Re: TopFrame--FoodForDiscussion

[Richard Welty <rwelty@domain.elided>]

At 01:28 PM 10/19/98 -0500, Kevin Curry wrote:
>If you're talking about a roll cage, I have had a tough time trying to
>find anyplace that would do more than 1-3/4 and a decent wall size
>(1/8"). I want to put in a six point cage that extend to the rear of the
>bed.

i would expect 1.75" with a 0.095 wall thickness, using DOM tubing, to
offer excellent protection, actually. DOM in 0.095 is stronger than ERW
tubing in 0.120 wall thickness, and is easier to work with as it doesn't
have the nasty welded seam of ERW, with all the bending requirements that
flow from the seam.

the SCCA requires 1.75" x 0.095" wall DOM cages in the american sedan
class, where drivers are running 3800lb sedans at speeds well in excess of
130mph. we have a good safety record there. i think that a cage that can
take a major shunt under these circumstances should take "softer" rollovers
while offroading pretty well. of more concern is the method and location of
the attachments of the cage to the vehicle.

cheers,
  richard (in another life, Divisional Administrator of Tech Inspection,
                                   Northeast Divsion SCCA)