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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Roll cages
I'm contemplating a roll cage for the 127, whilst it won't be an out and out offroad toy, I hope to use it for overlanding trips and am conscious that a standard defender is rather useless in a crash should the worst happen. Then again, most owners don't seem too concerned? It didn't even cross my mind when I built the 110.

Any thoughts / recommendations from those with a roll cage welcomed. I suppose a front hoop would be a significant improvement, but I'm leaning towards a Safety Devices full exterior cage and internal hoop, not sure if it would be a nuisance for me at 6'5? Presume there is good reason for having it in there though....


 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #941116 5th Feb 2022 2:21pm
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jimbo55



Member Since: 15 Jul 2020
Location: Midlands
Posts: 398

United Kingdom 
I personally wouldn’t have a defender without a cage regardless off use, they fold flat very easily. I’ve seen enough people have major injuries from accidents even when no fault of their own.

I have a P&P cage on my 90 and it’s a good fit, they made a few custom changes for me as well and the price was very reasonable. I would use them again if I needed one, but then again providing you go to someone reputable with good engineering knowledge you should be fine.

If you’re unsure on if the internal hoop with be an issue for you, probably best to find someone with a 110/130 with one fitted and sit in it and see how it feels.

What do you plan on using the rear for? If you want a canopy of some kind then the full external May not be suitable. But the full externals definitely look great on double cabs
Post #941124 5th Feb 2022 3:20pm
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deep down



Member Since: 02 May 2012
Location: France
Posts: 204

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Zambezi Silver

Click image to enlarge

I have a P&P cage on the 110DC. P&P were very helpful and even built the rear section to the spec I wanted over the rear tub section for the Roof tent.

Attached a few images.

You can see the internal hoop is set quite far back, my seat has rail extenders and is all the way back slight recline and the headrest is still in front of the hoop. I'm a mere 6'2" and have no issues

Click image to enlarge



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Post #941133 5th Feb 2022 4:21pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Thanks both, will drop P&P a line and try and track down a caged double cab with internal hoop to have a sit in. Presume the P&P cages are bolt in not weld in?

Initially I'll run it as a pickup, the longterm plan is to either fabricate a canopy similar to the AFN ones or build a tray and canopy to replace the hi-cap rear body. It looks as though I could convert between the pick up and canopy variants of the SD cage relatively easily if needs be. A tray would be harder to cage but ultimately its the safety of those in the cab that I'm most concerned about.

Has anyone 'used' a cage with or without the internal hoop? How did you / the vehicle fare? 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #941315 6th Feb 2022 8:09pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10379

United Kingdom 
A mate used his one day old Whitbread cage, luckily he wasn’t in at the time (long story), though it held up well, barrel rolled at speed.


Click image to enlarge


The owner of P&P Cages passed away a short time ago, the business (as far as I’m aware) is currently up for sale.

Please be aware of close proximities of the head - internal cage, injuries can and do happen, sometimes fatal…tube padding should be your least protection.
Post #941318 6th Feb 2022 8:24pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Think I've seen some of your photos of that 90 before Greeni, good to see it didn't fold flat!

You make a very good point re the internal hoop, did the 90 have one? I can see that they would add strength in the event of a roll but that's not much use if you crack your head on it. Helmets aren't really practical for daily driving either.... 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #941320 6th Feb 2022 8:30pm
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deep down



Member Since: 02 May 2012
Location: France
Posts: 204

Wales 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Zambezi Silver
Shroppy wrote:
Presume the P&P cages are bolt in not weld in?


Yes all bolted, took me a day to fit, with a few coffee breaks.
Post #941321 6th Feb 2022 8:33pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2623

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
When i was looking for a cage for the 90 i opted for the SD full external.

One of the reasons being is that it fits closer to the body work. Some of the other cages you can almost slide your arm between the panel and cage.

Another point is that SD cages are (or were when i got mine) available via Terrafirma suppliers and held in stock and available to collected within a few days.

My P and P cage (110 CSW) took weeks as it was made to order, then they sent me some of the wrong parts which i then had to wait for the other customer to return his incorrect order so they could send them on to me.

The P and P cage sections that mate the external cage to the internal is flat (with the body panel sandwiched in between) and bolted. With the SD cage the connection is like the male / female part of a Lego brick. You have to cut a square out to accommodate this. This is quite scary when you do the first one, measure 300 times and attack.....

In regards to the hoop behind the driver seat, this could cause problems if you are tall and have sports front seats with the wider shoulder support. The seat wont go back far enough.

Hope this helps



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Post #941322 6th Feb 2022 8:36pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10379

United Kingdom 
I helped fit an SD cage a few weeks back, snug fit and well executed, give yourself an extra hour to simply unwrap the thing! Certainly a full day’s work for 2 people, rear bench seats out, outer wings off etc.


Click image to enlarge
Post #941323 6th Feb 2022 8:42pm
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markb110



Member Since: 22 May 2010
Location: Guildford
Posts: 2623

England 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Epsom Green
Thought i would add this.

I sold the 110 after 11.5 years to Tongle Safari Lodge in Malawi (like you do)


Post #941328 6th Feb 2022 9:01pm
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boode



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 428

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Rutland Red
I went for the SD cage as used in the 50th versions - external window hoop and an internal hoop behind the seats - both connected to the chassis
It does not look too extreme - but still gives good protection


Click image to enlarge


This is the picture that convinced me of the strength of it - both wings and roof damaged (looks like it has rolled) but passenger compartment in intact


Post #941329 6th Feb 2022 9:04pm
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GREENI



Member Since: 22 Aug 2010
Location: staffs
Posts: 10379

United Kingdom 
That’s one way to eliminate rusty doors
Post #941330 6th Feb 2022 9:05pm
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Smyles_



Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 517

Denmark 
Hey Shroppy and fellow tall man Thumbs Up

https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic77303.html

I had concerns about the internal hoop and shoulder/headroom.

I also emailed SD about it and they recommended I look at L260 instead of L247 w/ internal hoop. Stuart


Cummins 130 Build Thread
Instagram

58 130 Double Cab HCPU - Cairns Blue
04 110 Double Cab - Black (gone)
07 Audi RS4 Avant - Silver
Post #941334 6th Feb 2022 9:27pm
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Shroppy



Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

United Kingdom 1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green
Thanks all for your feedback, looks as though I'll be going for the L260 Safety Devices cage then! How is your 130 coming along Stuart? Hopefully better than mine! Rolling with laughter 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"
Post #941710 8th Feb 2022 8:12pm
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Smyles_



Member Since: 25 Aug 2018
Location: Copenhagen
Posts: 517

Denmark 
Equally painful - wonder which of us will be finished first Rolling with laughter

I think about 8 weeks until completion. Maybe sooner, but I've been saying that for a while now Snigger

No regrets though Twisted Evil Stuart


Cummins 130 Build Thread
Instagram

58 130 Double Cab HCPU - Cairns Blue
04 110 Double Cab - Black (gone)
07 Audi RS4 Avant - Silver
Post #941712 8th Feb 2022 8:34pm
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