Roll bar/cage

RWK · Post by **RWK** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:15 am

New here, have a 73 Thing bought in 1990, considering putting a roll cage in it any suggestions or sources,I live in Michigan.
RK

Post by **david58** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:26 am

Welcome to the STF you might peek into the off road forum there are a couple guys doing Things in there. Here is a thread to one of them.
http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=124314

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 6:40 pm

Welcome to STF Things... Prior to roll cage what are you planning? K-mann

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:50 am

Overall... keep your eyes open. In our region of the USA... some cars come up for sale with roll cages...

Thingshop has some.. I'm sure on a PM Kubel may be able to cut down and ship you one.

RWK · Post by **RWK** » Sun Jun 07, 2009 7:53 am

Kubelman
I drive in summer months only,have sons that are driving and soon to drive, youngest likes offroading want to make safe. Brief history,bought from a guy that towed it behind motor home, and he purchased it the same way from a guy that did the same, also original new owner was bar fly and thing was yellow so he stood out, painted it black didnt help and sold it. Thing had 55k on it when I got in 90 probably 1/3-1/2 towed went to FL and TX couple times a year, It was complete less original exaust, tires, and on second rear window, driver seat is also a mess,was painted again to match 1 of the motor homes it was towed behind. I have added Bilstiens, m&s tires, GB adjuster feet,009,GB header w custom super trap (GB muffler finally rotted after 15 years)sure rock dents and off roading didnt help much.Removed working heater as not to damage it because fuel pump work erractically. Orig. top is now shot, rear window out and some small rips, also added Thing shop front sliders when they came out but dont use any more till I get a new top. Planning to redo brakes soon,(3rd set) reset rear torsion and add ureathane bushes in rear, stud drums. Putting a new beam on front with GB Avis adjusters new BJs I got in Mex 15 years ago, suspension stops and weld/reinforce beam, (Type 1 beam) original beam has some cancer on towers so want to remove.
Motor and trans are fine as can be expected with low miles and plan no changes other then maint. Always starts in the spring but clutch usually frozen to flyweel/PP along with R frt. drum other the that its a driver,will try to post pics, not very cpu savy.
RK

baja5 · Post by **baja5** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 9:33 pm

If you decide to go the Factory route with the cage, hit me up. I just picked up 2 things and both have the 4 point roll cages. I am parting them out as they are really rusty in the body area..The cages are in real nice shape. They are really more of a roll bar than a cage though.Anyway, let me know I can post up some pics.

RWK · Post by **RWK** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:25 pm

Baja, yes I would like to see some pics of thing roll bar send an e mail or post pics
RK

baja5 · Post by **baja5** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 7:03 pm

Here are the 2 that I have. I believe that 1 is OE VW and the 1 with the rear triangulation is from the Thing Shop.

The Thing shop one bolts together on the top tubes but ties into the body in more places. The other one is completely welded but only bolts to the floor pans.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:37 pm

Looks like there is one TS bolt together and an OE roll bar... Neither were built to SCORE regulations for roll protection. That is why TS calls their bolt together a "show bar" (legal protection). Herr Kubelmann has a stock shaped roll bar that was built to SCORE regulations.

baja5 · Post by **baja5** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:41 pm

Let's see that Score legal cage, sounds pretty cool. These roll bars definately would not pass Score regs these days as the rules have changed quite a bit. Heck. i doubt the cage in my baja would pass as strict as they have gotten. i figure that something is better than nothing though.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 8:49 pm

Don't get me wrong. The roll cage I mentioned in Herr K was up to their regs 20 years ago.. Today's rules are a whole new game.

baja5 · Post by **baja5** » Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:04 pm

Oh, I know, would still be cool to see.

RWK · Post by **RWK** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:13 am

Kubelman, are you saying you have a cage/rollbar for sale? not many fabricators here in Mi. not looking for race cage but some protection. Baja
dont know what it would cost to ship the rollbar cross country, I know of a freight co. that finds truckers coming back from trips empty and trys to get them loaded, would you deliver roll bar some where local to you so that it could be shipped? know it would be a PITA, maybe throw seats in middle of pallet with rollbar attached that would look cool, off road pallet!
RK