I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages are of putting the front cage down bars through the dash. This is not in a G body so the space is at a premium. It is just a ton more work to fit the dash after the bars are in? Is it because most kits are built for the bars in front of the dash? I would think from a pure safety standpoint the bars through the dash would be more safe because they would require fewer bends. Some of the down bars I have seen look more like oragami. In what plane are they "incompressible"? Interesting topic anyway.
Cage bars through dash or in front?
- Thread starter fuzzyGN
- Start date
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
My chassis guy would only do mine thru the dash, didn't ask why.
forcefed3.8's
Buckeye Bullet
- Joined
- May 26, 2002
When going through the dash, it is easier to put a dash bar in. With the bars infront of the dash, the bar usually gets left out.
Much easier to put the dash in when the bars follow the A pillar closely, you are correct those bends give clearance, but compromise strength and require more tie bars, what bewilders me is how few people running fast cars do not have the front down tubes tied thru the firewall.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2001
I had to remove the emergency brake handle and move the XFI box when going thru the dash. We mounted the XFI to the cage.
That sure looks a lot cleaner with the front bars hidden. The main reason I am going to cage the Vega is so the smaller diameter tubes can be used legally. I don't think it will actually require a cage vs. a 6 point but who knows? With the bars in front of the dash getting in would be very tight. Just not much room in the first place. Lrayzer, are you talking about additional bars attached to the down bars through the firewall, and down to the frame? Like in a 12 point cage? I am going to consider that also because of the unibody constriction in front. Really no frame to connect it to but could weld something to the box frame looking thing. Sackracing, how close to the A pillars are your front bars? Can the trim be put back on? I may make up some box-in plates and weld the bar to the A pillars. Finding good Vega trim isn't too easy 
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.- Joined
- May 26, 2001
Here is a GN with an 8.50 cage we did, and added bars to the front frame for stiffening.
The bars were low enough not to interfere with the dash, but still added strength to the frame more than a safety consideration.
The bars were low enough not to interfere with the dash, but still added strength to the frame more than a safety consideration.
FastDiesel
Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2010
Here's the way they did mine.
GetOwnedVette
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2006
Here's the way they did mine.
Wow that looks amazing....what steering shaft is that?
FastDiesel
Member
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2010
Bought it a long time ago from flaming river.
It's not because of safety, but certain rules apply with bars being tied down through the fire wall, that car will not be able to race in a certain class! I can think of NMRA, and I know there is at least three more classes in different NMCA, and Out-law! I know it's stupid, because these classes have to obtain some street a-tire car. Dumb, cause safety is number one! Glad you brought that up. i always go through the dash! My opinion, but hey some guys like the stock speaker locations!
awesome company , so they do make them for the g-body market, thanks !
Dusty Bradford
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2001
I prefer through the dash because it looks so much cleaner.
