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OT
April 29th, 2006, 17:10
Since I finally had a day off, I got to do some much needed cage work today.
I'm trying to have it ready by next weekend, so time is of the essence.
I completed a lot of what I wanted to do, but I still have a little more tube to add and a few gussets to weld in.


The cage started life as a bare bones D&C (dandcextreme.com) prefabbed kit.
The way it was originally....

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=251971&img=HPIM0767.jpg


A couple of years later, after some much needed trimming......

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=462777&img=HPIM1593.jpg

Since I wasn't limited by that pesky sheetmetal anymore, I went ahead and cut out the rear cage....

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=462778&img=HPIM1595.jpg

Eveything that's unpainted is what I did today....

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=469280&img=HPIM1612.jpg

I reenforced the rear spring mount.

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=469281&img=HPIM1613.jpg

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=469279&img=HPIM1614.jpg



I'll add more pictures after I get done with it Monday.....
RyanM
April 29th, 2006, 18:11
looks good. but that is new tubing correct. what kind of welder you laying beads with
CanMan
April 29th, 2006, 18:14
Lookin nice Okie. Nice welding job BTW too.
OT
April 29th, 2006, 18:15
New tubing+old bends+'60's MIG=huh?
Matt S.
April 29th, 2006, 18:32
I am going to be totally blunt... would you expect any less from me? lol


I dont like it. Here is why! You BEAT your rig, you know just as well as I do that that back leg wont take a beating very long. You got it done, so run it. When you have to REdo it, make it straight from the Cpillar to the shackle then add tube to build up the storage area. Also, not that it matters with your rig anymore; my cage is just like yours in the back and I have already buckled the back some. Its just not strong like that. The ass end is bending up.

Your going to be due for a body swap before to long and i'm sure you'll do a ton different. But, thats what I think.
OT
April 29th, 2006, 18:39
I am going to be totally blunt... would you expect any less from me? lol


I dont like it. Here is why! You BEAT your rig, you know just as well as I do that that back leg wont take a beating very long. You got it done, so run it. When you have to REdo it, make it straight from the Cpillar to the shackle then add tube to build up the storage area. Also, not that it matters with your rig anymore; my cage is just like yours in the back and I have already buckled the back some. Its just not strong like that. The ass end is bending up.

Your going to be due for a body swap before to long and i'm sure you'll do a ton different. But, thats what I think.
x2, but the only reason it's not straight from the C-pillar ist to protect the box.
There will be more tube added to it when I finish it up on Monday.
I can't really brace in above the box or it won't open.
I just have to do the best with what I have to work with.

Man, I think about body swaps every time I see an XJ.:thumbup:
OT
April 30th, 2006, 08:30
Well, it turns out, after some quick measurements, that the cage is quite twisted.
There is a one inch difference between the B-hoop and the down tube in the D-hoop.
You can see in the picture.

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=469346&img=HPIM1616.jpg

Seems, I should have put in a lot more triangulation earlier in the build and not wheeled it until it was.
Now I'm having to make adjustments as I go.
Next time, I will go with at least 1.75" and have much more reenforcement and a lot more gusseting.

Anyway, take it for what it's worth, but, in my opinion, while it is a great starter for a full bodied XJ, the D&C cage alone, isn't strong enough for hard wheeling.

Any other criticism?
Feel free to nitpick.
XJ_ranger
April 30th, 2006, 08:33
better be wheelable by next weekend... :D
Rev Den
April 30th, 2006, 09:17
I think it sucks.

HTH

Rev :D
87manche
April 30th, 2006, 11:05
it's gonna fold like a taco...
FarmerMatt
April 30th, 2006, 18:31
one huge pile o crap & that's putting it nicely...
buzzbombxj
May 3rd, 2006, 11:15
http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=462777&img=HPIM1593.jpg



why is the passenger seat full of hay?
CRASH
May 3rd, 2006, 12:09
why is the passenger seat full of hay?


Ever hear of a "roll in the hay"?
buzzbombxj
May 3rd, 2006, 12:23
id have thrown it in the back, those front seats are cramped, like they were only designed for one person each...

great looking welds by the way
jeepinandy
May 3rd, 2006, 12:33
Thats the EXACT same plans I have for mine..
Wheel it til the body starts to fall off. Cut off what hasn't fell off, then wheel it some more... Make adjustments as needed...

:cheers:
GSequoia
May 3rd, 2006, 13:30
My god that's an ugly Jeep.
87manche
May 3rd, 2006, 14:29
why is the passenger seat full of hay?
something about what happens in Attica stays in Attica comes to mind.
jrsxj98
May 3rd, 2006, 14:29
My god that's an ugly Jeep.

Yeah but have you seen the mug that drives it...:laugh2:
GSequoia
May 3rd, 2006, 16:15
Yeah but have you seen the mug that drives it...:laugh2:

Unfortunatly I have.

:scared:
OT
May 3rd, 2006, 19:05
Thanks for all the compliments everyone!
I haven't had the kind of time, this week, that I wanted to put into the XJ, but I got the main pieces in that I needed.
I'll truss it up later.
I'm ready to wheel......

http://www.savepic.com/freepicturehosting/is.php?i=470087&img=HPIM1618.jpg
xj-fx
May 3rd, 2006, 19:31
Was that straw in the Jeep when you were welding...
OT
May 3rd, 2006, 19:44
Was that straw in the Jeep when you were welding...
Not much.
Jump This
May 4th, 2006, 17:08
My god that's an ugly Jeep.
Uglier than Remi's?
99xjache
May 4th, 2006, 18:12
Uglier than Remi's?

YES...................................well, maybe not.
Kejtar
May 4th, 2006, 18:36
YES...................................well, maybe not.
:twak: aren't you supposed to be packing??
Kejtar
May 4th, 2006, 18:37
Uglier than Remi's?
Ohh...... you'll be in Big Bear :D :D :firedevil: :D
GSequoia
May 4th, 2006, 21:47
Uglier than Remi's?

Impossible.
Kejtar
May 4th, 2006, 21:55
Impossible.
Dude.... Mine may be ugly... but we're all hoping that you can make it up that hill tomorrow cause we need that grill :D
LilRedRover
May 5th, 2006, 04:56
I think it's time for Okie to rock buggy it with a real frame... Just curious okie, with the cage twisted like that, have you looked under to see if the unibody is cracked or anything? God I hope not cause that thing is bad ass, but I would think it's taken some twisting too.
GSequoia
May 9th, 2006, 23:29
That's a good question.

IS Terry's unibody fawked.

IS it?

Bet it is :D

Bet he doesn't care.
BlueGerbil
May 9th, 2006, 23:40
My god that's an ugly Jeep.

Yep, as ugly as it gets...
Roxtar
May 10th, 2006, 05:57
I think it's time for Okie to rock buggy it with a real frame... Just curious okie, with the cage twisted like that, have you looked under to see if the unibody is cracked or anything? God I hope not cause that thing is bad ass, but I would think it's taken some twisting too.Yea, cause then it'll be harder to get the alignment just right.
And THAT could lead to premature tire wear and high speed handling issues.
OT
May 10th, 2006, 19:46
Yea, cause then it'll be harder to get the alignment just right.
And THAT could lead to premature tire wear and high speed handling issues.
I was wondering why the sidewalls were wearing so quickly.