Topic: Mustang Rollcage Question

Is it possible to install my roll cage rear spreader plates onto the rear seat cross member rather than behind the cross member on the floor pan?


I was told by one of the Tech Inspectors (at Barber Motorsports) that this was acceptable.  I just wanted to confirm before the rollcage is professionally installed.
(FYI, I have a picture to illustrate my question, but don't know how to add pictures to this post.)

Thank you!

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Not sure without a pic if the rear seat crossmember is part of the floor pan, but it's elevated then the cage will fail. Check the pics in the tech FAQ:

http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewtopic.php?id=3334

You want your backstays to be:
- damn near 45*
- straight, unbent or kinked
- as wide as possible
- land on something structural like shock towers, frame mounts, or lotsa non-rusty floor with generous spreader plates

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Here's a post on how to post pics:

http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewtopic.php?id=11

People love pics...

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Not quite sure I understand your question. Is it something like this?
http://i1142.photobucket.com/albums/n613/cabinboy63/Jetta/Lemons%20Jetta/Vision.jpg

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Are you talking about the spreader plates for the main hoop or the back stays?

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

I'll have my son post a couple pics latter, pics will make this a easy question to answer. And yes this is regarding placement of the spreader plates for the main hoop. This is a 1995 mustang BTW
Thanks for the replies

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

I don't think there are any rule against what you are wanting to do.  As a matter of fact, the last car we built (;89 Prelude) was done just that way with the rear hoop resting on the rear seat pan, not the foot well below.  Here's a pic of that:


http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u9/VKZ24/P1020179.jpg

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Thanks for the pic. Mine is a little different in that it it doesn't have the flat shelf in your pic. Mine rises up from the floor plan like yours and then has a 3" wide flat and then drops back down to the floor pan. This flat runs side to side and is definitely a structural member of the car. We would like to attach the spreader plate on top of of this cross member. Pics of this latter.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

You will need to makes sure all the other measurments stay in spec. Like if its the main hoop and you are moving it back, you need to be sure the seat isn't too far from it.  If it is moare than 6 inches you need to add a support for the seat, and you also need to be sure there harness isn't too long, because if it goes to long it can stretch too much on impact.  you would also have to see how steep the rear stays become, you want near 45 degree angle if the hoop is moved back to far they may become too steep.

No idea if those things could become problems without see what you are meaning to do and even then you might have to mock everything up.

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

I caged a '96 for one of our cars.  We went to the wheelwells. 

You can see where it terminates here:
https://imgur.com/a/gUd9u

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Here are the images...

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/teamshelley/IMG_20161218_153904_zpsi8spie7v.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/teamshelley/IMG_20161218_153850_zpsporlypmh.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/teamshelley/IMG_20161218_153810_zpst4dkliea.jpg

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

If I were doing it, I would do one of the following depending on what would give you the best angle for the rear stays while keeping the rear hoop at the desired distance behind the driver's seat:

1. Fold a spreader plate over the cross member, making sure that the flat part on top is large enough for the hoop tubing.   A gas torch with a rosebud tip is your friend when making the plate conform to the cross member.   To keep the tech inspectors happy, make the spreader plate much larger than the minimum size and well welded to the cross member.

2. Build a plinth (box) behind the cross member and weld the tubing to the top of it.   Again, large and heavy to keep tech happy.

3. Same as #2, but in front of the cross member.

In both #2 and #3, having the top of the box extend over the top of the cross member would make me smile.

It all comes down to which one gives you the best combination of rear stay angle and distance behind the driver's seat.

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

I think that CowDriver has it correct. If you can make a "U" shaped spreader plate that fits over that "hump" your should be good. The first pic with the red interior is a FOX chassis Notchback Mustang. The latter pics are of a SN95. That tall hump is why they have stiffer bodies.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

jimbbski wrote:

I think that CowDriver has it correct. If you can make a "U" shaped spreader plate that fits over that "hump" your should be good. The first pic with the red interior is a FOX chassis Notchback Mustang. The latter pics are of a SN95. That tall hump is why they have stiffer bodies.

Wait, what?  The car with the red interior is/was mine, and was a 1989 Honda Prelude.

The plinth idea is the best option IMO.  It will also make it easier to install.

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

VKZ24 wrote:
jimbbski wrote:

I think that CowDriver has it correct. If you can make a "U" shaped spreader plate that fits over that "hump" your should be good. The first pic with the red interior is a FOX chassis Notchback Mustang. The latter pics are of a SN95. That tall hump is why they have stiffer bodies.

Wait, what?  The car with the red interior is/was mine, and was a 1989 Honda Prelude.

The plinth idea is the best option IMO.  It will also make it easier to install.


Sorry but in the pic it looked like the  back seat area of a Mustang. Upon further review I can see I was wrong. But the Fox  back seat floor area does look similar.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Thanks for all the input, the fabricator started cutting tube today!

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

OK now another question. Does the main hoop have to be 90 degrees off the floor pan, or can it match a slight angle of the door pillar. After looking at lots of pics of Lemons cages on the web it looks like this is acceptable, would like to make sure!

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Are you talking about it bending back in at the bottom or an angle other than 90 at the top?  The latter is always OK if not terrible.  The former SHOULD be OK but I have see two examples (also extreme) where it was not.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Im saying an angle other than 90 off the spreader plate, definitely not bending the tube. A few degrees of angle.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Also as a reference I'm talking about a side view of the car, with the main hoop following the angle of the door pillar.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

teamshelley wrote:

Im saying an angle other than 90 off the spreader plate, definitely not bending the tube. A few degrees of angle.

Golden...no issues.

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

Here are two examples of the main hoops following the angle of the door pillars. What were planning on doing.


http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/teamshelley/davesmustang3_zpsn715pyqk.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/teamshelley/018_zpscqwiyxjl.jpg

Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

teamshelley wrote:

OK now another question. Does the main hoop have to be 90 degrees off the floor pan, or can it match a slight angle of the door pillar. After looking at lots of pics of Lemons cages on the web it looks like this is acceptable, would like to make sure!

The reality of fitting a seat and a cage to an actual car might mean the base of the hoop has to be forward a bit to clear back seat structure then tilted back a bit for the harness bar to clear the seat back.  You should install the seat with consideration for your tallest drivers BEFORE doing cage work.  Yes, you will have to pull it out to finish fitting/welding the cage.  Cutting out a main hoop to fit a seat is worse.

Do not tilt the main hoop or chose placement on the floor because it "looks" good.

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

I vaguely remember reading another post with the angle of the main hoop in question, and the answer from the powers that be was they would like to see it as close to 90* as possible.  I have no idea how tight tech inspection is on that aspect.

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Re: Mustang Rollcage Question

racinrob wrote:

I have no idea how tight tech inspection is on that aspect.

I would imagine that depends a lot on what the rest of the cage looks like.

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