You're picture doesn't take into acount the rotational force that your design will allow on the bushing. I think that's what Recko meant. I see his point. However, it would take Jerry falling off a cliff, forwards or backwards, that is tall enough to allow the bronco to completly flip over and land directly on its lid, to produce the straight downward force that would render that tie-in design less useful. Chances are slim to none that that will happen. Also, as the bushing allows downward rotation, the cage foot would also have to arc inwards towards the frame. To do that it will have to go against the rigidity of the cage pipe, and apply a shear force to the sheet metal of the body to which it is attached. There's a lot of extra force there to overcome before the allowed rotation is going to be worse than the added benefit of the tie-in. So I agree with your take, Mike, that in 98% of real world circumstances, that tie-in will defiantely be better than no havng one at all.
Did you guys make any sketches or plans for that cage or was it "bend and go" fabrication? If you have sketches I'd LOVE to see them since I'll be making mine soon.