JT Full Exo Cage - Possible Issue Truck Flex?

[thedigitalmc]

So I have a 2020 Jeep gladiator, and I will be adding a Full EXO cage to the Jeep - surrounding the cab and bed. I am going to be getting steel rock rails (custom steel square bars) that line the side of the jeep as well and are welded DIRECTLY to the frame. Same with a steel bumper, welded to the frame. Now this roll cage will essentially tie the cab and the bed together due to the nature of how this is coming together. I know there is intentional flex between the cab and bed natively to allow for flex when hauling ect. If I complete this cage, is there going to be structural problems with the Jeep?

My fabricator has done simiar things to trucks in the past without issue. I'm wondering if there is something I should look out for, or maybe include some flexible joints somewhere? 4 different jeep technitians have reviewed this project, 3 were willing to do it, no one raised any concerns. I've been doing my due dilligence but frankly even with 1000 hours would probolby miss something that someone working in a shop all day has seen before.

*** To clarify, I do not haul with this, beyond a riding mower and some gear for my sons landscape business. I DO Offroad quite a bit, and rock crawl and overland. I have a 2.5" Clayton liftt + Adjustable control arms with Falcon SP2 3.3 adjustable shocks and locking diffs (if any of that matters).

The Jeep will basically look like this (thank you photoshop):

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[jac04]

Now this roll cage will essentially tie the cab and the bed together due to the nature of how this is coming together.

If the cage is mounted to the frame, then how does the cage tie the cab and bed together?

 

[Sandman 4x4]

You are going to be able to haul some long lumber! But with all that added steel weight? If you’re not running the Max Tow, your payload won’t allow any passengers?

 

[Free2roam]

Solid steel? That's some pretty heavy metal. Every exocage I've seen is usually made from 1.75-2.0 inch .120 wall dom. Mandrel bent.

 

[Jaxmax]

Why the solid steel , that would be a lot of weight, and you called it a roll cage, it’s an exoskeleton for branches and scratch guard right? The flex in the frame will be less with the solid steel rock steps, and besides that it looks like the only two tie points is the top bar between cab and bed, the frame flexing the most would be from the end of rock step to the rear bumper, I would think that’s where your concerns would be at these two locations…..Jack

 

[TomH]

That design also needs a lot more triangulation to function correctly as shown. If the jeep is rolled that cage is going to fold.

There are too many long spans without gussets. In the end it will stiffen the frame but should not affect the body.

 

[thedigitalmc]

Solid steel? That's some pretty heavy metal. Every exocage I've seen is usually made from 1.75-2.0 inch .120 wall dom. Mandrel bent.

Sorry that was my stupidity - yes they are hollow. I meant this I just added "solid" on accident.

If the cage is mounted to the frame, then how does the cage tie the cab and bed together?

Well the rock rails are mounted to the frame, and the bumper is mounted to the frame, so I assumed the roll cage tying them together would limit the flex I would think.

You are going to be able to haul some long lumber! But with all that added steel weight? If you’re not running the Max Tow, your payload won’t allow any passengers?

Yeah it may be getting close, but not sure what the limiting factor of the Sport S would be here, Same Axels, I've upgraded suspension, will put cromoly axel shafts in the rear. I will need to upgrade breaks for sure. But not sure where the max-tow really changes anything. (Will be re-geared ect.)

 

[thedigitalmc]

, it’s an exoskeleton for branches and scratch guard right?

That design also needs a lot more triangulation to function correctly as shown. If the jeep is rolled that cage is going to fold.

There are too many long spans without gussets. In the end it will stiffen the frame but should not affect the body.

Thank you so much, and you are both right!

To clarify, this is a "laymens" photoshop. The final will have triangulation, proper supports ect. This was me (non-jeep tech) showing what I was looking for to my technitian who went over all the required supports to make it work as a true roll cage.

 

[thedigitalmc]

There are too many long spans without gussets. In the end it will stiffen the frame but should not affect the body.

So @TomH - I think that is where I was confused. The body will still have the requred "flex" even if the frame is made more ridgid.

 

[TomH]

So @TomH - I think that is where I was confused. The body will still have the requred "flex" even if the frame is made more ridgid.

I would think the body will flex less as the frame is more rigid. But the body mounts give a little. It shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Freems]

I’m in the brush a lot, Forrest logging roads, my anxieties about the vertical tubing grabbing something vs. something stuff can slide off and not get caught up in would be a design to look at.

 

[Freems]

Taking a little closer look at your drawing a couple of things to look at:
rough count on 1.75” dom material your way north of 300 lbs of steel in the tubing alone, not counting gusseting. Looks like 65% of your cage weight is above your CG, thats bad.
maybe rethink your strategy of what Needs to be protected. Then go crazy with the mandrel bender protecting that area…

 

[kb5zcr]

I like it, be sure and sen pics when done.

Not a lot different than what these guys did (see pics in first post)

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/this-gladiator-fits-10-passengers.84805/

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