The Need To Know On Roll Cage Design
BOLT IN OR WELD IN?
Bolt in roll cages can be a cost effective way to provide a suitable level of safety for track days and club level racing. These roll cages are a fantastic budget solution, however we would always recommend full weld in roll cages for customers that want the best level of safety.
Weld in roll cages are often lighter, yet stronger than bolt in cages and for that professional look and quality it is worth the investment.
MIG OR TIG WELDING?
We offer both types of welding process but its worth knowing the difference when choosing the spec of your roll cage.
Mig is the most common type of welding process and is a fast effective and reliable way to join the components but offers less heat control and is not as aesthetically pleasing compared to tig.
Tig welding the roll cage together offers better heat control for thinner materials like T45 and arguably has a much nicer tidy finish than mig but comes at a premium price due to being a more skilled and slower process.
T45 OR CDS?
Both T45 and CDS materials meet msa/fia specifications but that is were the similarities end. CDS is the standard through the industry offering good levels of strength and cost but is heavy in comparison.
T45 is a superior material creating a stronger and lighter roll cage but comes at a premium cost.
we always recommend T45 to any customer who is conscious about build weight and plans to finish on the podium.
Basic Roll Cage Components/Terminology
gusset
door bar
diagonal
hoop
rear leg
harness bar
roof bar
front leg
pit prop
window bar
HOOP
every roll cage has a hoop and is normally the first component manufactured
WINDOW BAR
runs across the top of the window connecting the front legs
PIT PROP
a secondary front leg support
GUSSET
a gusset re enforces the bars of a roll cage and can come in many sizes or shapes
DOOR BAR
door bars offer side protection to the occupants
A PILLAR/FRONT LEG
the front leg runs from the hoop down the a pillar of the car down to the floor
DIAGONAL
a bar that runs diagonal within the roll cage giving strength.
ROOF BAR
this bar runs along the roof skin of the vehicle to stop intrusion from objects in the even of a roll
HARNESS BAR
this bar installed to mount the shoulder section of the occupants harness
REARWARD LEG/SUPPORT
this bar supports the hoop and runs backwards into the rear of the car.