Build cage to fit hard top or soft

[Qumanchew]

I'm getting ready to build a cage for my 66. If I build the cage to fit under the hard top will it definitely fit under a Rampage soft top, or do you think I need to test fit under both? The cage will be built very tight to the roof to give as much head room as possible. So has anyone had a problem where they built the cage under the hard top and then had clearance issues when they switch to a soft top?

 

[SteveL]

If it's a family cage you lose the ability to fold it down toward the back. Another thing if you're building a family cage watch the headroom on the rear bar if you run a backseat.

 

[Qumanchew]

Good info , thanks. It is going to be a family cage, I should have mentioned that.

 

[BanditBronco]

My cage was built using the hard top and it fits under my rampage no problem. It also will hinge all the way back. I could see how depending on the design the rear tube layout could interfere. Only way to be for sure for sure would be to test fit.

 

[Nothing Special]

I have a Bestop, not a Rampage. But this picture shows how my family cage affects folding down the top. I wrap the fabric around the rear hoop and can drop that all the way down to the tailgate. But the main hoop won't swing past the cage so it lays against the back of the cage with the bars that frame in the door opening angling down and forward.

It looks like the cage could've been made with the rear bar just a little further forward and the top would've been able to fold down completely. But that might've put the cage in a worse place for the shoulder harnesses or left the rear cross bar where people might whack their head on it. If i was doing it over I'd look into that, but I might end up with everything in the same place.

 

[BGBronco]

I have the crawlers edge family cage and had the WH family cage on my last bronco. No issues under my Rampage. There are enough good family cages out there to measure off of so you can get it right.

 

[Qumanchew]

Thanks for the feedback. My hardtop is pretty much junk, so I don't think it will be going back on any time in the near future. That being said I would still like the option.

 

[Apogee]

I was planning on building my cage high and tight to my hard top just so I can maintain that option for the future. If you kick the C-pillar forward a bit at the top like many of the current cages available (All-4-Fun/Bronco Bob, Protofab, Bailie Bilt, etc) it should work with the Bestop and Rampage tops from what I've seen and read here.

 

[Waldo]

Another thing to consider as you plan this project. If you decide at some point to put a half cab and lower divider on the vehicle, the usual vertical tubes behind the front seats will not work with the half cab. They have to be angled out towards the rear of the vehicle to accommodate the flairs on the back of the half cab.

 

[OsteoBronco]

With the WH family cage are you able to roll back the Rampage softtop all the way open?

 

[roades1]

Following. looking at a Rampage right now from Bronco Graveyard. Future plans on a family cage as well.

Does anyone have experience with the Extreme Rampage? How good does it shed the water at the doors?