Internal cage or exo cage?

easleycrawler · Feb 26, 2014

I am considering a exo cage on my 83 yota. The only thing is, I'm really not an exo fan. I would like to hear from any one with a internal cage in first gen Toyota's. How much room do you have left with a internal cage, Im either gonna go with 4xinnovations cage or build one, and have the a-pillar bar go through the dash, Instead of around the dash. Does the guys with internal cages have problems with hitting the head on the cage. Thanks for any advise and info.

grcthird · Feb 26, 2014

I have an interior cage in my 85 x cab and won't have another one, I'm about 6' tall and have smacked my head a couple of times before I put harnesses in, I have seats from a early 90s 4 runner so maybe different seats that sit lower may make it less of an issue. Cage is tight against roof and is built from 1.5" tube. I constantly hit my head if I have a helmet on when going fast. :driving:

(Well whatever fast for a Toyota is)

easleycrawler · Feb 26, 2014

Thanks for the info. I'm about 6' myself, I guess I'll just take my time and build a exo that fits really tight with the cab and make it look as good as possible. Post some pics of clean and tight exo's if anyone has some. Thanks

bluetoy · Feb 26, 2014

Not enough room in a first gen toy for an internal cage. An exo cage ain't that bad if you don't build it 11" away from the body like some I've seen. Take your time and keep it tight to the cab.

One tip though, take the body mounts apart and remove the sleeve that's between the two rubber mounts. The sleeve is designed to keep you from over tightening the rubber bushing, but allows the cab to flex a lot and get into the cage. Remove the sleeves and tighten the crap out of the bolts. This will tighten the cab up and minimize movement.

easleycrawler · Feb 26, 2014

Thanks for the tip.

TacomaJD · Feb 26, 2014

Exo FTW! What happens when you roll or flop with an internal cage? Sheet metal looks like a raisen and glass is busted out. Exo that bitch then you can beat the **** out of it without fawkin up body panels and it always looks the same if you roll it. My rig had an internal cage in it when the previous owner first bought it. He rolled it and it wrinkled up everything, cut the internal cage out, the roof off, and exoed it. Cage is built close to the lines of the truck too, so like mentioned above it doesn't stick out and look all gay.

Before with internal cage (and obviously too much Nitrogen in the rear air shocks lol)

And now. One of the roof bars is a little bent and from a couple good flops and 1 good rollover, the cage has shifted a little closer to the body on the passenger side, but still not enough to matter.

grcthird · Feb 26, 2014

JD I bought your old internal cage from Jamie and it's the one in my truck now.

TacomaJD · Feb 26, 2014

grcthird said:
JD I bought your old internal cage from Jamie and it's the one in my truck now.

Awesome, didn't know that. Actually didn't know if it messed it up when he rolled it or not, I just knew that he took it off and sawed the roof off molaugh

easleycrawler · Feb 26, 2014

I had already thought about cutting the top off and doing a cage like that. But the truck is still straight and not beat to **** yet.

79yoyo · Feb 26, 2014

This was my '79 model. Guy in greenville did it. Hell of a job. I was very pleased

79yoyo · Feb 26, 2014

And this is how it looks now. Well last pic I saw of it on here

79yoyo · Feb 26, 2014

I vote go exo. I got an internal on my '85 now

Rokcrler · Feb 26, 2014

Exo for added room. Unless youre going to gut the inside of the cab, being 6' plus gets you too close to the tubes.
bluetoys

Mine

My old rig

Build it tight and it will look good.
This is the tightest fitting internal cage ive seen.
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3735&highlight=scootek

pplblazerdude · Feb 27, 2014

Exo all the way. I'm 6'5 and had a inside and constantly hit my head and it sucked.

That's one I did on my Yota

Also did one on my brother 4 runner

So much nicer to just lay the truck into trees and rocks and pivot of the cage and not care at all.

Sent from a undisclosed thinkin spot...

easleycrawler · Feb 27, 2014

Thanks for all the info and advise. Guess I'm gonna do a exo.

kkoepper · Feb 27, 2014

What pplblazerdude said. An exo is great for sliding off rocks and trees. Also keeps those rocks and trees a little further from your body when you roll or flop. I won't have another rig without one.

twizt3dfuc · Feb 27, 2014

Re:

I feel a lot safer in my Cherokee with an exo than I did in my buggy. I've always loved the look of them though (well since I started doing this stuff).

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

easleycrawler · Feb 27, 2014

Does anyone know who I could get to do my exo? A good friend of mine was going to do it, but doesn't have time before we go to Harlan in April. I would like a reasonable price, but quality work. I've got the tubing. Needs to be somewhat close to south Carolina.