choosing roll cages

[Wally]

Thanks, it will probably be a Heigo 'bolt-in' cage then, which fit very nice/tight from what I've seen.

[owdlvr]

Originally Posted by Wally

Thanks, it will probably be a Heigo 'bolt-in' cage then, which fit very nice/tight from what I've seen.

From what I can understand on the site, they look like a good design. Interesting to see they offer aluminum cages...show only I hope!

-Dave

[oasis]

That's a lot to chew on. I can now see Humble's pic now that I am home -- my work computer disallows picture hosting sites including the one I use.

First, about Humble's pic ... the cage I saw once was not quite as robust as Humble's but I thought it might give more real protection than the loop that goes around the seat backs and extends back with four points of connection to the chassis. It had a single sidebar running diagonally rather than the X on both sides. It also did not have the X behind the driver and passenger.

The side X's might be a bit much for an old fart like me who has had both knees scoped and gets regular cortizone shots throughout the year.

As for padding, I definitely assumed I would get padding. Whatever proper padding is, that would be fine.

BTW, I understand being safe would mean I would keep the bug parked and I would drive my Eos all of the time. I never felt totally unsafe in my 1302, but I wasn't foolish in thinking I was safe. I actually thought the improvements I made with its engine, brakes, suspension, etc. made me have more fun but also more safe. I was thinking a rollcage would take it further -- especially if I took my next project further than the 1302.

The cage I saw seem to run just inside the roofline quite neatly, and didn't seem to intrude in the footwell area even though it bolted there as well. (I assume bolted; it could have been welded. I wasn't checking on details at the time.)

Attaching the cage to the suspension sounds very good but it also sounds very involved. The set-up my 1302 had seemed to have excellent tortional stiffness to me, so I'm not sure I need that for my application.

I guess I need to check some sites specifically. The link above showed a couple. I'm not familiar with Heigo but I will search that.

Will proper padding and the cage I described be worthwhile, or just a nice looking trouble waiting to happen in a smaller accident with my head dangling around without a helmet? How do I know what proper padding is? The only padding I ever really saw was for a Thing (Type 181), and evena novice like me could tell it was pretty stinking minimal.

Thanks, everyone.

[evilC]

The basic cage you describe is probably a 6 point fitting that is strong enough for internationally homologated classic rally cars. The quality of fit is down to the manufacturer/supplier. As regards head contact the roll cage is no harder than the door frame and the chances of it coming to meet your head in an accident is far less than with the plain door frame.
I have rolled a road rally car with a half cage (rear hoop and rear braces only). The cage actually saved us with no injuries save for the navigator that was nicked once with flying glass when the side window caved in. However, the windscreen and front door frame crushed back that convinced me the value of the front cage. Door bars are useful but a pain in the a**e in normal use.
Roll cage rubber is a must:- http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/produc...18&tlgrp=MS005 as an example. Previous to using the FIA nominated spec we used Armorflex pipe lagging. Its generally used in refridge pipework is a min 1/2" thick, medium density and carries a fire proof (self extinguishing) certification. I'm sure you could find something similar from your air-con suppliers.

Clive

[Wally]

This is the Heigo cage I would like to install. The design with the door bars that you can remove are just what I am after. And I like it that I do not need to leave my car with some welding dude in a distant garage.

http://www.heigo.de/ASP/index.asp?IX...CAT=Volkswagen

[Humble]

For a cage in a street car there's really only 2 places to worry about, the upper door frame and main hoop behind driver and passenger. With my cage the down bars next to the upper door frame is pretty close to the driver and passenger, as is the main hoop. I have hit my head on the bar just getting in and out of the car and knocked it leanering into a corner. Padding is a must but the closer the cage gets to the body the less you have to worry about it.

[oasis]

Thanks for the responses, guys. That is plenty for me to go on for now.

The Heigo site gave me a message that started out by saying, "Session-Objekte konnten nicht gelesen werden." Then, it listed different versions of Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc. and (without yet translating it) I think it told me steps I needed to view the site. I will translate it further later when I have the time.

Thanks again.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by oasis

The Heigo site gave me a message that started out by saying, "Session-Objekte konnten nicht gelesen werden." Then, it listed different versions of Internet Explorer, Netscape, etc. and (without yet translating it) I think it told me steps I needed to view the site. I will translate it further later when I have the time.

Thanks again.

Actually, when I tried my own link, it did just the same...
I copied the image for you. There are more detailed pics of the cage, bit it was too much trouble to copy them all. If you really like, you can navigate through their menu and find the 'käfige' (cages) for volkswagen bug models (lot of bug models specified to my surprise!).

[vugbug71]

Interesting post, just what i was looking for. I have a 71 super that i was thinking of putting a roll bar in, but i'm trying to decide if i actually need it or if its more for looks. I already have one similar to this one


the car is not going to be raced and not a daily either, mainly i'm going to thrash it on winding backroads.

If i end up using it what could i do to help reinforce it and strengthen the car as well