so i decided to chop 4.5" out of my cage. one because it looks soo much better (imo) and two so it fit better in my enclosed trailer (used to catch the top of the door). this is a 2016 900 XC. i have aftermarket 5 point harnesses, so i cut the B pillar at the factory seat belt mount where it is the straightest. i also had installed the factory rear cage tie ins as well so that made it a bit more interesting.

i got a 24" length of 1.5" OD .120 wall CREW Tube. i cut it into 4 – 6" pieces. it is what i have read others have used and it does fit nicely inside the stock cage as a sleeve. i measured and marked the 4.5" on the cage at the 4 points i wanted to remove the tube. i drilled holes threw the factory cage 1" above the cuts for plug welds, to hold the sleeve in place while i worked the cage back together.

i used a few ratchet straps to coax it back down and into place, as well as loosened (but do not remove) the front cage bolts. the sleeve helped because once i got the top slid over it it acted as a guide to pull it down and line up the two halves. **also remember to disconnect your battery before performing any weld work on your machine.
i did not heat and or bend any of the tubes. you could if you really want it to go easier and line up perfectly but i just muscled it into place as best as i cared it to be and clamped it before i welded.

over all i think it came out great. took me just over 2 hours to complete. im happy with the end result, only thing i would have done differently would be to have done this sooner hahaha thanks for looking hope this helps with your decision. well worth it.