windshield stiffner/brace

[socofn]

I need some advice. I have searched and not found what I am looking for. What are you using if you do not have a full cage and have the hard top off to stiffen up your windshield. I have found a couple of products (http://www.bcbroncos.com/store/product_ ... ts_id=2067), but they are kind of pricey. Your ideas and help are greatly apperciated. Jayson

[Kinder]

I guess I never really worried about it flexing much, but I have doors w/window frames and run a soft-top (which provides a small amount of pressure on the frame) most of the time. When I put a full cage in I'll probably run some small anchors just to tie it in. What year is your rig, are you running w/out door window frames and are you currently experiencing any significant flex? The products you've linked to are the only thing like that I've seen, they seem reasonable. You could try to make something yourself, just make sure it isn't too rigid since the Bronco body flexes under normal off road conditions.

[Shawns Fords]

You know you could make some metal braces yourself fairly cheap if you have your rear roll bar. I would get some flat metal stock and make some tabs for each end and fit it all up. If that makes any sense?

[socofn]

I have a 74 with the original bar in it. I will have my soft top inplace shortly. I have thought about using flat stock and was wondering what everyone else was using without a full cage. Thanks for the reply. Jayson

[Entourage]

Hopefully Cortez will post up his solution. Hint - he used heims.

[PonyCorral]

Try these from Wildhorses an August Special...Plus they are $20 less!
http://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Wi ... Bars_Cages

[socofn]

I only have the bar behind the seat and not a full cage. Jayson

[PonyCorral]

Sorry, I mis read your original post!

[socofn]

No problem pony. I think I have a solution and will post up my "southern enginered solution" once I work it out on wensday. Jayson

[Friday]

I made some out of 1/2 in square stock, welded nuts on the ends and use heim joints one RH threaded one LFT hand on each. I also welded some tabs on the roll bar. I have the standard 4pt. roll bar. I still need to weld some tabs to my windshield riser but it's aluminum and I can't tig weld yet. My hard top is still on so I'm in no big hurry! here are some pictures.

photo.jpg

photo-1.jpg

[Entourage]

Friday - that is better than anything from the part stores. I haven't seen Cortez's yet, but I am thinking it is very similar.

[Kinder]

Those turned out nice, I see a new product in your future.

[socofn]

Friday, those look nice.
I wound up using a couple of channel braces I had from an old toneau cover. I cut them down to size and drilled a hole in one end and cut the sides off about 3 inches. I then took a piece of scrap pipe with some round in it and welded a 3 inch tab on it with holes drilled in it. I attached the pipe piece to the top bar with clamps. So far it has worked okay. I still have some fine tunning to do. I will post up pictures once I the wife lets me have the camera. Jayson

[Friday]

Thanks for the compliments! Honestly, I wish they were on the bronco doing their job.