Cage Through Dash....Again!

[greatguy57078]

I know this has been covered, but I have more questions. I know that some have gone thorugh the dash, and I really would like to try this myself. I have talked to a vendor, and they would have no problem bending the bars up to accomodate this.

All the pics I have seen all come through the top corner. I was wondering if anyone has just notched from the BOTTOM of the dash. I like the look of when it comes through the top, but the bottom would be alright although I am not sure it would have the same effect. Also, I would like to be able to retain my dash pad if possible.

Would it be in the way of something else, or am I overlooking something I haven't thought of? I would really like to take advantage of the 5% off at ExtremeCustomParts.com (moabmike).

 

[nvrstuk]

cage

I built my current cage back in '99 and the front hoop goes thru the bottom of my dash. I moved the glove box over about 1/2 way into the spkr grill so I could use my glove box (have a Tuffy box now). The bottom of the tubing is almost even with the bottom of the dash if you can visualize that. After the tubing intersects the dash it bends slightly to give max leg room and enters the floorpan directly above an imaginary line between the two body mounts under the floor. Might be hard to follow my description here but I also used a pc of 2" sq tube on each side under the existing body mt under the floor and put another body mount appr 6" closer to the frame on each side. This gives me 4 body mounts under the floor (2 per/side) with the HD pc of sq tubing under the floor pan and a 1/2" pc of flat bar above the floor (buried under carpet and pad-barely noticeable but super strong). This ties the front hoop to the frame. These are also tied into my rock skis.

My main hoop is also tied into my rock skis. Everything is tied to the frame with soft durometer poly bushings. Same with my rear hoop under my rear floor pan-it is bolted thru into a 2" pc of sq tube that spans the top of my frame rails.

Whew, I typed too much... more than you wanted...

 

[greatguy57078]

A picture is worth a thousand words...LOL!

 

[nvrstuk]

HAHA

pm me your email addy I'll take a couple pics

I'm out sanding on a custom 1/2 cab all day... smear mud on, sand mud off, x2,x 10 times! lol Don't think it'll ever be flat!

 

[dbevans2249]

I think one of the reasons to run the cage through the dash is so you can remove the dash with out removing the cage. There have been pics on here in the past of what you are thinking about a long time ago. I dont think it was done often though.

 

[Broncoman]

Thats my cage in the picture. The reason for going through the dash is for room. So by going through the top you make the most room.

 

[greatguy57078]

I just figured that going through the bottom would still allow the bars to be out of the way of the door opening. I think that they would be forward enough and snug to the kick panel. I was just wondering. I have pics of the bars thpugh the top but hadn't seen anyone bring them through the bottom which looks to be just as easy? %)

 

[deltarat]

For those that have done this, why is the tube away from the wall? I was thinking about putting the tube as close to the wall as possible,even if I had to remake the end of the dash and attach the dash to the tube instead of the wall.
I have never seen one that far out and I was wondering if there was a reason.

 

[greatguy57078]

Thats why I am asking. I have seen the cage through the dash, but always in the same position. I was wondering why just the top? Is there a specific reason for that location?

 

[deltarat]

I don't mind the hole at the top because you can pull the dash without removing the cage. If it were closer to the wall, I could trim a little off the dash pad and still use it.

 

[chriswitt]

Does anyone know of a photo showing the tube going thru the lower part of the dash? It also would seem that cutting the lower part of the dash will not weaken it quite as much. There area at the top is very close to critical mounting points. I just finished my dash layout moving knobs, and glove box. Moved the glove box over 3" towards the steering column to make room for the roll bar. I just got done with body work. Have not painted it yet. I am so ready to cut back into it. This really looks like a cool idea. I would really like the tube out of the way.

 

[SoCal68Bronco]

Thats my cage in the picture. The reason for going through the dash is for room. So by going through the top you make the most room.

Broncoman,
I plan on running my cage through the dash.
Is there anything you would do different?
I assume this is also yours...;D

 

[greatguy57078]

I would like to be able to use a dash pad, thats why I ask. Otherwise I will go through the top.

 

[HGM]

I would like to be able to use a dash pad, thats why I ask. Otherwise I will go through the top.

I'm planning to do the top of the dash like the pic's and still use the dash pad. Havent doen it yet, but vinal is pretty flexible.. I plan to cut the pad, leaving enough vinal to mould it to the cuts.. A heat gun, 3M trim adheasive and some glue should do the trick. Maybe some monofilament stitching if needed..

Maybe you could play with a pad a bit to see if it works for you..

 

[deltarat]

I'm planning to do the top of the dash like the pic's and still use the dash pad. Havent doen it yet, but vinal is pretty flexible.. I plan to cut the pad, leaving enough vinal to mould it to the cuts.. A heat gun, 3M trim adheasive and some glue should do the trick. Maybe some monofilament stitching if needed..

Maybe you could play with a pad a bit to see if it works for you..

That was the reason I wanted to move the pillars to the outside as far as possible. The pan wouldn't need as much trimming to use it.

 

[Bronchole]

I notched the bottom of the dash and welded in an oversize piece of tube. I just looked, I don't have any pictures. I've been asked several times, I guess it is time to take some to share.

BTW, I can remove my dash without moving the roll cage.

 

[greatguy57078]

I notched the bottom of the dash and welded in an oversize piece of tube. I just looked, I don't have any pictures. I've been asked several times, I guess it is time to take some to share.

BTW, I can remove my dash without moving the roll cage.

I am looking forward to seeing your pics! ;D

 

[Broncoman]

Broncoman,
I plan on running my cage through the dash.
Is there anything you would do different?
I assume this is also yours...;D

Thats mine also. If I redid it I would redo the dash to remove the vertical braces on the top corners of the dash. They get in the way where the tube passes through the dash.

 

[chriswitt]

what are you guys doing with your parking brake ?

 

[nvrstuk]

pics

I just realized while taking the pics that my dash REALLY looks bad... : )

Send me a pm and I'll send a pic or two. Mine only goes thru the bottom of the dash like I posted to a couple guys. The bottom of the front hoop is tied into the frame at the body mt under the floor.

I lose about 1" of clearance at the bottom of the floor for swinging my feet in.

I have a dash skin that I will be putting over my existing dash.