Rockers/Sliders

[Wildland Outdoors]

So while talking rigs today I took a look at my rockers and it looks like they maybe starting to rust through. If this is the case I am thinking about cutting them out completely and welding some 2x6 rectangular steel in their place. Taking care of the rocker issue, strengthening the subframe and providing some solid sliders. Anyone done anything like this before?

 

[Lars]

So while talking rigs today I took a look at my rockers and it looks like they maybe starting to rust through. If this is the case I am thinking about cutting them out completely and welding some 2x6 rectangular steel in their place. Taking care of the rocker issue, strengthening the subframe and providing some solid sliders. Anyone done anything like this before?

While I support the idea of replacing failing rockers with 2x6 steel. in order to support the whole weight of the truck being dropped on it, you're likely going to want to tie those into the frame, and not just the body assembly.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

They would be welded to the frame, fenders, and the remaining rockers.

 

[maktruk]

It depends on the vehicle. I assume this is a body-on-frame and not a unibody?

 

[TreXTerra]

I would be cautious about typing the frame to the body. On some vehicles the body mounts are designed to give a little play between the two. I would hate for your sliders to cause damage to the fenders due to excessive frame flex in a full-articulation obstacle.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

Technically i have a subframe. I was wondering if this would work. I've seen it done on XJ's and ZJ's mainly and one or two WJ's.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

My thought was to do something like this from a guys build on jeep forum. Start at post 5 for the rocker mod. Either that or cough up the cash for new rockersto get put in then eventually put sliders on it.

 

[Overland-Indiana]

Looks good, iv'e seen this done a LOT on XJ's when the rockers rust.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

Hard to justify replacing them and then buying sliders. Once I get a fab shop or a buddy to help I will try and get alot of pics and share theinfo.

 

[roamingtimber]

The only thing I would be cautious about is welding them to the sheet metal of the body/ subframe. From my tire carrier project I learned that some places you can weld on with no problem and others you just blow holes no matter what. Depends on how thick or how many layers the sheet metal is.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

I hear ya. Probably have a pro do this job. I talked to a shop when I had my ZJ and was quoted $300 to cut em out and do the same.

 

[roamingtimber]

Not a bad idea. Its hard to tell where is going to weld well and where isn't. I honestly wished the WJ was body on frame for that project. Would have made the design and fabrication easier.

 

[Wildland Outdoors]

I did find another option. These ROCKer Panel Sliders look interesting.

 

[hardtrailz]

I like the idea. I think it is your best option. Seen it done many ways and it seems to work, but part of my decision to avoid a Jeep suv was due to the lack of frame.

I have seen where they use a wider 2x and then tie in some fender bars to the front and rear bumpers for protection...a sort of mini-exo ringing the bottom and it seems really nice.

 

[Corbet]

For a unibody Jeep sure I'd go that way. For a body on frame vehicle no.

 

[jwhughes3]

I did that with 2x2" .25" wall tube angled on the ends - its worked out well and looks better than bashed in rockers and stands up to rocks fine. I tied some flat steel plate underneath across the empty space across to the pinch weld to tie and support it in place.