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Roll Bar With Bestop

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by mickeykelley, Jul 4, 2016.

  1. Jul 4, 2016
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2015
    Messages:
    1,900
    I have a Bestop softtop with the soft doors on the 58 CJ5. I'm going to add a custom roll bar. Before I start meeting with places, I want to get a good grip on what I want and will work. Since it will eventually be left at our cabin in the mountains, we will be using it with the soft top, a bikini top and nothing. I plan to have the roll bar built to run backwards to also protect the rear seat passengers. So I was sitting in the back yesterday and trying to figure it out, it dawned on me that the I also need to make sure everything clears the 2 softtop bars and allow for them to fold back when not in use. So:

    First, I know the rear bar is used to set tension on the top. First of all, can the roll bar be made such that I don't need the softtop bars? Obviously, ANYTHING can be done, but at what praticle cost. It would be nice to just have one set that works for all. I know the softtop bars are mounted on the lip of the tub and the traditional roll bar is on the tub fender wells which would be inside that.

    Second, what size pipe should I be looking at to handle the job. I've some that is like maybe 3 inches, which seems overkill to me.

    And lastly, can anyone post so pics of the inside showing both softtop bars and roll bar so I can get a good image in my head.

    Thanks in advance.

    Mickey
     
  2. Jul 4, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    Any shop that does cages will be able to make it all fit. DOM tube is usually the choice for material.
     
  3. Jul 4, 2016
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    You and I think alike. I want to make a soft 1/2 top and was thinking of a way to use the roll bar as the back support. One issue is the bars that frame out the door opening. I would think if you had the door hardware it could be modified or fabricated to the attach to the rear hoop. The cage on my jeep fits inside the original top, however I don't have the new style protection for rear passengers. I don't have a rear seat so no protection needed. I say give it a go and post up your progress.
     
  4. Jul 5, 2016
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Dec 2, 2014
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    1,725
    Could you make the front part of the roll bar mimic the front top bar, then attach the tensioning bar to the roll bar. Then make the rear section of the roll bar fit inside the rear top tensioning bar, and attach to the rear roll bar with horizontal bars to the front roll bar? I am thinking about doing the same thing, just can't make up my mind if I want a roll bar, I like the look of no roll bar.
     
  5. Jul 5, 2016
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    3,869
    Or just look at a place like extreme custom fab on line for a bar kit the engineering is already done and they are reasonably priced.Extreme Custom Fabrication
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2016
  6. Apr 7, 2020
    billm006

    billm006 Member

    Honeye Falls, NY
    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2019
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    73
    Hi- Can you take a couple of pics of your Extreme Custom cage tie ins front and back so I can get a feel for the angles? Did you weld or bolt them to the frame? Did you put any rubber in the sandwich to allow for some flex? I've got a glass tub and I'm worried about cracks etc.
     
  7. Apr 8, 2020
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2015
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    1,900
    I ended up getting mine done but IF I were to do it again, I learned a few things. First, someone above mentioned trying to use the rear of the roll bar as A replacement for the rear bar for the soft-top. Can’t do that as you need a tensioning system. Second, the guy made the rear hump such that I can’t lower the 2 Bestop bars All the way down to the tub to strap down. So they end up getting taken off if I’m going with bikini or topless. If I’m planning to put the Bestop back on soon, I just have to strap the 2 bars to the back of the rear bar. But I can work around it. One irritating thing is the top flaps again the main top roll bar when driving since it was made to fit inside the Bestop. That’s is one big thing I’d do different. Only way I see to avoid that is adding pads or remaking the roll bar taller so the top has tension going over it. But at the cost of the roll bar, I’ll stick with what I have for now.
     
  8. Apr 9, 2020
    NCRenII

    NCRenII yellow fever

    Far Nor Cal
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2017
    Messages:
    431
    Maybe talk with a boat vinyl shop. I bet you could build the top, source a used set of doors and latch jamb and have the shop build the vinyl to fit. I'd suggest zip in removable curtains with a zip down rear hatch and a full surry top and a short bikini bra. Attach where needed to the bars using snaps.
     
    Jonbbrew likes this.
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