Structural quality question

[Ratbert]

Looking at the main structure of the JL reminds me of cars from the 30’s. Full frame with a rigid square box for the body. I remember video clips where the cars were rolled upside down(body intact), put back upright, and driven away.

I've seen lots of videos of Wranglers being uprighted and driven off. They seem to be pretty damn durable.

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[Reinen]

I've seen lots of videos of Wranglers being uprighted and driven off. They seem to be pretty damn durable.

Yeah, the question is never the integrity of vehicle but rather where the oil went in the inverted engine before it was turned off.

FYI, everyone. If you're upside down turn the engine off immediately.

 

[Whaler27]

I'll try this again, general question without regard to legalities and liabilities. I've had Jeeps as old as a 1946 CJ2a and my newest one was a 1997 Wrangler. Currently I own a 1958 CJ5. I'm thinking about buying a new Wrangler. I'm not a fan of the whole "sport cage" thing but I understand it is engineered into the design. My question pertains to the rest of the Jeep. Aside from the airbags and belts, in a t-bone situation (without rollover), has the Jeep body and frame structure been constant, improved, or decreased? Does that cage provide any extra strength at the point of impact? Has the addition of the cage allowed for a decrease in weight/integrity for the frame and body?

I’m on my 8th Jeep Cj/TJ/JK/JL in 49 years, with the first 4 being CJs with marginally effective roll bars. When I first saw the “cage” in a production jeep I didn’t much like the look, but now I don’t notice it at all. (You might try looking through the threads on jeep 2-door pictures… lots of beauties there. Maybe that will soften the cage-fright for you.)

For me, the cage is no longer a prominent part of the look, and it‘s mighty handy too. (I run my jeep topless in the summer. I have strapped all kinds of stuff across those bars, from kayaks and kids toys to sprinkler pipe. The grab handles that mount above the doors have been handy too.)

And of course the cage adds to the structural strength of the passenger compartment. Is it “necessary”? For me, yes! I’m sure a cage-less JL would still be safer than its 1940s and 50s counterparts, but if people I care about will ever ride in the jeep, I’d be an idiot to intentionally diminish its strength.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

Let's try it again after cutting out the high-strength steel segment above the rear seat!

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