Full roll cage in a 72 blazer?

[Luba]

I want to put a full roll cage in a 72, what is the best way to do it? Should I wait before all the bodywork is done, or do it first? My blazer is in real good shape, but I would like to do a frame off resto-eventually. I want to put 1 ton axles and change color and add full cage tied to frame and mounted to seats. I have heard when the top is removed stuff moves? Any one have any good pics of cages like that?

[butzkeg]

I've got a 72 and my cousin a 70 we both have cages in. The 70 is a full cage, mine has a full rear cage (nothing in front of the front seats). Ours were both put in with the truck fully assembled (well, other than the top of course). Maybe one of these days I'll mecome a memeber so I can post pics. Not sure if this helps or not.

[butzkeg]

Ok, maybe I can post attachments. Mine is the blue 72.

[bouncytruck]

Nice pair of Blazers!

You're cage looks like a Smittybilt roll bar with a rear section added. Is it tied into the frame or just the body?

[orange72blazer]

Originally Posted by butzkeg

I've got a 72 and my cousin a 70 we both have cages in. The 70 is a full cage, mine has a full rear cage (nothing in front of the front seats).

Cool pictures. Do you have any more pictures of your roll cage setup? I have the factory roll bar, but need to add something behind the rear seat for Silver Lake. What part of Michigan are you from?

[butzkeg]

Both roll-cages are just to the body. Not sure what brand either are. The section rigth behind the front seats on mine, the PO had and never installed. Another cousin and I custom built the rest (well, mostly him, but I had fun too). I'll try to get some more pics of it soon.

On the orange blazer, that's mostly custom bulit too. Part of it came from another friend, and then was added onto. The design of each one is very different.

We are both from Howell, MI. About dead center between Lansing and Detroit. My cousin and I grew up together, now live a few more houses apart, but are back sharing similar interests with families and K5's.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by Luba

I want to put a full roll cage in a 72

2 The Board From W. TN

[Luba]

Nice trucks- what size lift and tires are on those?

[Medicanman71]

Nice Pics!

[butzkeg]

I'll try to do those pics tonight, as the soft-top should be cooperative in the 60 degree weather. It's warm enough for a top-down jaunt up-town.

The blue 72 has 6-inch leaf and 2-inch body lift. Rolling on 38x15.5x15's. Will probably go to a 36 or 37 next year.

The hemi-orange 70 has a 6 inch leaf, rolling on 35x14.5x15's.

[Huck]

There is a company in Pa that manufacturers full roll cages for 69-72 Blazers that you need to weld together. The pipe is smaller in size but thick enough for most applications and roll overs. They specialize in race car roll cage and frame building.

[smokekiki]

Originally Posted by Huck

There is a company in Pa that manufacturers full roll cages for 69-72 Blazers that you need to weld together. The pipe is smaller in size but thick enough for most applications and roll overs. They specialize in race car roll cage and frame building.

S&W Race cars,Spring City pa.I have one in my blazer.Mine is a 6point.

[detroit72k5]

Originally Posted by smokekiki

S&W Race cars,Spring City pa.I have one in my blazer.Mine is a 6point.

Smokekiki, do you have a picture or two of your S&W cage?

Butz, welcome to the board! I'm over in Novi, just waiting for the weather to warm up a bit more and my truck will be rolling out of the garage with the top down.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

full cage tied to frame and mounted to seats.

Watch the rear seat head room when placing the rear seat.

[Luba]

Vtblazer-Nice,did you tie into the windshield frame or any other part of the body at all? That is exactly what I am looking for? How do you like the line-x interior? Looking at that too.

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by Luba

Vtblazer-Nice,did you tie into the windshield frame or any other part of the body at all? That is exactly what I am looking for? How do you like the line-x interior? Looking at that too.

Luba, welcome to the board...enjoy the ride. (nice pics)

Cage is tied into the frame via rubber bushings w/pads bolted together sandwiching the body.
Rock sliders welded directly to the frame.
Not tied into the windshield frame. (the two move very differently)
Rubber coating works pretty well, just make sure your prep work is good.

[Luba]

Vtblazer-so if you had to do it again (roll cage) would you change anything or stick with your current set-up? I have heard some guys tying into the windshield frame and body (sides) to stiffen up when top is off. I am going to do a frameoff a 72 cst 4x4 -soda blast body, repair & paint, full roll cage, dana 60, 14 bolt ff 4.56 and detroits,600hp smallblock, race seats with 5-point belts and keep it street legal. This is going to be a slow and $$$ process!

[Medicanman71]

I'd be afraid of snapping the windshield frame if it was tied in and not able to flex.

Vtblazer that last shot is pretty good showing how the sliders and cage connect....

[butzkeg]

Ok, here's a few more pics. Mine isn't tied in quite as nicely as VTBlazer, but it works for going to the dunes.

VT, that is a nice setup for sure.

[ecameron87]

Here is a link to mine.
http://www.wheelingarizona.com/forum...pic.php?t=6377
We did this back in November. We built it and tacked it with the top still on, then pulled the top off and finish welded it. Now there is a lot less movement with the top off. I still have gussets to add (triangulation) and I am going to tie the rear seat to the cage as well. It is welded directly to the top of the frame in four spots under the front seats. I am also going to tie the front legs and the back legs to the frame. So far I love it. I thought that I was going to get some vibration and increased noise from wending straight to the frame instead of using bushings, but that is not the case. It works great.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice looking cage set-up eric..

[IGOR]

Have any of you guys that have done cages kept your factory AC vent locations - I'm worried about the two vertical bars that form the very front hoop.

I guess I could do something like butzkeg did...

Anyone ever run the tube down through the dash to the floor? - Is there even enough room?