I've had my 78 CJ7 for nearly 15 years and it's still got the stock rollbar.  I don't weld/bend tubes, etc.  Any suggestions for improving on the stock bar and putting safety first?  

Had hoped to pick up some info from Project Hatari, but they skipped the rollbar construction and, well, that's one ugly bar.  Doesn't extend to the windshield either, which I'd like for some reason.

Kits vs. local weleders?  
Full cage vs. trail bar?  
Price ranges?
Frame vs. body mount?  (I think I all but decided body when I read the fellow who wrote, "If the body comes off, which piece do you want to stay with?"
Learn to weld?

Thanks.

I replaced the stock rollbar in my '82 CJ7 with a full cage, which extends forward and around the windsheild. I bought it about 10 years ago from a shop in N. Calif. that no longer exists. I was glad to find a source close to where I live. It is not easy to find pre-made roll cages; maybe a liability issue.  You might need to find a tube bender-welder. Anyway, I highly recommend one. Mine bolts directly to the floor, and I have successfully tested it (unintentionally). I got sideways on a sand dune at Pismo Beach, CA. and rolled (4 times, according to on-looklers) down to the bottom. The cage did its job well. The front portion also kept the windsheild and frame undamaged. Hope you find one!

hey,

I got a 79 cj7, and I for a long time have been wanting to do the same thing to my jeep.  while back i went to a local race car fabrication shop and got a quote from them, it was about 800.  I wasnt ready to drop that on the car, and I had many other things to focus on like keeping it running.  So I actually ended up taking and internship at the shop and learned a bit of welding and watched some pipe bending.  But best of all i made some friends, the mechanics, they're great guys. Now I can ocasional use the lift to work on my car.  becoming an 'okay' isn't that hard but if u have to buy a welder that will also be pricey.

Smity built still makes a cage kit that welds to the factory roll bar, I just purchased one for my 68 CJ-5 and had it welded in at a weld shop, cost for the kit from 4wheel parts wholesale outlet was $129.00 and cost me another $ 50.00 to get it installed. Looks great and gives you that comfy feeling