Putting a Roll Cage in my Jeep Cherokee! XO-Fab Hybrid XJ Cage Install

[@DeuceDeuceBravo]

I love that you're still trying to get even gaps when that poor vehicle is all mangled. 😄 Another great project!

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s fine haha!

[@rodnabors7364]

Solid vid, came out real good, I'm putting the same kit in right now. Couple tips I found, for anyone with a head liner still, drill a pilot hole before you do the hole saw, cut an X in the liner, that way it doesn't wad up and rip with the hole saw. Tip from another vid on welding, weld the B/C pillars onto the halo first, then pick the whole assembly up a few inches, prop it up with some 2x4s, to hit those welds on the bottom of the halo.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Good stuff right here 👍🏻

[@AnsleyBuilt]

Nice work! You should build some quarter panel armor! Might hide most of that old damage and look great

[@KendrasEdge757]

Love how the cage goes THROUGH the front quarters like that. Looks sick that way as opposed to going around them.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah it’s cleaner! I like it too

[@HellBentPuppet]

As a owner of an old jeep and an old yota Im diiging the content man keep it up!

[@ericblozis251]

Good to see you posting consistently again. Cheers from SoCal.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Cheers!

[@garylanders1470]

I like your unibody attachment mod. This does make me wonder what the difficulty of windshield replacement will be. Maybe linked front supports would do the trick?

[@machinesinc]

Came out nice, probably going to build a similar one myself here soon.

[@DaBigChimp]

The “Bruh”s when you were talking about taking off the header had me rolling

[@mikes4x4garage]

BRUH

[@johndeere8594]

Bruh I’m here for the beer. You didn’t say nothing about work.

[@skyler6133]

This is currently my favorite KZbin channel

[@mikes4x4garage]

I love you

[@skyler6133]

@@mikes4x4garage did we just become best friends

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

Do an x pattern on the rear bars in the trunk.. Thats how you build support for decking and wooden structures.

[@christophergiano2222]

Cage looks great jeep looks awesome

[@mikes4x4garage]

Ready for some thrashing

[@SarahSmith-hd8kd]

Dang inflation sucks. I paid less than 1,000$ for mine 3 years ago🤯. Best dang Hybrid cage around though!

[@grantkelsay]

Love that you're still breathing life into your XJ. What wheel and tire package are you running?

[@connermcfarland1192]

Love your video and Commitment to doing it right.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thank you!

[@UrbanOpsOffRoad]

Hell yeah dude, I was completing a job an installation on a friends XJ and wondered about yours. Keep up the good work! See you at the hammers!

[@mikes4x4garage]

Come find me!

[@UrbanOpsOffRoad]

@@mikes4x4garage for sure dude, I’ll be arriving to the lake bed Friday around 4 pm. At least that’s the goal. I plan to camp somewhere in the desert with the wife and kiddo. I’m bringing a bunch of wood!

[@beans4gas]

Good thing you replaced the windshield first!

[@mikes4x4garage]

I think I could replace it with the cage on however it would be more of a challenge for sure

[@BlueSharkRides]

I wonder if your rear would still get a little smashed above the tire with the exocage. Looks awesome though!

[@mikes4x4garage]

I’d imagine if I were to roll it would still be destroyed, however I think I would be much safer inside. That’s all I care about really

[@BlueSharkRides]

@@mikes4x4garage For sure, dents give character on crawlers haha.

[@dgreen8388]

Hell yeah! Great video as always, Jeep looks sick!

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thanks drew!

[@sandy__matt]

looks dope! nice job, don't lose too much sleep over the gaps.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah I’m not too worried

[@eduardorivera7723]

13:59 i hear band of horses - the funeral good song

[@mikes4x4garage]

Great song

[@JDMJACOB1]

Great video! Looks great! Looking for an XJ myself

[@mikes4x4garage]

Get one!!

[@russellwebb3523]

Nice job Mike!!!!

[@braniganhoran5806]

Looks sick, I'd say tie the back of the cage into the rear bumper as well. That is what I've seen done with this kit

[@mikes4x4garage]

I’ve never seen that, do you mean come down on the outside and tie in?

[@braniganhoran5806]

@@mikes4x4garage yeah right down the side with a bend in the tube to attach to the rear bumper. Maybe add an extension or something.

[@braniganhoran5806]

I guess it's probably more geared towards complete exo cages but it looks good imo

[@mikes4x4garage]

@@braniganhoran5806 yeah I will do that some day and add onto the design for sure

[@sglasgow79]

I have a 1996 2 dr XJ and this would look great on it!!!! What axles/ wheel combination are you running? That stance looks really good

[@mikes4x4garage]

Stock axles, regeared to 4.88s. 35” tires and around 5.5” of lift

[@moejr14]

Hey man Where did you place your rock lights? It lights up really well.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Hey man! I have one in each wheel well at the top, and one on each side in the middle (right under the floor pan/seat area) 6 in total. They’re perfect!

[@jgr002z6]

Time to test it out! Roll it

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yikes I’m going to try not to 😂

[@kingarthur9157]

Game for the visor if you still got it.

[@mikes4x4garage]

I’ve got it! DM me on instagram if you’re interested

[@ericnorred6280]

Could always find a good body and move your parts over to it.

[@harleygriswold7279]

Is the diy cage kit

[@jamesknowles4740]

Can you put a gutter mounted rack over that? Or just latch the rooftop tent directly to it? Building an overland xj but have a toddler

[@mikes4x4garage]

I’m sure you could put it right on top if you wanted

[@jamesknowles4740]

@@mikes4x4garage I’m definitely going to look into that I haven’t been around rtt’s much to know how they attach. I saw a kid in a fb group roll his xj a month ago and every part of the roof except where he was sitting was caved in and I decided its definitely necessary. Absolutely nuts the surgery you’ve done to keep that thing jeeping btw. Props man

[@ESB82413]

Congratulations!

[@danarmstrong7796]

Looking forward to more xj vids, have a 94 2 door I have plans for. Like the exocage, but not sure I want to cut holes in my baby.

[@mikes4x4garage]

I don’t blame you!!

[@mikes4x4garage]

However , done right it is just fine and you can still have your headliner

[@noahsimms5457]

Dude I have had the hardest time finding a windshield for my xj! Where did you get yours? thanks!

[@mikes4x4garage]

I just called the local glass place. Super cheap

[@BigTexVet]

Question, why didn’t you just buy a cheap XJ with a straight body and then swap over all the important stuff? Obviously some things can’t just be “taken off”, but it’s definitely a question I asked a few times watching your last couple of videos. But hey, this gets more views then a straight body would. 😂

[@mikes4x4garage]

Time and money is what it comes down to.

[@jimhenderson6487]

Thank you

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thank you Jim!

[@moejr14]

Hey man, did the key to come with free shipping?

[@mikes4x4garage]

The cage? It was free shipping at the time yes

[@AZ319]

RIP Harmlessfarmer 6:28

[@mikes4x4garage]

RIP.

[@xDrDeath78x]

Nicely done Mike. How much did the kit weigh?

[@mikes4x4garage]

I would say around 160#

[@allentisthammer4763]

Nice job! Looking forward to the next posting.

[@danieljohnson8437]

Missed a spot!

[@damondegrave1346]

Does anybody know what rear bumper he has

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah I do 🆗, Filthy addictions off-road

[@uh1857]

drop next video

[@packingbone1953]

What’s your full time job Mike? You are a very skilled individual.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thank you! I’m active duty coast guard.

[@angrypenguins2844]

Let me get that visor :)

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s for sale!

[@joshuanoble5333]

21:38 structurally speaking my friend. Its not an x its 4 triangles

[@pavelk554]

Santa Rosa area?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Something like that!

[@Masscatproductions]

👍

[@kronos0316]

That dude said is that illegal, breathing is illegal in California.

[@FerociousSniper]

Why do previous owners always do dumb shit?

[@Fuckyoutubecensorship1]

I'm looking to get a roll cage myself for my 1988 4.0 jeep cherokee xj 4x4 pioneer how much did yours cost???

[@mikes4x4garage]

Check out the pricing on their website but it’s around $1200~

[@Fuckyoutubecensorship1]

@@mikes4x4garage Thanks for the reply bro.

[@DooberD33]

those cages seem pointless asf

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s mostly so the Jeep doesn’t crumple on you like a beer can

[@sergiomendesvt]

Looking good, your welding is getting on point!

[@mikes4x4garage]

I’ve got some serious hours behind that welder!

[@stayve.]

Shoot, you made replacing that windshield look super easy. Maybe I’ll give it a try on my ZJ. Crack builds character tho 😂

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s not that bad! Just use the 90° razor blade tool not the wire. When you go to do it you’ll understand. Also use a lot of glue

[@SDkillaa]

Can't wait for the new Tacoma content! Found your channel a week or so ago and binged every video! Lol you're making me want to build a tube bumper and rock sliders for my 94 F150 on 35s

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thanks for watching ! Do it!

[@MrMrsregor]

why did you decide to leave out the b-pillar cross bar ?

[@mikes4x4garage]

There was no cross bar, there’s a 5 point harness bar but I’d need to bend it and notch it

[@officialWWM]

You should just cut that roof out and replace it with a clip on rag top. Now that you have a cage, you don’t need the roof for protection anyway 🤷🏻‍♂️ It would be really cool on a hot day!

[@granitesand78]

Sick cage, nice install. I’ve thought about doing it but I’m worried about water just freely running in through the holes. I’m in the PNW and have to deal with rain and snow. Have you had it in the rain yet?

[@jeffreybrown6551]

Great video! Going out to the shop to get to work on mine. I also appreciated the “lessons learned” content, very helpful!

[@InfiniteVibration]

Looks good! If you want something that looks different and probably more durable, you can try bed liner spray on the outside of the cage. This rig is looking rugged. Excited to see it in action.

[@rodneyhoadley3167]

Where I am at these things are a dime a dozen you could pull all your stuff off and put it on something with a clean body. You could buy them here for about two to $300 at a tow yard auction.

[@pauldickson1495]

Wicked cage . I went with an internal cage . Gets in the way of everything. Wish I had of went the way you did

[@joshmacneal2545]

Did you drop the tank before welding the c pillar plates?

[@camoghost9355]

bro where is ur garage i want to come hang out lol

[@user-np4fe2hq7b]

Hey bomhaur can you do a bike build

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Why the Exo Cage 🤣I wish XO-Fab made a cage for the ZJs, because I would be all over it!! Nice vid Mike 👍

[@alancasey1170]

We're can I get a viser like ?

[@williamdomey7584]

I’m sure the visor is gone. Can’t find those anywhere.

[@mikes4x4garage]

Still have it!

[@vwclub3]

Tip Should have lifted the cage to weld halo before welding it to the floor would have been ezer. Could also paint it that way 2 ..... good video

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah I agree and see that now

[@seanmacdonald8476]

Thanks for the vid! Did you end up installing the brace behind the front seats? If so are you having any issues running stock seats with it in? Gracias!!

[@myronjansen2165]

PNW? I was just looking at do fab. Their local to me.

[@mikes4x4garage]

They’re up there, I’m in Cali

[@r-oam]

Is that Clearlake CA at 20:39?!?

[@mikes4x4garage]

negative !

[@qwertasdfg8486]

😮😮😅

[@FaTaLlYiLl]

good job but please try to straighten the damage a bit better 👍

[@mikes4x4garage]

Impossible

[@沃德天.帅徳布耀布耀]

👍🏻

[@JTizz0]

Man now I want a jeep just for this cage lol

[@mikes4x4garage]

haha!

[@MileytheJeepV2]

I just wanna say welding those plates to the floor if you keep your heat in the thicker metal on stuff like that it works a lot better but still not a bad job just little things like that can make a massive difference

[@josedanielsimancasabreu6739]

very good.. what size is the tube??

[@mikes4x4garage]

Thanks! It’s 1.75” x.120 DOM

[@hotshtsr20]

Add some SFI padding to the bars near your noggin. ER trips from a minor fender bender sucks. :)

[@mikes4x4garage]

True. Though I don’t see how I could hit the ones up front 🤔

[@hotshtsr20]

@@mikes4x4garage LOL, yeah. Little hard to hit the A-pillar bars... B and C (esp that diagonal brace) on the other hand. :)

[@rippinfreshies782]

Dude, this thing looks amazing 😍

[@lancekreuger6810]

Want to sell the visor you took off?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Sure dm on my instagram

[@ukeacreator93]

My ocd was kinda hoping he would fix the wrinkled cab properly

[@mikes4x4garage]

gives it more character

[@ukeacreator93]

@@mikes4x4garage for sure , changed my mind when I seen it finished

[@MigueMax1000]

Nice a sponsored video

[@mikes4x4garage]

Sorta!

[@evanhaglund7464]

Will the tire hit the extended rock slider when articulating?

[@antoniocoffee5800]

where did you get the window visor on the front? it looks so sick i want one

[@devdoesitbest6974]

This takes the *"tis but a scratch"* meme to a while to level

[@96kylar]

Looks rad. Well done.

[@Paul_the_carpenter]

Great video man! Can't wait to see what else you'll put out!

[@slwnldmedia]

If I need anything welded im coming to you!

[@CB-hr6zs]

Awesome video man keep the content coming

[@sanddabs159]

Now I see why the visor was for sale. Looks good

[@berserkir]

Did he change the channels name? Or am I imagining things?

[@mikes4x4garage]

You’re imagining !

[@berserkir]

@@mikes4x4garage Too weird, I always think of you as the Tacoma guy. Guess I didn't look at the channel name when I subbed a year ago 🤣😂

[@MrDan1509]

Did you trade the Ford in for a newer Chevy?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Nope! Just a friends truck.

[@MrDan1509]

@@mikes4x4garage I thought maybe so when i seen him chilling before he started welding! For those tight spots you should pick up a stick welder if ya don't have one. Those rods can be bent all different ways to get a job done. The cage turned out awesome, nice job!

[@Timw00d13]

Mike what welder do you use?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Hey Tim! It’s a titanium 170 from Harbor freight. Runs on 240v and it’s gas Mig. Absolutely no complaints about it and I’ve ran about 50lbs of Wire through it

[@Timw00d13]

@@mikes4x4garage sick! Yea need to start learning because I need to stop buying Jeeps and not knowing how to weld lol. Plus it seems like the one you use works great!

[@valenzuelahayez4076]

Where’s the 3rd gen!!?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Sold!

[@mikes4x4garage]

I explained it in a previous video

[@uh1857]

Jeep looks good

[@semperliberi]

Let's gooooo!

[@timothymcglade105]

🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@NoRodnoReel]

3rd

[@davidnelson3720]

Why not weld the holes up instead of flex steal. Just wondering?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Laziness I guess