Year-specific Cages & Rollbars?

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-07-2013, 02:53 PM

I have a 73 coupe and also have this complete cage out of an 87 coupe. I'm currently selling it but if no takers, I'd like to put it in the 73. Because the car is also on the street, I don't want to install it as a cage but could see cutting it down to a rollbar.

Will a cage/rollbar designed for an 87 coupe fit in a 73 coupe?

Pics below, I think it was based on a DAS Sport 6 point cage but have to call to verify the serial number on it.

wildcat077 · wildcat077's Garage

Shaun,

That looks like a mish mash of custom parts added/mated to what seems like a DAS/OG Racing hybrid rollbar ...

Probably worth something for somebody who wants a six point cage,you'd be better off selling it and buying a regular unaltered DAS bar !

Cheers !
Phil

TimT · 04-07-2013, 03:06 PM

There are a lot of funky things going on with that cage. But a cage from a 73 will fit in an 87..

Id cut the everything off the main hoop (B-pillar hoop) and see how that fits, then build out from that...

What mfg is that cage? kind of looks like a Safety-Devices cage with some mods....

wildcat077 · wildcat077's Garage

It seems like all the additional bars are 1.500 inch in diameter as compared to the Das section,i was saying OG Racing because my OG six point cage is made from 1.500 diameter tubing and has certian similarities to Shaun's !

Cheers !
Phil

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-07-2013, 06:06 PM

Thanks Phil and Tim.

I'm going to check on who manufactured the base cage tomorrow.

Phil, good eye, I'll measure the tubing tomorrow. The B-pillar hoop and members of the "rollbar" while the forward tubing looks like DAS. I also have a folder of all receipts from this car so there may be something in there.

Here's a DAS basic cage. Their website does offer custom cages this may have been custom made for the car. Driver's door was hollow for the NASCAR bars, passenger was stock. It was also tied into the window B pillars, hence the small horizontal tubes cut off there.

I would like to sell it but think I'll do OK with it as a rollbar.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-08-2013, 06:06 AM

It's not a DAS cage, talked with them just now and they don't stamp serial numbers in. The fellow there was extremely helpful, if I ever need a roll bar or cage, I'm giving them my business.

He did say it was OK to cut the cage off and use it as a rollbar. If it doesn't sell in a few weeks, that's my plan. Main hoop is 1.75 and rest is 1.5.

Walt Fricke · 04-08-2013, 09:11 PM

Typically, if just a roll bar, main hoop is 1.75. If a cage, all can be 1.5 (+/- wall thickness). So this looks like a roll bar install, later modified to a full cage.

But it was all welded in, looks like. And then cut out, which suggests the tub was scrapped. Due to a wreck, or just old and too rusty? Might complicate installation anyway.

saxen · 04-08-2013, 09:13 PM

looks like a bunch of scrap metal-

sorry

lateapex911 · 04-08-2013, 10:03 PM

Thats a cage thats been built up over time. I'd bet thats an SCCA stamping, indicating the car had a logbook. IIRC, the region number is the first part, then a sequential number after that.

I'm not a fan of the design in the rear where there are multiple pickup points, or of the sleeved joints. If done properly, they are strong, but they aren't the prettiest things.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-09-2013, 06:38 PM

It started life as a Safety Devices cage according to the owner who had it installed and then modified.

Walt, it was welded in, the car was in an accident, hit in the front driver corner, doors shut fine, no sheet metal ever came in contact with the cage and it cut freely...no sproing or relieving of tension.

If it doesn't sell, I'll cut it down to a roll bar for me. Thanks everyone for your help.

lateapex911 · 04-09-2013, 08:10 PM

Shaun, the roll bar part of it looks fine. It would be nice to include the rear supports. The rear diagonal though, thats nothing to worry about saving, I don't think. It's attached oddly at the passenger side, and for some reason, they didn't attach it to the same pickup point behind the driver. Perhaps they were chasing some pad rules issue, but I really don't get the reasoning there.

What seat will you be using?? There are some considerations in how the seat is installed with a cage of course. (I'm sure you're up on all that)

Shaun @ Tru6 · 04-10-2013, 04:18 AM

Thanks Jake, I've got a few options and could even see going through the rear deck to the rails. They attached the diagonal to both the hoop and the top forward going member. I can see why they did it but will cut/grind it away.

Car is being used for street and DE. I have some older Momo seats that fit me like a glove so I'm using them and have a seat brace for me, need to get one for the passenger. Seats themselves are mounted to a sheet of 1/4 inch aluminum plate that is bolted to factory holes.

the whole thing right now is just a big chunk of steel, have a ton of other work to do just to get it on the ground.