Roll cage options for my 110

[AndrewClarke]

I'm looking to put a roll cage on my 1986 110 wagon. The primary reason is to protect my family in the case of an accident. I'm leaning towards and external cage as I don't want it to compromise internal space or provide even more hard places inside the vehicle to hit in an accident. Plus, I'd like a better mounting point for a roof rack, roof-top tent, lights, etc.

I just read the interesting thread at http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/10854-Roll-cages-your-views, but as the last post was in 2009 I figured I should start a new thread.

I've been looking at Safety Devices racks as the traditional default. I've narrowed my choice down to these two:

L172: http://www.safetydevices.com/expedi...ge/Land+Rover+Defender+110+-1983-present/290/
L242: http://www.safetydevices.com/expedi...ge/Land+Rover+Defender+110+-1983-present/643/

L242 is exactly like L172, except that it doesn't have the internal hoop that L172 has. I'm not sure of the strength of one vs. the other, but I like L242 more. I can get a Safety Devices rack fairly easily, which makes it a more compelling option than some others.

I've also contacted PP Cages, so I'll see if they have anything to say to me.

I quite like the idea of getting a cage fabricated locally, if it's cost-competitive and structurally sound. I've contacted three semi-local companies who were recommended on the internets. However, only one has even bothered to get back to me, and as it turns out they are resellers for http://www.customcages.co.uk and I don't even know if they fabricate their own cages. Custom Cages do a cage for a 90, but their web site doesn't list any 110 cages. I'm a little disappointed that I'm not even getting a callback from the other two companies.

Also, ideally I'd like the cage either galvanized or possibly made from stainless. With the salted roads here, I want a roll cage that isn't going to rust out in a couple years.

After all that, I'm looking for good roll cage options that are practical here in southern Ontario, Canada. Am I looking at the right Safety Devices cage? Are they still any good? Have I missed any other good options?

Thanks,
- Andrew.

 

[jjstahl3]

I'm looking for a cage also for my 110 let me know which way you go as I was looking at sd cages online but shipping was a little much to get it here to the states

 

[AndrewClarke]

Well, I decided to call one of the local companies back. When I say "local", they're still almost 2.5 hours away. I emailed them 6 days ago, and suspiciously while I was on the phone with them, a response email came back from them. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on the timing of that. Anyway, it's http://www.cscracing.com and his ballpark was that a cage would likely cost somewhere between $2-3k. I'd add galvanizing and powder coating onto that.

That sounds like a reasonable estimate, and given their experience in building roll cages for a wide variety of other vehicles and (from what I've read) their good reputation, I expect they'll be able to do a good job.

This post is more of an update than a "case closed", so if people have any good points to make or opinions, I'd still like to hear them!

- Andrew.

 

[AndrewClarke]

I'm looking for a cage also for my 110 let me know which way you go as I was looking at sd cages online but shipping was a little much to get it here to the states

http://www.lucky8llc.com/Search.aspx?Manu=Safety Devices

That's convenient for me as they're just over the border. For you, you're still talking shipping most of the way across the US, but their prices seem reasonable.

- Andrew.

 

[rijosho]

Jay, wasn't West Coast Rover able to get them as well? I could be wrong of course.

 

[Landroverholic]

Hi Andrew

http://www.ppcages.com/?p=705

Would highly recommend PP cages in the UK www.ppcages.co.uk

They custom built the cage for me in the link after shipping my vehicle over from Australia.

They have multiple cages in kit form for self assembly (weld/bolt) on the shelf. I am sure they would be more than happy to organise shipping for you.

Best wishes

Callum

 

[Steve UK]

Hello,

I have a ppcages but it is on my 90, internal rear and external front/sides. I think it's great, bolt together CDS tube and thick powder coating. I don't think you need galvanise, would stainless be too weak? I am no metallurgist just a guess. I have my roof tent mounted to the cage like you want, have a look in my gallery plenty of pictures.

Steve

 

[AndrewClarke]

I was impressed with how quickly PP got back to me with details, and how comprehensive their information was that they sent me. Their cage without the internal roll bar will be about $2000 before shipping and installation. They are zinc primed and powder coated. PP cages seems like a great option if I'm going to buy a ready-made cage.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of getting a custom-made cage done locally. Here are some reasons:

1. I'm supporting local industry.
2. I have a Safari Snorkel and I'm not yet sure if that is compatible with a PP cage, although a quick email to them should answer that.
3. I can try out some interesting ideas like maybe putting a structurally integrated partial roof rack into the roll cage, with removable sides for when I need them.
4. I can get it galvanized.

To answer your questions about galvanizing and stainless, Steve, the salt on the roads here is just murder for steel. I know they salt the roads in the UK too, but I don't know if they basically salt almost every road, several times a week, like they do here. It's crazy. Can't we all just drive a little slower when the weather is fun? To give you an idea, I had a brush guard, and under the plastic coating it had completely rusted through in one place. I've burned the plastic coating off, had it fixed, and will get it hot-dipped galvanized when I do my replacement bulkhead and maybe new cage some time this summer.

Stainless is a great idea, and as far as I know you can get alloys that are strong enough to do a cage with. However, it's a LOT more expensive, and a some fabricators don't work with stainless. For example, the only local cage fabricator I've managed to talk to doesn't do stainless so if I go with them it isn't even an option. PP cages said they could do stainless but it would "more than double" the price. PP cages says they use a zinc primer under the powder coating and haven't had any complaints about rust. This might be adequate, but looking at the number of scratches on my roof from putting on racks, tents, etc., I know my roll cage would end up looking the same way and it would be nice to know that under the paint there's a good anti-rust protection layer.

 

[Steve UK]

Hi Andrew,

Sadly the Safari Snorkel does not fit easily with any cage, there are adaptors but they are not good looking. I ended up using a Southdown snorkel with good results, but had to cut a huge hole in my truck....

I hear you on the corrosion now, we have the same battle here but you have it much worse.

Finally totally agree with supporting local industry, if you want some specific pictures just ask. The ppcages runs really tight to the truck which I like.

Steve

 

[Gren_T]

Hi Andrew, take a look at whitbread: http://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_cage_land_rover_110_3 door_hard_top_full_external.php
I've seen their work, and they have a good reputation.

just to add I've no association with this company or any of it's employees.

regards
Gren

 

[AndrewClarke]

Hi Andrew, take a look at whitbread: http://www.whitbread-offroad.co.uk/roll_cage_land_rover_110_3 door_hard_top_full_external.php
I've seen their work, and they have a good reputation.

just to add I've no association with this company or any of it's employees.

regards
Gren

Yeah, I've looked at them too. They sell a weld-on kit which seems pretty cool. But, when I price it up, with freight, and paying a welder to fit it, I think I'm better getting a local company to do it end to end for me.

Thanks,
- Andrew.

 

[AndrewClarke]

Hi Andrew,

Sadly the Safari Snorkel does not fit easily with any cage, there are adaptors but they are not good looking. I ended up using a Southdown snorkel with good results, but had to cut a huge hole in my truck....

I hear you on the corrosion now, we have the same battle here but you have it much worse.

Finally totally agree with supporting local industry, if you want some specific pictures just ask. The ppcages runs really tight to the truck which I like.

Steve

Protection & Performance do sell a Safari Snorkel adapter. They also sell their own snorkel & precleaner for £155. If I go with them I'll probably just do that, and sell my Safari snorkel.

 

[Landroverholic]

Hi Andrew

PPcages manufactured a custom snorkel for me also to fit in with my cage.

If you need some photos let me know.

Good luck with it all especially if you go stainless. I'd love to see the results - but not the bill!!

Callum

 

[AndrewClarke]

Well, in the end I decided to go with a local fabricator ... and with Whitbread. I found a sort-of-local guy who seems like a very skilled fabricator, is a Land Rover owner, and who has built lots of roll cages. After talking with him, he independently suggested I look into Whitbread. I know a guy who's shipping over two Defenders on Friday from the UK, so this morning I finalized my order with Whitbread and the cage is going inside one of the Defenders.

The fabricator felt that it would likely save me a bit of money over getting it custom made by him. I think in the end it will save me somewhere in the neighbourhood of -$100 to +$450.

I ordered the basic cage from Whitbread, with a few upgrades:

- Extra roof cross
- Light bar
- Smaller tubes above the two longitudinal top roll cage tubes, which will serve as low-profile sides for a simple roof rack.

I'm going to get the cage welded up, then likely galvanized and powder coated. I'll try to remember to post photos of the process.

- Andrew.

 

[StphNieuw]

If you don't mind me asking what was the approximate total?