Thread: Defender Exterior Protecton/Roll Cage

Originally Posted by dullbird

i sort of agree but i sort of dont.......yes really a cage is better when it is welded to the chassi because it is stronger, if you cant do that or cant afford that then i dont see why an internal hoop is a waste of time as the defender roofs are so week on a roll over that any protection is better than none as far as i'm concerned....

In the event of a rollover a steel hoop just bolted to the aluminium body would cut though it like a knife through butter pushing down and probably taking your head with it. The protection bar effectively becomes a flying (read decapetating) object. Chassis mounted is the only safe way to go. If your in doubt call up the RTA tech section or Cams and ask them, but Tombraider is right.

Originally Posted by dobbo

In the event of a rollover a steel hoop just bolted to the aluminium body would cut though it like a knife through butter pushing down and probably taking your head with it. The protection bar effectively becomes a flying (read decapetating) object. Chassis mounted is the only safe way to go. If your in doubt call up the RTA tech section or Cams and ask them, but Tombraider is right.

ok i was in the understading that when you bolt a hoop in you have to reinforce with metal underneith anyway as aluminium is no way near strong enough this then spreads the load and then you do have the added option of the angled metal coming off the hoop towards the back of the car which again has to be reinforced to give added strength

but ok i stand corrected, i'll shut my mouth

Originally Posted by dullbird

ok i was in the understading that when you bolt a hoop in you have to reinforce with metal underneith anyway as aluminium is no way near strong enough this then spreads the load and then you do have the added option of the angled metal coming off the hoop towards the back of the car which again has to be reinforced to give added strength

but ok i stand corrected, i'll shut my mouth

You just tell it like it is

So if you go to the hassle of plating a hoop at the base, then reinforcing the Aluminium underneath the car with steel spreaders then having diagonals running the length of the car, plating and reinforcing them, to get it all looking possie and that, with the aluminium sandwiched inbetween two steel plates, why not get it done properly in the first place and chassis mount the underneath spreader bars on the outriggers? Making the car legal and safe.

Don't know where all this expert advice is going, but the idea of a 'Safety Devices' type roll cage appeals to me, but obviously, it must attach, through the body, to the chassis. If fastened in this way, think it will be a stronger and offer more protection than we currently have!.

As you lot know our 90 is a soft top . It has a protection Bar in the Back. so called protection bar and NOT roll bar as it is only fitted to the ali rear tub. On the sides of the rear bulkhead and wheel arches.
This is not designed as a roll bar , and its only real use is to hold the seat belts. Apart from that it is not alot of use. Mind you i would rahter had somthing rather than nothing
Did worry me a bit wiehter they would kick up about that when it came in Aus. Because it is a soft top wit no roll bar what so ever.
Here are pics of the bar