finally chopped it

[Crippled Eagle]

What is a good size for roll cage pipe material as well as wall thickness?
I have an 88 I bought that took a hit to the roof so the previous owner took the top off as well as cut down the doors. I have a parts provider with a decent top end and doors and the pick up Bronco 2 seems like a good project for the 88.

 

[compaqeo]

What is a good size for roll cage pipe material as well as wall thickness?
I have an 88 I bought that took a hit to the roof so the previous owner took the top off as well as cut down the doors. I have a parts provider with a decent top end and doors and the pick up Bronco 2 seems like a good project for the 88.

I used tube over pipe less weight. I went with 1.5" x 0.120 wall thickness. remember traingles

 

[lost86broncoii]

Awesome thread, totally convinced me. Next year I'm cutting the back off my "new" 92 exploder, or buying another BII to chop. Can't wait to see this BII finished. Not to jack the thread but any body got pics of chop top + roll cages on an explorer?

 

[B2Guy]

sorry havent had time to get on here in about a week guys. so i guess ill look into about 50 feet of tube. i was thinking 2" tube and maybe a .25 wall what do you think about that or is that over kill?

lost86 if you head on over to explorer forum.com and hit search im sure youll find plenty to help you out. good luck

 

[04sd]

sorry havent had time to get on here in about a week guys. so i guess ill look into about 50 feet of tube. i was thinking 2" tube and maybe a .25 wall what do you think about that or is that over kill?

lost86 if you head on over to explorer forum.com and hit search im sure youll find plenty to help you out. good luck

IMHO, 0.25" is overkill and just adds extra weight up high where you don't want it. 2" x 0.120" will work.

 

[B2Guy]

does 0.120" wall equal out to about 1/8th"?
i know i deffinetly want to go with a 2" tube. Im online right now looking up material for a soft top so I can hopefully get everything going on it soon. so far everything that i've read says that either denim or vinyl are the best materials to use... any opinions on either?

im uploading some pics of my back hatch I cut down and put in place for now to see if I want to just use that and make it swing down or use a ranger tailgate. Im going to get some sheet metal and cover the inside of the tailgate so it will be all smooth looking if i decide to stick with it.

 

[B2Guy]

heres some pics... not even close to done. still have alot more in store.

 

[The Mud Addict]

2in is overkill, 1.5in is plenty plus leaves you more head room. Also can tuck the 1.5 tighter to the body/rooflines

 

[B2Guy]

well ill check out some pics of cages made from 1.5" tube.

 

[TEK4x4]

i would do 1.5 thats what mine is and its just the right size i attached a pic of what it looked like when i first got it done last spring. i can take some more close up ones tonight when i go work on the manual swap if you want.

 

[B2Guy]

yea man, if you dont mind take some more photos of how its mounted and in the cab part. i need to get some more ideas.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

does 0.120" wall equal out to about 1/8th"?
i know i deffinetly want to go with a 2" tube. Im online right now looking up material for a soft top so I can hopefully get everything going on it soon. so far everything that i've read says that either denim or vinyl are the best materials to use... any opinions on either?

im uploading some pics of my back hatch I cut down and put in place for now to see if I want to just use that and make it swing down or use a ranger tailgate. Im going to get some sheet metal and cover the inside of the tailgate so it will be all smooth looking if i decide to stick with it.

1/8 = .125, so it is .005 thinner... for all practicality it is one and the same.

I wouldn't think denim would be all that great for a top... It is cotton and far from waterproof or even water resistant.

 

[sbsrlewis]

B2Guy can you tell me how the cut down hatch is secured? Maybe some pictures too? Thanks.


Steve

 

[B2Guy]

right now the hatch is just latched on like normal which makes it loose on the bottom so im going to have to figure something out to keep it tight...

 

[sbsrlewis]

I wonder if you could use the tailgate hinges from a ranger? Would hold the bottom in place n u still have the BII latch up top?? How are you planning to close the opening at the top where u cut the hatch? Any ideals?

Also can you take some other pictures of the lift gate? Maybe with it off? If possible could you also take some pictures of the cab where you chopped it. Maybe some of the area right behind the seats (part of cab going up, front of the window area) and across top of cab? Different views?


Thanks.
Steve