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Before
I begin, I want to clarify, that use of the word "cage"
throughout this article simply pertains to the addition of
a front hoop to the stock TJ sport bar. Many variations of
"cage" exist, and the word "cage" does
not mean that the product is a safety device.
Why do
people want to put full cages into their Jeeps? To most, a
full cage is installed as a safety feature, while to others,
it is to be eye candy that seemingly denotes ruggedness.
The "cage"
we are looking at here is designed and manufactured by Challenger
Performance Products; the same company that brought you the
functional Alumi-Flex Tie Rod. We will see if this product
is a safety feature, a cosmetic accessory, or something else
altogether.
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The Challenger
Performance Sport Bar, which I will continue to refer to as
a "cage", arrived thoughtfully packaged. In many
cases in this industry, one can judge the quality and attention
to detail of a product by how well it was packaged and shipped.
It took me many minutes of sifting through foam and plastic,
and the pieces were in pristine condition.
The kit
came with instructions, fasteners, side bars, a cross bar,
and two optional spreader bars with ends. All components had
been powder-coated black. I took those components that I wanted
to install to a local body shop to have them painted to match
the Jeep.
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First,
I had to prepare the TJ to install the new cage. This involved
putting the top down, removing the side bars and lowering the
windshield. It is a very easy and self-explanatory process.
Have your Torx tools ready, because there's plenty of 'em! Once
the side bars are removed, the ends of the side bars have to
be taken off so they can be re-used with the new side bars.
They are secured by a tamper-proof Torx head bolt. The well-equipped
among you may have the necessary tool. If you don't, the bolt
head is large enough to easily turn it off with Vice-Grips,
or channel locks. |
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To remove
the windshield wiper arms, angle them outward and press the
sliding clip down with a flathead screwdriver. They slide
right off.
After
the TJ was ready, I assembled the cage, and then fit it into
position by myself. It was cumbersome, but not overly difficult.
A standard hex bolt provided in the kit replaces the tamper-proof
Torx bolt. You must unscrew the three Torx bolts on either
side of your dash, and replace them when the cage plate overlaps.
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