5 Lug Long Travel 2rz Turbo Build

Every chance I get I run with the big guys (2500, 250, 350, 3500). Afterwords guys roll down their windows and are like SWEET TRUCK DUDE! So cool getting props from dudes thinking they own the baddest truck in the world.

 

As of last weekend I stripped the cab down after my off road trip. Went through about 6 cutting blades. It is impossible to get a sawall in there. I started thinking how I want to do my "A" pillar. I'm going to cut out the factory front body mount bend towards the cab, go straight up and try to follow as close as I can to the A pillar, make a bend at the roof line, and out the cab into the bed. I'd like to keep working AC vents so I'm going through the factory crash bar. I'll mate the crash bar to the cage. You can see in my sample piece that I do for measurement that the crash bar will be the perfect spot to go through. It should also cut down blind spots too. I'm making custom front body mounts to replace the weak factory ones. The cage will terminate on top of the body mount. I have my work cut out for me this weekend. The A pillars might take me a few weekends because it is the most complicated part to a cab cage. I like to try and make it one piece if I'm skilled enough. Here is to the end of my social life for a bit, lol.

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When the tube bender comes out you know things are serious. That was just a test bend to figure out how to bend my a pillar tube really close to the cab.



Also kiss the front body mounts goodbye.

 

The thing that makes things not straight. Damn. I could only imagine the work it would take to cage the cab. Legit.

 

It still hasn't set in how long this is going to take me. My method of attack is try not to get burnt out. I'll have some pretty good pics after the Memorial day weekend. If I get excited about it I might take a day off work to get some extra time into this cage. It is nice having the week to figure out how the next part is going to work. First cab cage. It is big learning curve jump.

 

If you need contact tips, welding wire or nozzles give me a heads up. I should have some extra spools lying around

 

Ever find any hole saw bits that work better than the Milwaukee ones you get at the hardware store? I'm using 1.75" hole saw bit for tube notching.

https://www.zoro.com/milwaukee-hole...gclid=CLyz--Hs88wCFYdlfgod_c0J9w&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

I just used harbor freight ones and so far worked good.

Yeah, my 5 day vacation i had planned for doing my rear LT has now turned into 3+ weeks. Lol

 

I love my Matco hole saw set, notches great. They even warranty them.

 

If I'm skilled and patient enough with my tools I'd like to tie my A pillar to the frame like this with the 2 1.5" gussets coming in at an angle.

 

You got less than a month before Tuff trucks this year

 

I guarantee you I won't be ready for tuff trucks in late June. Good chance I'm not rolling til fall with my work schedule

 

At least you'll be ready for King of the Hammers.

 

Finally happy with the placement of the tubes. Looks better in person. If something doesn't look symmetrical the camera is being weird. A pillar on each side is spilt in 3 pieces with a splice just to make fitment tighter. Also when I drop the cage down in case I need to pull something apart I can make it work. Should be able to tack weld them this weekend and move onto the roof tubing.

 

Sub'd because this is badass.

 

subd because i want cage

 

Great work dude. Looks awesome.

 

Man. Ready to build one in mine now?

 

Haha no way man. This one will get me my fill of doing a cage. You'll be needing one soon with that beastly motor going in

 

Need to upgrade my engine mounts too.