New project at Ahole Fab

[RAT]

Air powered mortar that can shoot potatoes or chaff depending on the situation.

I shot milk out my nose and don't drink milk!

[aw12345]

Jump start plug, so you can just plug the cables in, in case an old YJ needs a jump start
Put a hinged cover over it and that would be pretty slick

[RAT]

I got another whopping two hours to work on the beastie tonight but got some stuff done. The outer A-B tie ins are in, the center ones will be fit tomorrow.


roll cage aa2001 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa2002 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa2003 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa2005 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Dash bar, upper center, and lower A-B tie ins will be done tomorrow night. Then hopefully I can get my neighbor to come help me lift the cage out so I can weld it.
Oh, Daniel I jump in and out of the seat real easy. Once you have a bar to grab onto it makes all the difference.

[daniel_buck]

I like it! :-D

I'll have to play around with some soft-top ideas with a few towels, easiest way would be to make the soft top fit the A-B connecting bar width. But I could also make it a bit wider, so that it wraps around the bend of the A pillar and B pillar hoops. I don't think this thing will go fast enough for flapping to be a problem, haha!

I'll sandwich a few small pieces of rubber inbetween the front of the cage and the windshield, and then just strap it down snug to the top of the cage, and not even use the factory windshield latches. Those things are a b*tch, haha.

I'm actually quite happy with that shape of the cage. I invisiioned this not being nearly as nice looking as having the A and C pillar being all one tube. But this looks nice

The dash bar, about how high are you thinking? Lower, or higher? not sure what would be best, I don't think I really have a preference. Though I guess when the windshield is lowered, a dash bar that is lower rather than higher would probably look better. If there's not much structural difference, I'd keep it lower, closer to the dash than the glass.

So my intention was to paint the tubes the same color green as the rest of the jeep (I have a box full of spray cans, haha!) But I'm wondering, black might look good too, being that the seats and steering wheel are black. Opinions? I may have to do some photoshop tests ;-)


It's difficult to see with the tarp over, but the b-pillar bar behind the seats, is that high enough for a harness mount? or would a hoop or something be used to mount the harness to the bar? I won't be putting in a harness just yet, but it'll eventually be in there.

Oh and I want my green towel back, that towel has alot of history ;-) haha!

I'm REALLY looking forward to driving this thing with the new seats & all, it's going to be so much more comfortable!

[RAT]

The rear seat bar is about 6 inches below the top of the back of the seat. Should be plenty good for a harness. The Dash bar is going right below the tube directly under the glass in the window. At that height you can mount stuff on it just as if you had a modern dash. At this point you can still close the window latches, but if you put weatherstripping or something between the cage and the window frame you will need to weld on tabs. But it sounds like you are going to be doing more welding projects on her anyway so there you go.

[daniel_buck]

Indeed, I will be welding on some tabs here and there to mount various things, we'll see. I keep under estimating how small this thing is, so I may end up not mounting as many thigns as I had originally planned. haha!

If there's not a structural reason to keep the dash bar higher up, I think I would prefer it to be a bit lower, closer to the dash than the glass. As I don't intend on using the factory windshield latches, blocking access to them isn't a concern of mine. Unless you think it's going to be best to use both the factory latches, and a strap up top on the windshield. If that's the case, I'd make the bar as low as you can while still having access to the latches. I'll let you decide that, since you have the jeep in hand and might be seeing something different than I'm thinking

[jonah]

mmmmm, nose milk.

That is looking really good, I like the double bend in the A-B connectors. It is tough to get a cage in these that has enough head room and doesn't look awkwardly tall.

[daniel_buck]

I agree, having the bend up top looks pretty good I think. It seems to be the only way to get a user friendly cage in one of these jeeps that hasn't been stretched so that the seats can sit alot lower.

[RAT]

All the tubing is cut, fit and in place. Now to take it out and finish weld everything. Should do that tomorrow after work.

roll cage aa3006 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa3005 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa3004 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa3003 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa3001 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

I'll have more pics tomorrow. After the welding is done I get to go to work on the rot under the floor. I'm so happy I could:poop:

[daniel_buck]

coming together!!

I think I will be building some boxes, or hanging some mesh bags from the dash bar, to put things like sunglasses, wallet, phone and other things in there. As well as maybe 2 drink holders.

[RAT]

My neighbor came over and helped take the roll cage out for welding today. Problem is, we dropped it, it broke in the a hundred pieces and is not good any more. Sorry Daniel...

[RAT]

OK so maybe not broken. Just kiddin...
I'll weld it up tomorrow and have it back in the Jeep tomorrow night. The seats are done so the last thing will be the floor repair. I'll post some more pics of the cage out of the Jeep tomorrow.


roll cage aa4001 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


roll cage aa4002 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

[daniel_buck]

If the floor repair isn't critical for the cage install, leave that to me. I'll take care of it. :-)

[RAT]

If the floor repair isn't critical for the cage install, leave that to me. I'll take care of it. :-)

The work I'm doing has to be done. Don't worry, she'll give you hours and hours of repair fun. Plenty of rust, bondo, fiberglass and Saran wrap to be dealt with.

Edit: The cage comes out, but it ain't easy. It's a tight fit because it has to be to give you the leg and head room you want. So don't go lightly into taking the cage out. It can get messy

edit edit: I didn't see your post about wanting the dash bar lowered until I had already welded it in place so I had to cut it out a move it. PITA! I put it as low as possible but still allow the latches to work.

[daniel_buck]

haha! Ok, carry on :-D

And watch the paint bro!!! ;-)