GBrown 1867 Build

[Squatting Dog]

I understand it would not save the Raptor, but the occupants.


-Greg (aka squatting dog)

 

[Icecobra]

It only saves the passengers, if, you keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.. I have seen nasty rollovers where occupants arms or legs went under the roll cage works like a bar chopping off limbs... you must have oh shit handles to hold on to.. so add them and remind passengers, sit down, shut up and hold on....

 

[GBrown1867]

I would agree that if you intend on racing then a full cage is the way to go. In my case it was the strong dislike for the stock seat belts when getting after it as they progressively tighten, that led me to my decision. As I have stated before, building out my truck is more of a journey than a destination. I can see a full cage in my future when it is no longer my DD.

The problem with the stock seats is they are too soft and give too much in case of a rollover. Even with the harnesses you can slip out of them and hit the roll cage inside the truck. Also they are not designed to be used with a harness; the seat back can break causing major injury and if mounted in the wrong location can break your back. (Not saying yours are mounted wrong)
As far as being built as a race truck, you and I have both done things in our non-race trucks, that if things had gone bad they would have gone really bad. Everybody differs on opinions and you and I differ on many. Not to say one of us is right or wrong, just different. In my case I decided to go with the safest cage as possible. I did not want to install a bolt in cage, need it and wish I had gone with a full cage.
I agree with the part about the truck being a DD and I am lucky mine is a weekend toy. However, I have thought a great amount about the comfort level of the seats and what it’s going to like on my 12 hour drive down to Mexico. That is why I went with the 3 G’s, with heated seats and lumbar support. I don’t recline my seat that much so that is not so much an issue with me.

 

[E63]

The problem with the stock seats is they are too soft and give too much in case of a rollover. Even with the harnesses you can slip out of them and hit the roll cage inside the truck. Also they are not designed to be used with a harness; the seat back can break causing major injury and if mounted in the wrong location can break your back. (Not saying yours are mounted wrong)
As far as being built as a race truck, you and I have both done things in our non-race trucks, that if things had gone bad they would have gone really bad. Everybody differs on opinions and you and I differ on many. Not to say one of us is right or wrong, just different. In my case I decided to go with the safest cage as possible. I did not want to install a bolt in cage, need it and wish I had gone with a full cage.
I agree with the part about the truck being a DD and I am lucky mine is a weekend toy. However, I have thought a great amount about the comfort level of the seats and what it’s going to like on my 12 hour drive down to Mexico. That is why I went with the 3 G’s, with heated seats and lumbar support. I don’t recline my seat that much so that is not so much an issue with me.

If only they come out with the AC seats I might become a convert. Jarrett was trying to convert me to a full cage as he say's I have progressed to that point, This is after a lot of work getting it done, heck it was still be worked on when he said that. I chalk it up to him being super excited about his new full cage. Since his truck doesn't have a sunroof, he was able to tuck the top cross bar ("B" pillar) flush with existing cab structural pieces and plated it all in nicely.

At some point I may go long travel suspension and then would also likely do the full cage and seats, by that time my kids will be all in college and I can make do with less passengers, maybe a single rear seat. Meanwhile I will drive within my and the truck's ability - at least that is the plan.

 

[BlueSVT]

Where I stand on the cage issue...

There are MANY things about a cage that make the vehicle "less" safe also, for use on the street. Rear seat passengers can be seriously injured on the metal that now surrounds them, and if un-belted would mean certain serious injury or death even in a moderate front/side impact. Even front seat passengers not belted in with proper harnesses, helmets, and proper racing seats also are at serious risk in a side impact, as your head can come in contact with the roll bars. It's surprising how much you actually move, even when you think you're harnessed in.

A buddy of mine wearing full harnesses in a RZR with stock RZR seats was T-***** by a sand-rail at Glamis... even harnessed in, his head impacted the rear roll cage WITH HIS HELMET ON, which was normally about 6-8" away when normally seated. Put an inch deep gash in his helmet, almost through the foam. He would have surely been killed without his helmet.

So to take on those additional risks by installing a bolt-in cage, only to not PROPERLY install a full weld-in cage? I just don't understand it. I can't even justify a weld in cage because of those increased risks for a DD (as I don't want to wear harness, helmet, or have race seats). It's more understandable when you know you're building a proper, fully reinforced, weld-in cage that has been proven to do it's job in a rollover.

Not trying to put down any/all bolt-in cages... just saying it seems like it's half the effort, while taking on ALL the downsides and safety concerns! Hell, ask Gordon... I was still trying to talk him out of the full weld-in cage, too! Just so many worries, when used on the streets/highways.

Looking forward to making fun of my buddy when he's in full race gear during his trips to the grocery store! haha

 

[Wilson]

 

[E63]

I do plan on getting the foam wraps for side and mid tubes. Everything is a trade off, I'll take my chances with my 3.5 ton rig, just a bit of difference from a dune buggy.

 

[Icecobra]

With everything said, does it look incredible Gordon?

 

[BlueSVT]

I do plan on getting the foam wraps for side and mid tubes. Everything is a trade off, I'll take my chances with my 3.5 ton rig, just a bit of difference from a dune buggy.

Do the foam for sure... could literally make the difference between injury/death!

All cages still scare me (bolt/weld in). haha.

I've just decided to take it a bit easier... even though it's hard when GBrown is always trying to be Robby Gordon... We keep saying that, but don't seem to slow down!

 

[GBrown1867]

With everything said, does it look incredible Gordon?

With all they have been doing to Grant's truck mine got put on the back burner. Spoke with Connor today and the tear down should start this week.