I own a 96 f-150 single cab and I'm wanting to build my own roll bar for it. I want to build a double-single on top of tire wells, what size tubin do I need?

 

I'd go 2" tubing myself

 

I think the manufactured ones are at least 3" if not 4".

 

1 3/4" or 2" used to be the standards. Then 2" or 3" seemed to be the options later. Personally I'd go with 2". The 1 3/4" looks pretty wimpy while the 3" looks too big to me.

 

Wait.. Are you wanting a roll bar or a headache rack?

 

I'm wanting a roll bar

 

If you don't have a tubing bender, an exhaust shop could probably make you one. I'd go with 3 1/2 inch.

 

The roll bar I have in the backyard for a short bed Fseries is 3 1/2". It is a KC roll bar so it is manufactured.
Trav

 

Not if he wants it to have any sort of strength behind it. Exhaust pipe is weak... drop a piece on the ground and it gets a flat spot in it.

Now if it's just for looks... then yeah use whatever you want.

 

An exhaust shop MIGHT be able to bend thicker wall DOM tubing if you supplied it. But I wouldn't be sure their equipment would be up to that either.

 

That's what I meant. Most guys just get a roll bar to mount lights or just for appearance.

 

Yes I am wanting for looks and I intend to put light on it, but I also want it to be tough

 

I just built a full partial exo cage for my f150.
I used red band 2 3/8 oilfield pipe and 2"weld in fittings which are 2 3/8 o.d.
Put some 4 inch channel iron under your box just behind the front crossmember of the box and another behind the 2nd crossmember.

My cage is extremely tough.
Redband 2 3/8 pipe is schedule 40 from what I have heard.

 

I don't know anything about "red band oilfield pipe" But the rule is to never use pipe for a roll cage or other structural uses, but to use steel tubing. Not sure of the exact reasons or the relative strength ratings. My guess is that pipe doesn't have the ductility and is more likely to break rather than bend in an impact.

 

ROLL bar or a bar to mount lights?

A HUGE difference

This is a LIGHT bar
Go RhinoŽ - Mazda B-Series 1986-1993 Bed Bars

This is a ROLL bar
S&W-11-3581 Ford 92-96 F150 & Lightning Pickup Truck 10 Point Roll Cage 1 5/8"