[SurfnSnow]

hey all, I found a psc trail cage on ebay for $285 for my TJ, but before I buy, I was wondering how much would it be to have someone weld it all together? 4wheel parts was asking $640 to do the install, is that to much?

 

[bluvikng]

That sounds about right.

 

[bzserv5057]

Hey if you are feeling brave...go down to your local highschool, and talk to the shop teacher, and ask if they are willing to use your jeep as a learning project, maybe a little donation to the shop also...I see this all the time at our local school..and some of the work that comes out is really great.

 

[sgettin]

$640.00 isn't that far off the price of a new wire welder. check out your local hardware store. stick with lincohn, miller, or hobart brand.

wire welding is easy to learn and when your done, for your $640.00, you've still got a nice welder.

 

[bluvikng]

The reason it cost so much, is because there is a lot to weld, keep straight, align, and make look nice. It is not a project for a beginner, or novice. I realize that you will not be able to enlarge this photo, to see the welds, but there are a bunch of them. This cage is for a YJ.

View attachment 477

 

[sgettin]

"It is not a project for a beginner, or novice."
valid point. i wouldn't want to advise anyone to get in over their head and end up discouraged.

from your picture it looks as though a novice would need the help of an experienced welder or else end result could be an expensive mess. but anyway thats a mute point. i agree would pbly be better for surfnsnow to pay to have it done.

 

[SurfnSnow]

thanks for the info guys. I don't mind paying for quality work because I know that's something I couldn't takle yet

 

[jeepersandcreepers]

Look for an experienced welder because you do not want to compromise the strength of the cage. Generally I would only consider a welder that has years of experience welding roll cages (look for local drag racers or in the racing scene on the welders they recommend). Over the years I have seen some unsafe cages that were not properly welded and if a cage is not welded properly they may even create a greater hazard.

 

[bzserv5057]

Hey guys don't get me wrong about the novice highschoolers....But I have seen some top work come out if the local highschools.. I know the local highschool shop teacher here and know that when it comes to quality he is very detailed...He allows his students to do the work, but he supervises the work very carefully....In fact I saw a whole racing cage built for one of the students that races at the local tracks here and every weid I saw was top notch........ and yes he now races with this car.....

All I am sayin is if you have a good highschool around you and they allow outside projects to come in, don't be afraid to give these young boys a chance at learning..remember this kids could be our future off roaders....

 

[1BLKJP]

I would say that 65 to 75 bucks an hour is standard for Welding/Fab work to be done. That cage has a lot of tacking and fitting to do for it to be put in. It's not something that can just be taken and welded together without the vehicle there for precise fitment. Also it take some doing to get your old cage out there.

 

[jeeperman]

I would say that 65 to 75 bucks an hour is standard for Welding/Fab work to be done. That cage has a lot of tacking and fitting to do for it to be put in. It's not something that can just be taken and welded together without the vehicle there for precise fitment. Also it take some doing to get your old cage out there.

What he said^^^^^. You could probably save some money by taking the old cage out yourself if you are having a full cage built, otherwise, that wouldn't help. One thing to keep in mind, if you ever need that cage, you are putting your life in the hands of the person that welds that cage in for you. I have seen one cage collapse and barely clear the drivers head (just dumb luck) and another that you couldn't tell that it had rolled after both went over in the same spot, just do to cage design and welding ability. So please, for your sake, don't scrimp on welders' fees.

 

[mrbigjeep]

yeah, you don't want to hurt yourself (or your jeep ) in a rollover

 

[bluvikng]

yeah, you don't want to hurt yourself (or your jeep ) in a rollover

Words of wisdom.

 

[SurfnSnow]

yeah, that's true. I'll just wait and save some more to get it done right or get the bolt in cage from psc or rockhard 4x4