger, or is there some mechanical reason that tube is preferred?

I realize it's aesthetically a mish-mash, but one tries to save money where one can.

-- A

 

[pblaze725]

I just read a similar thread:
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=267689&highlight=Square+tube+roll+cage
...Fuel for the fire

 

[dirtygoat]

Like stated in the link... They use square tubing on heavy equipment...

It's more going to come down to how well you build it... Make sure everything fits well and you burn it in really good...

Everyone I know is using square tube for their sliders and we drop the full weight of our rigs on those things all day long... No problems thus far...

 

[imiceman44]

If all you are doing with the square is the seat mounts and seat belts, then no one can argue the strength.
The cage integrity is not compromised that way plus square is easier to make mounting points on for seats and seatbelts.
Go for it.

The last of my cage work would be to make mounts for the seats and belts/harnesses, so they're tied to the cage and not the body.

I don't have immediate access to a bender and it's tough to justify the $$ for one when I only need a coupla, say, 45* bends done, to come up from the floor to clear the tranny hump.

Alternately, I could get square or rectangular tube, cut it, and be on my way.

Is bending THAT much stronger, or is there some mechanical reason that tube is preferred?

I realize it's aesthetically a mish-mash, but one tries to save money where one can.

-- A

 

[blazinzuk]

No problem at all using square there. not at all.

 

[JPOutfitters]

I used square for my seats, seatbelts, and Door bracing for my circle track car! It helps the seats sit tighter against the frames and much easier to cut and weld angles then trying to bend or cut angles in round tube.

 

[Metal Twister]

Lots of OEM stuff is square in un seen places. I wouldnt get all caught up on the strength issues. It really isnt one. I build Custom seats for hot rods and other vehicles... youll be fine!

 

[miniwally]

A 2"x2" 1/8" Wall square tube is probably stronger than 2" .120 DOM tubing

Using a mix is fine. I could see things looking like ass if not done correctly, however doing seat mounts and the like out of square should look right and be easy.