Couple of roll cage ??? w/breif history

[rattleon]

Well I've started working on my '70 again and I just figured I might as well go ahead and put the cage in it now even though it's overkill for the numbers it will probably run (thing weighs a ton or even 2) but I was going in that direction anyways and it will go quicker as time/money allow.
I was building a streetable, but drag strip safe truck and was going to back half it w/cage down the road, but from what I've read here the stock trailing arms can work very well with the right shocks/springs or coil overs so that's good for me $$$. I'll set up the 12 bolt that's in it with big moser stuff, and beef up all the s*#t that breaks when you hook!
I already painted the inside of cab and jambs, but other than that the glass is all out, box is off, dash is gutted out and I'll use the stock back half so now is better than later for the cage.
My question's are how well do the after market pre bent cage kits fit i.e. along the A pillars, main hoop etc. Who has a better product? S&W, auto weld chassis etc..also I was wondering if it's nhra legal to use 2x4 C channel for outriggers off the frame to tie in the main bars to frame? I know most use 2x4 box, but I didn't want to cut big access holes in floor to weld tops of the outriggers to the frame if possible.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jeff

[Captainfab]

Where in Idaho are you? If you're close, I could bend one up for you.

[rattleon]

Thanks for the offer captainfab. PM sent

[Hottrucks]

I'm in for that info to and I'm to far from Idaho

[Captainfab]

I'm afraid I can't compete with mass produced cage kits, especially when there is shipping involved. It appears that S&W has the best deal on a cage kit for the GM trucks from '67-'87. The only way it would be feaseable for me to bend up a cage is if there were more than one to do, or if there was a custom one needed that was something different than a mass produced cage kit.

[BigDan3131]

I've seen the pre-bent stuff installed and it isn't pretty, its not meant to be either. Having a shop install one is the best bet. They can tuck the tubes in close and they can mount the bars thru the back of the cab instead of thru the top of it.

To see what I mean go to www.kellyandsoncrazypainters.com and my friend Johns truck shows a rear view look of his cage.

[fast_dev]

i just bought a 10 point from auto weld in danville pa, very nice guy to deal with in person. i only live about 40 mins. from him so i just went and picked it up. although i cant tell you how it fits yet i can say i never heard anything good about the fit of s&w cages. i have no personal experience with them but a friend put one in a 78-87 pickup and it was terrible. hopefully since auto welds cage is era correct for our trucks it will be better.

[rattleon]

I looked into both Auto Weld and S&W and I went ahead a ordered the S&W 10 point due to the cost difference..... apples to apples about 23% including delivery costs.
I started install this past weekend and I checked for flatness of main hoop and halo as they could get tweaked during shipping as stated in paper work that came w/cage. Both twisted pretty bad....so creative adjustments required.
Just in case, I borrowed a tubing bender and I'm glad I did because both A pillar bars needed adjusting to fit/look right (IMO). Seat brace is cut to length (straight across) and notched so it's to short to bend at both ends to hug back of cab for seat room which I had planned to do. I probably could have ordered that longer, just didn't think of it.
With limited time to play out in the shop I'm not finished with the cage install, but I can say the main hoop fit is pretty good as is the halo (after adjustments) which I think are dictators for the rest of the project.

[djracer]

good luck keep us posted.