Blackdiamond (Gup-C build-up)

[blackdiamond]

This is a dash bar that's from one of their previous builds.  It looks very clean and non-intrusive.  I might be able to get some type of grab bar capability with it.

[mudmaster]

If your buckled in you shouldn't hit the bar in a collision.

[Rockcrawlintoy]

I would get a dash bar as well. Dont forget to pad everything as well

[H8PVMNT]

My buddy rolled on my cage in my '94 pickup pretty good coming up a nasty line out of a creek bed during a competition in a monsoon.  It was just the all pro kit with the sleeves and it didn't budge.  The only extra thing we did was super big floor plates and a cross bar in the rear hoop.  It was plenty, plenty stout.

[mudmaster]

I can't see a dash bar adding much cost??

[:)bestgen4runner]

 
Dash bar with an o handle for the passenger

[H8PVMNT]

I have this stuff:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Foam-Roll-Bar-Padding-36-Inch,896.html?sku=60415-BLK&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SMI%20-%20Shopping%20(CSE)%20(Bing)&utm_term=1100309958904&utm_content=Speedway%20%20(May16_2017)

[blackdiamond]

I can't see a dash bar adding much cost??

Again, it's not necessarily a cost issue but if a DOM cage without one is plenty strong enough I really don't need to feel like I'm in a race car.

[blackdiamond]

Dash bar with an o handle for the passenger

I will be checking out the reach to a grab bar while seat belted in to see, mostly to see if my wife could benefit.

[blackdiamond]

If your buckled in you shouldn't hit the bar in a collision.

Fact.

My biggest beef from a dash bar from a structural perspective is that you're only able to gain from the physical connections which is not nearly as effective as a diagonal brace.  I'm just not sure where a diagonal brace would go in the 4Runner that wouldn't be a total hassle...

[blackdiamond]

I peeked in the 4Runner tonight and was reminded why I don't love the idea of a cage. The placement of the cage will certainly make the simple act of rolling windows up and down a challenge.  Not a big deal, but there just isn't enough room for a cage to be incognito.

[:)bestgen4runner]

that's why I plan to put mine on the outside.
One of the reasons. 

[blackdiamond]

that's why I plan to put mine on the outside.
One of the reasons. 

When you put it like that...I am happy to deal with the issues related to an internal cage!

[joeyf]

Go through the dash. That always looks real nice.

[mudmaster]

Not an exo fan...........

[blackdiamond]

Go through the dash. That always looks real nice.

I am happy to pay for function, but the cosmetics side is a secondary annoyance. Low value dollars in my opinion to go to that level of custom. Perfect concept otherwise.

[:)bestgen4runner]

Not an exo fan...........

I agree with that on many of the Exo cages I have seen. When its done right, tight, and not over done I think it looks very clean.  Plus there is zero affect on space inside the vehicle.  They are already cramped inside.
I will really be thinking engine swap after the exo is installed. 
That's going to be a lot of extra weight for My poor little 22re to move around.
Side note, I should be able to get a look at the transfer case leak and possible damages this weekend. See what its going to take to fix it. 

[blackdiamond]

I agree with that on many of the Exo cages I have seen. When its done right, tight, and not over done I think it looks very clean.  Plus there is zero affect on space inside the vehicle.  They are already cramped inside.
I will really be thinking engine swap after the exo is installed. 
That's going to be a lot of extra weight for My poor little 22re to move around.
Side note, I should be able to get a look at the transfer case leak and possible damages this weekend. See what its going to take to fix it. 

More weight equals a higher CG.

[Willard]

Depending on ride height. Also depends on un-spring weight and gravity being on your side lol.


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[blackdiamond]

Depending on ride height. Also depends on un-spring weight and gravity being on your side lol.


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You'd be hard pressed to not raise the CG some by the addition of any type of cage. The 4x Innovations kit weighs about 125 lbs which is more than my spare tire that I keep as low and forward as possible.  One year in Moab I even folded the rear seat down and strapped the spare tire behind the front seats.  I am in the "minimal weight" school of thought.

[blackdiamond]

I drove the 4Runner to work this morning and it felt perfect.  I enjoyed having my shift cadence back and other than at idle the engine seemed ultra smooth.  I didn't realize it until I was headed home, but it's the first time I have driven it since I switched back to premium.  I've consistently noticed that it runs smoother on premium fuel but don't really have scientific reason that it should.  This isn't the first time that I've had that "smooth" feeling with premium fuel, but since I didn't even think about anything other than how smooth it felt I have a hard time believing that it's just a placebo effect.

I did a drive-by for Those Guys Rod and Customs on the way home.  I plan to swing by on Tuesday to have a chat about the cage install.

[blackdiamond]

On the schedule to drop the 4Runner off on July 7th and the cage will go in the following week.  Now she sits...

[mudmaster]

No Evans creek on 6/10?

[blackdiamond]

No Evans creek on 6/10?

Nope. With the new dog and needing to work some Sunday's coming up it'll be family time for a while.

[blackdiamond]

Being patient/slow has paid off.  Now that I've sold the short shifter I am planning to purchase a 12voltguy winch panel and would have likely gone for the coin tray location on the left side of the steering wheel, but I think the upcoming roll cage would make that a poor location.

My current thought/plan is the center ash tray location, but it seems like a large panel for only two switches.  For the winch I want the power switch w/cover and a toggle with bars on either side.  Any other suggestions for other buttons?  I don't have selectable lockers.  I had considered disguising some type of ignition kill switch as a locker or rear winch or light or...

thoughts?

[joeyf]

Just about anything you could imagine.

[blackdiamond]

Today after work I dropped the 4Runner off at Those Guys Rod and Customs <www.thoseguysrodandcustoms.com> to have an internal roll cage installed next week. I should be getting some photo updates throughout the process.

The plan is what they call a family roll cage and will include a dash bar with a passenger grab bar and a cross brace behind the rear seats. It should extend to the back similarly to the OEM roll bar.  It'll be interesting to see what it looks like when finished.

The main tubes will be 1.75" x 0.120" wall DOM and the spreaders will be 1.50" x 0.120" DOM.  Based on the projects on their website and the cages in the rigs in their parking lot I am expecting to be impressed and very happy with the final product.  I left them with both the soft and hard tops to make sure that everything will work.

[blackdiamond]

I did a drive by on the 4Runner today and it didn't look like anything had happened today. He said it would take the week when I made the appointment so maybe that just gives him some flexibility in his schedule since there are four or five vehicles in the shop and I think it's only a two man team.  Waiting patiently as I have no reason to be in a rush.

[blackdiamond]

Not much progress reported on the 4Runner cage. I don't think they worked on it at all yesterday and he said the hydraulic bender started shooting fluid across the shop today so it's out for repair and expected back tomorrow.  They got the floor plates done and some preliminary measurements taken so they should be ready to start bending tube once the bender is ready to go.

[blackdiamond]

After a couple more emails it is clear that the overall plan for the cage is for it to end at the rear wheel wells rather than running the full length in the back.  This would equate to the 4x Innovation passenger length kit with the exception that it'll use vertical pillars at the back instead of having an angled bar running from the B-pillars.  This will allow a diagonal bar behind the rear seats (top driver to bottom passenger).  Having a true diagonal will add a lot of strength and it's just not practical to have one between the B-pillars.  He confirmed that my rear view mirror will still be functional which is nice to hear.  I like the concept of a passenger length cage because it reduced the amount of tubing/weight, keeps the added weight as far forward as possible, and provides what's most important.