phantomjock
Well-known member
Getting ready to return home. Yippie - 2 days and I'm back on the Red Neck Riveria!
So, I have a heap of work to do to build my 78-Kit Car (200+ pieces disassembled a year ago).
And I'm thinking - as long as the body is off anyway - why not build that cage now. I bet it would be easier to weld the cage in first - then install the body. But that comes with its own consequences.
1. Does anybody have a set of diagrams/drawings/dimensions for cages that you have installed?
2. Even any pics or other insights from building your cage would be very helpful. Remember this is/was a 78 C3.
Overall, I am thinking a Primary bar behind the seats - Vertical not Sloped, with a "sharkbar" installed some supporting truss members aft to the chassis.
Also considering a "dash bar" with supports for the steering column. Maybe later tie the front and rear together with the swing out door bars I've seen. how about those front rails I see on some cars tieing the dash bar to the suspension forward? Effective stiffiners?
I note that Twin Turbo has done some interesting cage work on his cars - and also note he has the floor pans separate from the rest of the Birdcage. These appear to be riveted to the chassis - STIFF you bet. But for it also seems like that would make the reinstall of the body a bit challengne. So I guess it would be cut out the floor and then install the Birdcage. Maybe easier - but wobbly? Any thoughts? My concerns are :
Should the front and rear "wind" screens (glass) be removed to prevent breaking them? Or is it (the body) stiff enough (so to speak) to not worry about breaking the windshield and bubble back? I have the doors off to lighten the load.
Only another 48 hours or so!
So, I have a heap of work to do to build my 78-Kit Car (200+ pieces disassembled a year ago).
And I'm thinking - as long as the body is off anyway - why not build that cage now. I bet it would be easier to weld the cage in first - then install the body. But that comes with its own consequences.
1. Does anybody have a set of diagrams/drawings/dimensions for cages that you have installed?
2. Even any pics or other insights from building your cage would be very helpful. Remember this is/was a 78 C3.
Overall, I am thinking a Primary bar behind the seats - Vertical not Sloped, with a "sharkbar" installed some supporting truss members aft to the chassis.
Also considering a "dash bar" with supports for the steering column. Maybe later tie the front and rear together with the swing out door bars I've seen. how about those front rails I see on some cars tieing the dash bar to the suspension forward? Effective stiffiners?
I note that Twin Turbo has done some interesting cage work on his cars - and also note he has the floor pans separate from the rest of the Birdcage. These appear to be riveted to the chassis - STIFF you bet. But for it also seems like that would make the reinstall of the body a bit challengne. So I guess it would be cut out the floor and then install the Birdcage. Maybe easier - but wobbly? Any thoughts? My concerns are :
Should the front and rear "wind" screens (glass) be removed to prevent breaking them? Or is it (the body) stiff enough (so to speak) to not worry about breaking the windshield and bubble back? I have the doors off to lighten the load.
Only another 48 hours or so!
