Roll cage kits Updated: last install video uploaded

[ryoken]

your assumption is that this "The people that hop online and order a pre fabbed cage, are the people that want a cage so they dont roll and kill themselves, but they want an easy install,"

is the automatic customer base.... want that, run down to the local shop and have em build one for ya jiffy quick...

be pretty easy I would think for Kert to sell a bada$$ cage package that goes with his already cool dash...

or with a couple simple cut's, be run thru the stock dash... it's not the dash cutting, mounting, etc that's hard about going thru the dash, it's the actual correct bending of the tube.. if those difficult bends where done for someone, the rest is easy peezy...

 

[cybrfire]

Let's not get to crazy here fellas.

I don't think its to much more difficult to go through the dash. I think the only real reason one would be chosen over the other,

"I like my factory dash."

Which that's cool. Got no problem with that.

Just getting a feel for what the majority wants for a place to start. There is no sayin' we wouldn't do both. I'd rather not stock parts for both but hey, if there is enough orders for both, then that is what you do.

 

[Deuling]

your assumption is that this "The people that hop online and order a pre fabbed cage, are the people that want a cage so they dont roll and kill themselves, but they want an easy install,"

is the automatic customer base.... want that, run down to the local shop and have em build one for ya jiffy quick...

be pretty easy I would think for Kert to sell a bada$$ cage package that goes with his already cool dash...

or with a couple simple cut's, be run thru the stock dash... it's not the dash cutting, mounting, etc that's hard about going thru the dash, it's the actual correct bending of the tube.. if those difficult bends where done for someone, the rest is easy peezy...

It is a good point paul. And I know I would personally buy a kit with the in dash option. But not everyone has somebody in town that builds cages. Some people live out in BFE and drive their vehicle as a daily driver and cant just take it somewhere for a week and be without.

But if I was never on ck5, and had never learned the "right way" to build stuff.... I would probably hop on google, type in "k5 cage" and order one that looked the easiest to install.

Im just trying to look at the point of view of the guy that wants the easy way out of something. Which alot of people really do.

I dont know who would be the biggest buyer, but I think the easy way is what alot of people would look at as well.

 

[bp71k5]

Just cut the tube off right before it hits the dash. Then include a 12" internal sleeve and an option for "through" or "front" of dash. The customer then just welds on a tube that bends down in front of the dash or one goes through it. Kert probably has to ship it in <6ft sections anyway.

 

[cybrfire]

Shipping them will be the kicker and we're already working that end of things. I have some ideas and communicating with UPS.

 

[stan1688]

Just cut the tube off right before it hits the dash. Then include a 12" internal sleeve and an option for "through" or "front" of dash. The customer then just welds on a tube that bends down in front of the dash or one goes through it. Kert probably has to ship it in <6ft sections anyway.

This. Have the around the dash option be made to order and specify that so people know when ordering.

Personally, I'd rather have a through the dash cage, though.

 

[NorCal69]

There is only one correct answer to this question.

 

[shady]

I never said I was an expert on any of it, and argument is how a company can find what they really should do, so lets argue...

I just think that the guys that want a sick cage that spend time and alot of $$$ on it, are going to build it themselves to make it the way they want.

The people that hop online and order a pre fabbed cage, are the people that want a cage so they dont roll and kill themselves, but they want an easy install, otherwise why not DIY??? I dont think its a bad point.

Everyone in here but sean that voted against my point has built there own cage... So Idk how you can relate to someone that wants a pre fabbed one.

So true
really the only difference we're talking about is the A pillar bars.. right. like mentioned..... why cant there be complete 'through' bars AND complete 'in front' bars designed and built. then when the customer orders you just give them the choice the rest of the cage would be the same either way.

 

[cybrfire]

Let's not get to crazy here fellas.

I don't think its to much more difficult to go through the dash. I think the only real reason one would be chosen over the other,

"I like my factory dash."

Which that's cool. Got no problem with that.

Just getting a feel for what the majority wants for a place to start. There is no sayin' we wouldn't do both. I'd rather not stock parts for both but hey, if there is enough orders for both, then that is what you do.

So true
really the only difference we're talking about is the A pillar bars.. right. like mentioned..... why cant there be complete 'through' bars AND complete 'in front' bars designed and built. then when the customer orders you just give them the choice the rest of the cage would be the same either way.

Just like I said.

It is just the A pillar bars for the basic kit but depending on options would also effect a frame cage tie in. Floor plates could well be different and the door bar options would also be different.

 

[Richcz28]

Roll cage kits

Where I live, even though I am right next to a big city, I have never seen a roll cage shop or a cage in anything besides a miata on the street. I do not have a bender, but I am beginning to have some success with welding to the point where I would trust my welds on a kit like this. I also cannot readily buy Dom tube from the local steel shop. It must be special ordered. I asked when I got steel for my sliders and they said it will be $$.

These factors make me an ideal candidate for this cage. The most important part for me would be the rear section protecting any backseat passengers. The next thing I would want is the ability to easily create bars to mount seats to. These don't have to be provided as seats may not be standard, but I would want a bar across the floor on each side that makes this possible. I would also definitely want frame tie ins because of floor rust.

In regards to the in the dash vs out of the dash. I am skinny and it is not like we have Cjs where every inch matters. I would be fine with in front of the dash. My only concern with the through dash design would be cutting into the factory dash because I have not done it before. I couldn't care less about the dash. Of course my badass 3.5 inch speakers are in there and then I would have no radio.

 

[howdiy]

poop pipe doesn't count...

Hey man, mines poo pipe


And to the question, I'd say in front of. Most people that are willing to cut the dash up and put it through probably want to build the cage themselves. Going through the dash really is a lot more hassle and tears a lot more stuff up. At the same time a person willing to go through the dash probably has more fab skills and the cage would be less likely to have weak welds


Is there going to be a cross bar tying the two a pilars in?

Are you going to do a halo with down tubes or down tubes with a crossbar up top

A package that included your dash would be a cool setup for a through version though

 

[76zimmer]

I know you dont care for my opinions but....


You guys that have sick cages, all built them yourselves, and have benders because you want them to be built your way. I think somebody that orders a kit, just wants a cage so they dont kill themselves and really isnt looking for a sick cage, but they are looking for easy... Hence the reason they are ordering a pre fabbed cage and not building one..... BECAUSE THEY WANT EASY.

I like through the dash, but as said earlier it is a lot more work and requires hacking the dash up, especially if you are talking me trying to cut the holes for it.

As a business decision my opinion would be that it would be easier to design one for in front of the dash that fit nicely and you may sell more of them which would probably increase your profit margin. For custom thru the dash they will pay accordingly anyway.

I think back to how many posts have been on here asking for weld together cages and most have been for in front of the dash.

I had mine built so it could be used on another rig or strip the body off add to it and make a buggy.

I ordered a S&W cage kit, and it sucked. we only used 2 pieces in their intended location...in front of the dash for me was impractical, it was a knee knocker, through the dash was easy as I had the windshield out, and the dash pad off already, and I wanted to tie into the firewall and out to the engine cage as well. So a ready made pile of pipes from what I found was a compromise...I'm sure Kert's will blow away the fit of the S&W cage even if it is in front of the dash.

 

[blazinzuk]

So I say through the dash with one caveat, get a dash cut it down and take about a billion pics of the whole process.

I think most people would like to go through the dash but the whole idea intimidates them.

So if you had a very detailed instruction set with the front down bars I would say through the dash.

Not sure if shipping is gonna change it but if you did a halo type front you could just do 2 different down bars.

Make the door bars an add on option. Then you could still make profit on stocking 2 down bars and 2 door bars.

I also think I would charge more for the through the dash, cause its cooler

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I voted in dash just cuz that's be a cooler option. But realistically. It makes sense from a stocking point to do in front of dash or even both options.

 

[muddermilitia]

I ordered a S&W cage kit, and it sucked. we only used 2 pieces in their intended location...in front of the dash for me was impractical, it was a knee knocker, through the dash was easy as I had the windshield out, and the dash pad off already, and I wanted to tie into the firewall and out to the engine cage as well. So a ready made pile of pipes from what I found was a compromise...I'm sure Kert's will blow away the fit of the S&W cage even if it is in front of the dash.

This, I just cut the front half of my S&W cage out of my truck (I now have an exo cage) It made getting into the truck much more difficult and when my left hand was on the steering wheel it got real close to the A-pillar. In fact I hit my hand on the tube several times while trying to quickly maneuver the truck around. Having the A-pillar tubes go in front of the dash is annoying and I would never do it again that way

 

[cybrfire]

Either way we do it, or both, I intend on doing an installation video so that should cover the photos and instruction portion of things.

I looked at it a little bit more today and have some thoughts on a few points. When I get a chance i'll make a post detailing some of these.

For right now, i'll say this, we'll be doing both cage kits. This post has helped me decide which way to go first.

 

[raymos]

Awesome ill be watching and waiting patiently...

 

[AJs72K5]

Am I to assume that we're talking 2nd gens only here?

 

[KirsL]

Will this be for K5s only or will us regular cab pickup guys be included too? Though my truck wont see hardcore wheeling the idea of a basic decent cage will make her a whole lot safer even on the street.

Oh and through the dash. Looks like you were lazy with it front of the dash.

 

[cybrfire]

OK, sorry for the delay. I fell asleep in my recliner.

We have two distinctly different cages being discusssed right now. While the basic kit would only be different a pillar bars for us, its a lot different on the users end.

For instance, when you drop the tube through the dash, there are some sacrifices that have to be made. The ebrake pedal is most certainly in the way on the drivers side. On the passenger side its the fresh air vent. You really can't go shallower into the dash to clear these without then poking the tube back through the lower portions of the dash. The lower mounting point will be on the slanted portion of the foot well leading up to the firewall. This portion of the floor has no structure to it what so ever. That being the case a frame cage tie in at that point, IMO is absolutely necessary. There are some work arounds for the ebrake and vent being discussed but they aren't the most elegant. The vent isn't so bad but the ebrake is cause for concern. There are ways to get around these things but they also have their issues. Still alot of discussion and some designs being crafted so we haven't set anything in stone just yet.

In front of the dash there are the issues of decreased leg room for ingress and egress and ultimately the air vents are blocked. These tube can definitely make contact with your legs in a nasty rollover so again, IMO they would need padding applied. One advantage to this cage is you can set the foot right on top of the rocker support which has a lot of structure. It wouldn't necessarily need to be tied back to the frame.

That's just some of the discussion right now.

The cage will be a b-pillar hoop, halo and a-pillar bars including floor plates designed for each of the two kits, in front and through. From there we will add options to the basic kit.

The first will be done in a standard pickup cab. Then we'll get the basic kit in the blazer followed by the family cage in the blazer and then suburbans and lastly crew cab if their is enough demand for such a thing.