Just dropped off my Rock Hard cage at the powdercoaters!
05-19-2009, 10:58 AM
#1
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
Just dropped off my Rock Hard cage at the powdercoaters!
That's right, I just got my Rock Hard sport cage last night and I dropped it off this morning to get powdercoated. I'll post some pics of it installed once I get it back next week.
is there an echo in here? 
05-19-2009, 11:09 AM
#3
JK Super Freak
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05-19-2009, 11:25 AM
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JK Super Freak
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA
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05-19-2009, 11:30 AM
#5
JK Super Freak
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Hmmmmmmm.......maybe my bumpers are next............
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05-30-2009, 08:06 PM
#10
JK Super Freak
Thread Starter
So, rover1301 and PAHUNTER21 both came over last night to help me install the cage. My hat goes off to both of them, especially rover1301 who was out in my garage with me until almost 2:30am finishing the installation. 
I also want to thank ColinW for his write-up on the installation....https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/rock-hard-4x4-jk-sports-cage-installation-40988/. It was very helpful in picking out some of the finer details that the instructions leave out.
In all, it took about 6hrs to install it from start to 'almost' finish. This inlcuded at least a combined total of 3hrs (out of the 6) of BSing as we took advantage of having 3 guys that love Jeeps.....talk about Jeeps. There was a good chunk of time spent by PAHUNTER21 and myself having to re-tap the 36+ holes since the powdercoating filled in the threads not so nicely.
Some of the other snags we ran into, including why above I say 'almost' finish, inlcude the drill template not necessarily showing you exactly where you need to punch and drill for the holes that fasten the outer vertical bars to the dash. We were very lucky on the driver's side as I found each of the 3 holes perfectly. As for the passenger side, let's just say it took alot of trial and error including having to install, take off, install, take off, install, etc the outer bar. Also to note, in ColinW's write-up, he mentions how he had to use a ratcheting strap in order to pull the driver's bar in far enough for the top 2 bolts to line up with the OEM holes that were already there. I assume he was doing the install by himself with no help, as my cage had the same problem but with rover1301 pushing inward and me pulling and threading the bolts, we were able to overcome the misalignment in a matter of minutes. In fact, the driver's side bar took maybe 30 minutes to install.
The other only PITA part of the install was the bar that goes across the top of the windshiled along with the bar that goes from the speakerbar to that top winshield bar. Contrary to what the product description says from Rock Hard, the Freedom top panels may be compatible but it IS NOT a plug & play process. There's a pin on the Freedom top panels that must align with a hole in the horizontal OEM bars that go from the B pillar to the windshield. Unfourtunately, that upper winshield bar from Rock Hard has the attachment collars right up against where the pin goes in. As well the collars are very thick and even without the pin problem, they do not let the panels fit flush and therefore must be trimmed extensively to actually allow the panels to work as designed. I am going to call Rock Hard on Monday to see if they have better instructions for the trimming before I go and dremmel out my $2K hard top.
I also think it looks great without putting the OEM roll bar padding back on. You'll see in my pictures below what I mean.
So all in all, I am EXTREMELY happy with this cage and would recommend it to anyone. I paid $480 + tax for the cage brand new from 4wheel Parts and then another $69 to have it powdercoated.
So now on to the show................
How the box looked after I got it home (the smaller white box is my Rock Hard license plate relocation bracket):
What was inside the box as I inventoried it and dropped it off at the powdercoaters:
What it looked like when I got it back from the powdercoaters:
A few 'before' interior pics:
And the finsihed product, sans the middle bar being completely attached since I still needed to move it around a bit while I trimmed the Freedom Top panels:
I also want to thank ColinW for his write-up on the installation....https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-write-ups-39/rock-hard-4x4-jk-sports-cage-installation-40988/. It was very helpful in picking out some of the finer details that the instructions leave out.
In all, it took about 6hrs to install it from start to 'almost' finish. This inlcuded at least a combined total of 3hrs (out of the 6) of BSing as we took advantage of having 3 guys that love Jeeps.....talk about Jeeps. There was a good chunk of time spent by PAHUNTER21 and myself having to re-tap the 36+ holes since the powdercoating filled in the threads not so nicely.
Some of the other snags we ran into, including why above I say 'almost' finish, inlcude the drill template not necessarily showing you exactly where you need to punch and drill for the holes that fasten the outer vertical bars to the dash. We were very lucky on the driver's side as I found each of the 3 holes perfectly. As for the passenger side, let's just say it took alot of trial and error including having to install, take off, install, take off, install, etc the outer bar. Also to note, in ColinW's write-up, he mentions how he had to use a ratcheting strap in order to pull the driver's bar in far enough for the top 2 bolts to line up with the OEM holes that were already there. I assume he was doing the install by himself with no help, as my cage had the same problem but with rover1301 pushing inward and me pulling and threading the bolts, we were able to overcome the misalignment in a matter of minutes. In fact, the driver's side bar took maybe 30 minutes to install.
The other only PITA part of the install was the bar that goes across the top of the windshiled along with the bar that goes from the speakerbar to that top winshield bar. Contrary to what the product description says from Rock Hard, the Freedom top panels may be compatible but it IS NOT a plug & play process. There's a pin on the Freedom top panels that must align with a hole in the horizontal OEM bars that go from the B pillar to the windshield. Unfourtunately, that upper winshield bar from Rock Hard has the attachment collars right up against where the pin goes in. As well the collars are very thick and even without the pin problem, they do not let the panels fit flush and therefore must be trimmed extensively to actually allow the panels to work as designed. I am going to call Rock Hard on Monday to see if they have better instructions for the trimming before I go and dremmel out my $2K hard top.
I also think it looks great without putting the OEM roll bar padding back on. You'll see in my pictures below what I mean.
So all in all, I am EXTREMELY happy with this cage and would recommend it to anyone. I paid $480 + tax for the cage brand new from 4wheel Parts and then another $69 to have it powdercoated.
So now on to the show................
How the box looked after I got it home (the smaller white box is my Rock Hard license plate relocation bracket):
What was inside the box as I inventoried it and dropped it off at the powdercoaters:
What it looked like when I got it back from the powdercoaters:
A few 'before' interior pics:
And the finsihed product, sans the middle bar being completely attached since I still needed to move it around a bit while I trimmed the Freedom Top panels: