PVC pipe roll cage / roof enclosure

[Lazy cruiser]

So feel free to tell me if you think this is a bad idea. I have been kicking around the idea to build my own roll cage out of PVC pipe. Keep in mind I'm not building it for strength. This is only for looks and so I can have a more custom look. I will paint it black after it's constructed. Has anyone tried this?

[LVCJ]

Check out this thread. This guy took it a little farther than just a roll cage......

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/side-...pvc-buggy.html

[Lazy cruiser]

Originally Posted by LVCJ

Check out this thread. This guy took it a little farther than just a roll cage......

http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/side-...pvc-buggy.html

Wow you aren't kidding. I guess if he can do that I should be able to build a roll cage.

[scottyb]

I think PVC and roll cage should not be allowed in the same sentence

Perhaps PVC canopy support or frame might be a more accurate description

[Lochlin]

One of my carts is a Club Car called a "Pathway" that was a joint project with GM to configure a standard golf cart for road use. They had horns, seat belts, windshield wipers, eye level third brake lights, etc. on them. For roll over protection, these carts have legit roll bars that connect to the frame. The pic is stock and not my cart (which is 100 miles away at the moment) but you can kinda see the roll bar going into the body in a few places. It's different. I think they are cool looking though. Mine has a lift and some 22 inchers on it. It looks rugged that's for sure.

[Lazy cruiser]

Originally Posted by scottyb

I think PVC and roll cage should not be allowed in the same sentence

Perhaps PVC canopy support or frame might be a more accurate description

I agree. LOL

[Lazy cruiser]

Originally Posted by Lochlin

One of my carts is a Club Car called a "Pathway" that was a joint project with GM to configure a standard golf cart for road use. They had horns, seat belts, windshield wipers, eye level third brake lights, etc. on them. For roll over protection, these carts have legit roll bars that connect to the frame. The pic is stock and not my cart (which is 100 miles away at the moment) but you can kinda see the roll bar going into the body in a few places. It's different. I think they are cool looking though. Mine has a lift and some 22 inchers on it. It looks rugged that's for sure.

Yeah that does look cool. My worry is that the "canopy cage" will look more rugged than the on road look I'm going for. Who knows.... maybe I will lift it.

[scottyb]

Originally Posted by Lazy cruiser

Yeah that does look cool. My worry is that the "canopy cage" will look more rugged than the on road look I'm going for. Who knows.... maybe I will lift it.

I agree for a street look I think sleek design.
The clunkiness of a PVC coupler stops resemblance of sleek.

[Rickochet]

PVC has it's uses but can be limited. I have a short roof and flip seat. Only one vendor at the time had a driving enclosure for 4 seater with short roof. So I made a pvc frame that supported the longer 4 seater enclosure. All of my joints are covered by the enclosure. Something I noticed was even after being properly prepped and glued I had joints coming loose do to wind and flex. I ended up putting a pop rivet in each joint. Note the the bends in the upright. I used thinwall 3/4" PVC and "washed" the area with a heat gun. A bud could tell when it was soft enough to bend. You have to work quickly. I later painted the frame black.

[Lazy cruiser]

Originally Posted by scottyb

I agree for a street look I think sleek design.
The clunkiness of a PVC coupler stops resemblance of sleek.

Yes I agree the only way to keep it sleek would be to avoid using couplers. My brother and I just talked about how to build it without them.