Review of Safety Devices Interior Roll Cage

OK, I've finally got this thing installed and so I want to write a little review for you all.

I bought one for my truck about a year ago, and finally installed it last week. I ordered the Puma version because it looked better, and it seemed like the angle on the uprights would provide a bit better shoulder room for both front and rear passengers.

The installation process was really not too bad as long as you have some nice sharp drill bits, and as long as you really take the time to install, measure, uninstall, measure, install, drill, measure, uninstall, measure, drill, install, measure....... I did almost all of it by myself, but it was nice to have someone to hold things once in a while. Also, using a ratchet strap and clamps helped me twist and fold it into place while doing the fixing. Also, I was trying to juggle the installation of new trim, new seat belts, and I was hoping to pull and refurbish my rear windows all at once. This kept me hung up for a while.

However, only after getting it installed did I realize the full drawbacks to this modification. As if the rear seats in the Defender weren't a bit too high already, once the roll cage is installed, there is no longer any room for rear passengers who are over 5.5 feet tall. Kids would probably not notice. But any medium to tall adult will instantly realize that the side of their head only has about 1" of clearance, and that even a pot hole would produce a nasty bump on the head.


Of course, padding will need to be installed at this particular spot. However, this will mean that an adult will be in contact with the bar/padding at all times, not just when there is a bump.

I installed the roll cage thinking I was making the truck a bit safer for my family, but now I really can't take any rear passengers at all. The roll cage does have the benefit of stiffening the body a bit, my doors close better, and with less rattle. And it is nice to have something in the truck that is really solid.

From the two front seats the roll cage makes no real difference unless you happen to be one who pushes the seat all the way back for a driving position.

This is giving me incentive to try to get some high back seats installed as I have long thought of using a set of front seats, lowering them a bit, and mounting them just an inch to the inside -- based on my testing with the roll cage, this would make a huge difference, and possibly even make it easy for adults to ride back there without a second thought.
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Thanks for the review. This is helpful info

Welcome to the rear passenger head injuries club

Thanks! I put my exo on last year. I should give a review on that soon too. Thanks for this!

Just to clarify. I had been thinking of doing a mod to the rear seating anyway, and I do like the cage, it's just that it introduces new challenges. It's something to think about before getting one, but I wouldn't say you should not get one. Personally, I just never liked the external cages, so this was the other option.

Does it take away headroom height or is the issue just on the sides?

Just the side of the head. And only for rear passengers unless you have your seat all the way back. The pic shows how the front seatbelt is actually mounted further back now, and the bar looks like it is right there, but I don?t notice it at all while driving. This was something I had been a bit afraid of, but it isn?t a problem at all for where I have the seat.

When I sit myself in the rear seats, my temples on the side of my head are only 1-2 inches from that lower bar. It feels like it is right there, in your space, even when sitting still.

Would it be possible to not install the lower bar of the two? Would that alleviate side head clearance issue?

I'm sure you could omit whatever you wanted BUT the structural integrity is based on it being installed as the directions show.

good write up, thanks. My next build was going to have an internal cage too, probably the camel trophy style rack.

The internal cage is very interesting, esp with something like Alu-cab tent top. The trouble is the front and how to tie that in to protect the driver, as well as bars to head for the passengers. They do make nice padding but...

I?m waffling on the cage exo or internal... exo precludes a flip top tent. I need to see another Ali-cab one

Great write up !

RBBailey said:

Just to clarify. I had been thinking of doing a mod to the rear seating anyway, and I do like the cage, it's just that it introduces new challenges. It's something to think about before getting one, but I wouldn't say you should not get one. Personally, I just never liked the external cages, so this was the other option.

Click to expand...

Do you think the EXMOOR Premium High Back Seats would still fit and be fully functional? Appreciate the write-up.

rlynch356 said:

The internal cage is very interesting, esp with something like Alu-cab tent top. The trouble is the front and how to tie that in to protect the driver, as well as bars to head for the passengers. They do make nice padding but...

I?m waffling on the cage exo or internal... exo precludes a flip top tent. I need to see another Ali-cab one

Great write up !

Click to expand...

EXO does not have to preclude a flip top tent. P&p cages have made a custom 110 roll cage for people with alucab

RedWingRoamer said:

Do you think the EXMOOR Premium High Back Seats would still fit and be fully functional? Appreciate the write-up.

Click to expand...

They do fit, however, you may still have the same headroom issue, so you might want to lower the mounting.

Napalm00 said:

EXO does not have to preclude a flip top tent. P&p cages have made a custom 110 roll cage for people with alucab

Click to expand...

say what now?

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