NEW EVO Sport Cage for Rubicat - TONS OF PHOTOS

[wayoflife]

EVO MFG Chromoly Sport Cage : 2011-2017 Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited

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As much as Cindy and I really love all the interior changes that Jeep made to 2011-2017 Jeep JK Wranglers, there was one aspect of them that we were never too fond of and that's the elevated center stack on the dash. To be clear, it wasn't the way it looked that was an issue but rather, how much higher it sat compared to a 2007-10 JK. Specifically, the problem was that when you installed a typical sport cage dash bar, it would have to sit that much higher up and reduce forward visibility that much more. At 5'-7", I found that I could deal with it but for Cindy who's only 5'-4", it always proved to be a problem even with the seat cranked all the way up. Needless to say, when EVO MFG came out with their new high visibility sport cage made out of laser cut, CNC press brake formed and fully fixture welded out of 4130 chromoly steel, we were eager to install one in Rubicat and test it out.

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Shot of Rubicat at EVO MFG getting ready to have her new sport cage installed.

Here a shot of the new EVO C-pillar replacement cross bar being installed.

What the cross bar looks like installed. Please note, the additional tabs you see on either end are for our Bestop Trek top.

Drilling and getting ready to install the EVO sport cage A-pillar supports which are designed to be bolted up to the front door sill pinch seams and run all the way to the top of the windshield adding strength and rigidity along the A-pillars.

Installing the high-visibility dash crossbar to the reinforced and gusset A-pillar supports.

Here you can see the factory header bar being installed.

Here are a few after shots that we took inside our garage so that you could see the details of it better. First up, an overall shot across the dash looking up.

Here you can see how both the driver side and passenger side sun visors clear the optional grab handles and can still be used with ease.

Close up shot of the optional grab handle.

Here you can see what the multi-faceted and reinforced A-pillar supports look like.

From the driver side looking straight up at the forward cross bar.

Shots from the inside looking forward out the window.

Closer shot looking forward and out from the driver side seat.

Here you can see the opening on the dash bar for the tweeter pod.

Looking up at the sound bar and forward and rear cross bars.

The bottom plate on the forward cross bar with the EVO laser cut out of it can be removed for installation of a CB radio.

Standing above Rubicat and looking down at the EVO sport cage.

And, here a few shots of what everything looks like outside and under the sun.

I hope the photos above are helpful to those looking into the EVO Sport Cage. For those of you who are interested, Cindy and I did film the installation of it and we will be releasing a video highlighting it soon.

For more information about this sport cage, please click on the link below:
EVO MFG 2011+ JEEP JKU CHROMOLY SPORT CAGE W/ REAR BAR

 

[Mikecal9985]

This thing looks amazing!!! Very nice!!


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[GraniteCrystal]

Can anyone post a side by side pic comparison of Evo vs RH from the drivers seat? If Evo markets as high visibility, I'd like to see just how much the difference is.

 

[wayoflife]

Can anyone post a side by side pic comparison of Evo vs RH from the drivers seat? If Evo markets as high visibility, I'd like to see just how much the difference is.

Unfortunately, it's hard to get a camera lens to capture what your eyes physically see sitting where you like to sit in your Jeep.

 

[cozdude]

I really need to see this cage in person. I'm sure pics don't do it justice at all for how much better you can see.

 

[rampagejk]

Thank you for sharing this one. I wonder if someone already test with roll over with this new EVO Sport Cage and how it was safe compare to RH? Change the subject I would like to have some more information how did you put fridge on rear seat since I saw picture of your fridge. I tried to find more information in this forum. I would not find one.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[wayoflife]

I really need to see this cage in person. I'm sure pics don't do it justice at all for how much better you can see.

I should note that it's not just the dash bar that give you more visibility but also the A-pillar supports and grab bars. They're tucked in and out of the way like interior trim and maybe it's just me but I now feel like we have a wider window as well.

 

[upnover]

How much different are the front pinch seam holes from the RH cage? Does this replace the bar the sound bar attaches to?

From your pictures, I would have gone this route over the RH.

 

[wayoflife]

How much different are the front pinch seam holes from the RH cage? Does this replace the bar the sound bar attaches to?

From your pictures, I would have gone this route over the RH.

This was definitely a concern of ours being that we already had a RH cage installed. Fortunately, the holes are measurably off and not a problem.

 

[wayoflife]

Okay, it's not perfect but Cindy was able to find a couple of pics that are pretty close and kinda show the difference between what we had before versus what we have now. Even looking at the photos now, it's nowhere near what it really looks like when you sit in our Jeep but it's something you can chew on.

Before

After

Hope this helps give you an idea of things.

 

[upnover]

Thats good to know.

If someone has the RH cage, but likes the B and C pillar EVO replacements, do you think it would all work together?

I am sure the EVO replacements are more stout than the factory stuff.

 

[cozdude]

Okay, it's not perfect but Cindy was able to find a couple of pics that are pretty close and kinda show the difference between what we had before versus what we have now. Even looking at the photos now, it's nowhere near what it really looks like when you sit in our Jeep but it's something you can chew on.

Before

After

Hope this helps give you an idea of things.

Wow ok now I see what your talking about with the window feeling normal and wider again. You can also see how the dash bar is in fact lower. Good find Cindy!!!

 

[wayoflife]

Wow ok now I see what your talking about with the window feeling normal and wider again. You can also see how the dash bar is in fact lower. Good find Cindy!!!

It's kinda like going from a standard 4:3 television to 16:9 wide screen. In some ways, it's almost what I noticed more right off the bat but then, I'm a bit taller than Cindy.

 

[wayoflife]

Thats good to know.

If someone has the RH cage, but likes the B and C pillar EVO replacements, do you think it would all work together?

I am sure the EVO replacements are more stout than the factory stuff.

I don't see any reason why you couldn't use the EVO C-pillar cross bar replacement or the B pillar support plates with a RH cage.

 

[GraniteCrystal]

Perfect. Thanks for the pics Eddie. Good find by Cindy

 

[VeruGE*144]

Wow that is a ton of pictures. Thank you, I am actually considering this cage. [emoji108]


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[WiscoHR]

Thanks for all the photos. It's great to finally see this cage from some different angles.


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[RESURECTIONJK]

What mods did you have to make to the trektop door surrounds if any? I have the RH cage in mine and after seeing how much better the visibility is I'm really considering it.


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[TriggaHappy]

This is one tough looking build! Love the color combo and the new sport cage looks great. How do you like the grab handles on it versus the RH placement?


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[RSQCON]

Other than the grab handles it the Evo cages doesn't appear to give you significantly better visibility. The biggest question that has not been addressed is how the Evo cage will hold up in an accident. The Rock Hard has been proven time and again. It would be nice to see if Evo has done any computer modeling or actual crash testing.