Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ???

Rusty Davenport · 08-22-2013, 09:52 AM

Does a full roll cage installation----not roll bar----delete the necessity of subframe connectors or do they serve different functions ???

Myron Piatek · 08-22-2013, 11:46 AM

Putting a rollcage in without frame connectors is like leaving out some of the bars! It all works together, but the frame connectors are like the foundation in what's added to keep the chassis from flexing.

Jim Wahl · 08-22-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Putting a rollcage in without frame connectors is like leaving out some of the bars! It all works together, but the frame connectors are like the foundation in what's added to keep the chassis from flexing.

X2! Jim

.

tj310 · 08-22-2013, 12:38 PM

First time I saw subframe connectors it was because the seatmounts had rotted through the floor ! If your starting with a rustfree unibody you may get by with the stock floor and rockers. ---Trevor

Dwight Southerland · 08-22-2013, 12:44 PM

Aren't subframe connectors required with a cage?

glen myers · 08-22-2013, 02:48 PM

Rusty....there ya go over-thinking it again....

Rusty Davenport · 08-22-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glen myers

Rusty....there ya go over-thinking it again....

thanks Glen, that was really helpful hahahahaha get the spray can out.

Lew Silverman · 08-22-2013, 04:11 PM

I believe if you order a 8- or 10-point rollcage for a uni-body vehicle, it is supplied with 6X6 steel plates to facilitate it's installation. Most of the "popular" vehicles have sub-frame connectors available, but I personally don't believe that the connectors are an adequate substitute/replacement for a full frame when installing a roll cage. Just one person's opinion!

Tom Goldman · 08-23-2013, 11:24 AM

Frame connectors are a necessity to keep the front spring boxes from pushing out .
With modern torque converters , tons of gear ,radials and Caltracks, ect. , There is way too much force concentrated in that area to forgo the connectors.
Also be sure to tie the main hoop braces into the connectors.
If it's a Mopar or Ford, I also run braces from the front bars to the firewall area at the top of the fender trough,
You cant go thru the firewall in Stock , but you can brace it inside.

Jeff Lee · 08-23-2013, 06:43 PM

John Calvert ran his original 68 1/2 CJ Mustang (4-speed) for years with a bolt-in roll cage and no subframe connectors. I believe tech finally said no and he took care of it with a welded cage. Not sure if he has sub-frame connectors now. So can it be done? Yes. But is it wise? Not really.

One costly mistake I made was not placing rocker bars (at least on the drivers side) when I went from a roll bar to roll cage and switched to SS/H at the same time. Although I had sub-frame connectors from day one, even with a CM roll bar, the extra 100 HP, 6800-7200 RPM stick launches and Cal-Track system reeked havoc on the drivers side torque box causing an eventually dangerous ride. And it's been parked since. I believe rocker bars would have eliminated the problem. And it wasn't for lack of funds, that extra part may have been $20-$50. I just didn't think it through.

08-22-2013, 09:52 AM	#1
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 505 Likes: 4 Liked 100 Times in 26 Posts	Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? Does a full roll cage installation----not roll bar----delete the necessity of subframe connectors or do they serve different functions ??? __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772

08-22-2013, 11:46 AM	#2
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,539 Likes: 34 Liked 135 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? Putting a rollcage in without frame connectors is like leaving out some of the bars! It all works together, but the frame connectors are like the foundation in what's added to keep the chassis from flexing. Last edited by Myron Piatek; 08-22-2013 at 11:50 AM.

08-22-2013, 12:38 PM	#4
tj310 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dresden On. Canada Posts: 460 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? First time I saw subframe connectors it was because the seatmounts had rotted through the floor ! If your starting with a rustfree unibody you may get by with the stock floor and rockers. ---Trevor

08-22-2013, 12:44 PM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,982 Likes: 54 Liked 726 Times in 177 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? Aren't subframe connectors required with a cage?

08-22-2013, 02:48 PM	#6
glen myers Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: GAINESVILLE,VA Posts: 81 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? Rusty....there ya go over-thinking it again....

08-22-2013, 04:11 PM	#8
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,438 Likes: 372 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? I believe if you order a 8- or 10-point rollcage for a uni-body vehicle, it is supplied with 6X6 steel plates to facilitate it's installation. Most of the "popular" vehicles have sub-frame connectors available, but I personally don't believe that the connectors are an adequate substitute/replacement for a full frame when installing a roll cage. Just one person's opinion! __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

08-23-2013, 11:24 AM	#9
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,438 Likes: 783 Liked 703 Times in 206 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? Frame connectors are a necessity to keep the front spring boxes from pushing out . With modern torque converters , tons of gear ,radials and Caltracks, ect. , There is way too much force concentrated in that area to forgo the connectors. Also be sure to tie the main hoop braces into the connectors. If it's a Mopar or Ford, I also run braces from the front bars to the firewall area at the top of the fender trough, You cant go thru the firewall in Stock , but you can brace it inside. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK Last edited by Tom Goldman; 08-23-2013 at 11:27 AM.

08-23-2013, 06:43 PM	#10
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Full cage in a stocker.......subframe connectors ??? John Calvert ran his original 68 1/2 CJ Mustang (4-speed) for years with a bolt-in roll cage and no subframe connectors. I believe tech finally said no and he took care of it with a welded cage. Not sure if he has sub-frame connectors now. So can it be done? Yes. But is it wise? Not really. One costly mistake I made was not placing rocker bars (at least on the drivers side) when I went from a roll bar to roll cage and switched to SS/H at the same time. Although I had sub-frame connectors from day one, even with a CM roll bar, the extra 100 HP, 6800-7200 RPM stick launches and Cal-Track system reeked havoc on the drivers side torque box causing an eventually dangerous ride. And it's been parked since. I believe rocker bars would have eliminated the problem. And it wasn't for lack of funds, that extra part may have been $20-$50. I just didn't think it through. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX