Probably the most expensive but I think the best cage is Xtreme.

Chromoly, tig welded, boxed B pillar, double A pillar, intrusion bars etc.

I have been in a dozen or more off road shops. Not one even close to as sophisticated as these guys.

They build off road cars for the military and spec ops guys so photos are limited of the shop.

The shop is amazing, the level quality is the highest I've ever seen.

Tim

Can-Am X3 - Extreme Chromoly Roll Cage

Extreme desert style cage is completely constructed from 4130 chromoly tubing, that’s not only stronger but lighter than other steel typically used for roll cages. 100% Chromoly fabricated in California, USA 1.75” diameter .083 wall chromoly tubing All tigged welded Integrated V-Brace intrusion...

extremeperformance1.com

 

1. Diagonal tubes are extremely important in any chassis and cage design.
The triangle is the strongest mechanical structure, and trusses are used extensively in building and bridge construction.
Look for at least a big X or V in the roof.

A ^ in the "rear window area" can prevent racking of the cage. Racking is side impact displacement like this /=/ front view.
The rear window ^ can tie into and land right above the rear shock mount, and meet in the middle at the top.

2. Intrusion bars are just that.
They don't add much structurally because they are so laid back like the A pillars, and they don't extend to the floor.
They do help some with racking.
The best way to support the front of the roof is with a vertical tube from the center of the upper windshield tube to the floor tubes.
A secondary A pillar tube is beneficial in the same way.

3. A boxed B pillar is mostly cake decorating. Two tubes in a V shape would be better.
The second basic Fabwerx picture could have a V tube at the B pillar and would be stronger.

4. Skip the windshield IMO.

5. The "bars that shock rezi’s mount on" are not C pillars. They are completely non-structural and dead end into the plastic bed.
Only the four seater has a C pillar.

 

Windshield is pretty nice for half the country.

 

Check out this company. They have a fairly good WIY cage for the money.
The tube layout and junctions are very good, with little room for improvement.
I think LSK is the manufacturer, but I have seen it on other sites.
They also have a radius version.

Can-Am X3 2 Seat Flat Cage

 

Hate to break it to ya but the Fabwerx isn’t gonna work for you. Arguably one of the strongest and best looking cages, but at 6'5" you'll have a serious headache. I could barely fit in mine at 6'0" with a pumper helmet and Simpson seats in lowest position.

 

I bought a CageWRX kit and modified it. I actually raised the "B" pillars so my helmet would never hit any tubes. I also copied the Extreme Performance design by adding extra "A" pillars. I also tied the rear of the cage into the frame by making the "C" pillars attach to the frame. Hopeful, I never need to use it.

 

We have S3’s cage and have seen it used several times and held up well.

 

So I’m going with a local fab shop for a cage build. Going from the stock 1.875 tubes to 1.75, what do I need for my shock rezi mounts? Rubber spacer? Grind down the flat surface of the clamp and tighten it down? New clamps? Something else?

By the way, I have seizmik photon mirrors and I emailed them letting them know I’m changing cages. They are sending me new clamps. Just a quick shout out for great customer service.

 

Remember to tell them to weld in some tabs for whips, antenna, chase light, etc.

 

One thing to consider…….if you will have a metal roof on your custom cage, mount the antenna in the center of the roof for best performance with the roof acting as a ground plane. Tab mounting only if the the roof is going to be plastic. Your radio will thank you !

 

How bout if its aluminum? I mounted my antenna with a bar clamp when I had a plastic roof. I think I recall reading that it wasn’t worth it to plane mount on aluminum, but I am not certain. That was a few years ago.

 

Aluminum works just as well as any other conductive or reflective metallic material. Your antenna will work better with a ground plane.

 

Thad at Faberwerx has some good deals on cages. I think he builds one of the nicest cages for the X3, but I am bias because I have one of his cages and have used him for other cages.

 

Had a change in plans. My local guy broke his foot and is backed up for a while. Thad from Fabwerx got back to me today and was able to fulfill all my requests. 3” taller than his normal cage, so about the same as stock or slightly taller, getting the boxed B pillars (my personal favorite feature/design of their cage), tilted whip tabs and tabs on A pillars for BD pods (XL80 or LP4’s) and powder coated in my custom color. They will be installing it for me on my way to Glamis (from nor Cal) toward the end of the month. Super excited.

 

Not sure if they fixed the picture issue but figured I’d update and complete this cage thread. I love how it turned out and got a couple extra surprises in the end. I wasn’t expecting the lower windshield deflector and the B pillars are a new design. Not sure if they are going to stay that way for the taller cages but I like that’s it’s a little unique for now. Looks like the pic issue is still ongoing but I’ll try again later.

 

Glad he got it all done for you. Interested to see how the taller cage and new b-pillars look.

Hope the picture thing gets sorted out. We want to see.

 

It's very important to make the the rear cage and bumper one piece like this. Because x3 rears wad up when they land on the rear a more than few times. Window nets are a good idea. Trailing arm reenforcement kits. I had the front end reenforcemt kit and a pretty strong front end covering bumper crash bar. Both of my trailing arms are bent and it required cutting the rear cage down tubes and pulling out the rear in the muffler mount area.

 

Glad he got it all done for you. Interested to see how the taller cage and new b-pillars look.

Hope the picture thing gets sorted out. We want to see.

Glad he got it all done for you. Interested to see how the taller cage and new b-pillars look.

Hope the picture thing gets sorted out. We want to see.

 

bump for pics

 

Sorry. Thought I posted them already. Super happy with the way it turned out. Need to get some lights for the a pillars now. Can’t decide between BD XL80 or LP4

 

Very sharp cage.

Tim

 

I just did my cage and relocated the LP4s back down low. I am most pleased with the wide spread of light for maneuvering. I hope this helps with your selection.