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How much does the cab flex relative to the chassis? What are the consequences of bracing the back of the cab? I’ll start with the disclaimer that I am not building a proper roll cage – I’m approaching this as a “cab saver” that could probably save my life in a pinch. This means that there are compromises from structural “ideals” in the name of aesthetics. Here are my requirements: Minimal “verticals” to sit outboard of the body. Bed will be in the factory position (I am open to a < 1/2” adjustment rearward by slotting the bolt holes on the chassis side.) Bed will have a tonneau cover; no pass throughs into the bed. My solution for the rear is a lower support structure fabricated from .188” wall 2x1 rec tubing. This will sandwich between the cab and the bed and provide “perches” below the rear glass for the tubular cage. It will tie into my tube rockers and the top of the frame rails. What I can't decide is if I should I weld this structure to the back of the cab, or leave it freestanding. I'm prone to weld it, but should I worry about inducing some kind of stress elsewhere? In a "lean against a a tree" scenario, am I asking to bust the glass out? At full flex, will the welds to the rockers and the frame be stressed and crack?