love the cage build. a cage is on the list for me when I get another xj after college (my 99 will be a mall crawler). my dad taught me to weld when I was 12(6th grade) and he's been doing it for 30 years and is pretty close with his steel supplier. so I can build it myself. But what do you do if you want your bumper off? would it hurt the structural integrity to bolt the cage to the bumpers? or is is better to just cut it off if I had to take the bumpers off? I've always wondered about this...

edit: or even weld on short "stubs" to the bumper than have a hitch style pin that can secure the cage when the tubing slides over the stubs?

 

You can use weld flanges close to the bumper. It wouldn't hurt the strength at all. That's what alot of guys do when they put a crossbrace over the engine so they can still remove the motor without hacking up their cage work

 

ohh yea forgot about the crossbrace. that's cool. when the time comes, I just want to make sure I do it right.

 

I personally do not use flanges. I weld my cages straight to the bumpers and sliders. I dont plan on ever taking my bumpers off. I can get the winch out, and the engine fits over the stinger with my cherry picker.

On an engine cage, I would use flanges.

 

hey man this looks sick. Just got my 1st jeep and want to build an exo for it so I can wheel with my kids in the back. where is your shop at? I'm north of Denver a bit.

 

My shop is in Wheat Ridge at 44th and Ward. Pretty much I-70 and Ward.

 

You mentioned a rear stinger tire carrier a while back. Did you ever make it? and when my jeep and I get back stateside, I might need to give you a call for an Exo/internal cage. I have very specific ways I want it to be built, I just don't have the tools or expertise to make it myself

 

Super cool! These exos look mean on XJs. Wish I could get one

 

I have built a couple now...never built one on this Jeep though.

Send me a PM if you need any info.

Thanks!

 

Way coool cage Saul

 

Thanks!

Who is Saul?....My name is Dustin

 

sorry

 

thanks my wife is mad at me now, i REALLY REALLY want one!
looks amazing man, just like the rest of your work, keep up the good work!

 

unreal,urban assault vehicle

 

This thread makes me really sad that I don't have a tube bender.