Sounds like it didnt fit very tight to the A pillars or the windshield.I'm not too worried about the back seat I might end up putting a fuel cell back there
My 2 cents is if your going that deep and need it to fit as tightly as youve described find a fab shop and get a cage made.
Picture is from before it was welded in.
Mine fits as tight as it needs to.
No A pillar bar or door bar.
Tight enough on the sides to where I'm barely able to get the metal side panels installed.
Bar padding is compressed hard against headliner at turn.
