Welcome to the next installment of the

Topic of the Week

This week, the TOTW is going to talk about protecting your rig.

Nerfs, stingers, .125" thick body panels....

You get the picture

I'll start with a basic one. rocker panels

I built mine about a year and a half ago from 4x4 1/4" angle. way too thick. especially with todays lightweight trend.

what do you think the minimum thickness should be for something that supports a 3000 pound jeep? 1/8"?

and has anyone with the shackles in the stock location on a CJ ever hit the steering box on a rock?

Could be simple things like making sure all your zircs are facing up or welding steel over or to your undercarriage parts like brackets and what not. But I think before you start taking a bunch of your rig and throwing steel over or on it try getting it out of harms way first. Shock mounts move them, gas tank raise it, tie rod hi-steer it. Even for those who don't care about their rigs tub you have to admit steel plate or an exoskeleton slides against rocks a lot better than dented and torn sheet metal:goofball: That being said let's see your pics:flipoff2:

Not that hard - cut what ever you can (it can't get hung up if it isn't there) and plate the rest: I like 3/16" to 1/4" over 1/8" but then again I drive a tank....


I keep finding new ways to appreciate my tube fenders, you can even use the high lift on them. :D

Just keep adding more until you go wheeling hard and only come home with rock rash and no dents

Matt

I was just reworking my rockers so I'll share my XJ experience. The stock frame rails are little more than sheet metal and really don't hold up all that well to rock sliders being bolted to them. Obviously you clamp the pinch seam as well and this really helps. However, after running this setup for a while I really wasn't happy with the frame mounting. So....I ended up cutting strips of 1/4" plate and welding them the full length of the frame from the rear spring hanger to the LCA mount. I drilled a ton of of holes for plug welds and stitch welded the top and bottom as well. In addition to providing a solid mount for the rockers to be welded to, it allows future upgrades by having a solid mounting structure. Try welding brackets to that POS sheet metal frame in an emergency trail fix using batteries. Overall I am much happier with the way this turned out.

I subscribe to Matt's theory, just start cutting unneeded junk off and plate the rest with 3/16" plate.

I run 4x6 angle (5/16") with 1x1 box added for step/kicker. Thinking about exchanging 1x1 for some 1 1/2 tube. Also made 2x4 (1/8 wall) bumpers w/the ends hacked-yea, like a crapload of others, but it WORKS. I also subscribe to the sawzall method. If it don't serve a purpose, HACK IT! Also, I plated the frame mounts on my bumpers with 1/4"x6 and sleaved the mounts, not only strong as f**k, but also is a solid mount for 4" D-rings. Mucho gooder:D

4 x 6 x 3/8 angle sliders.. yeah.. its waaaaaaaaayy overkill.. but its what i had laying around the house at the time. My company isnt called SchuitOverBuilt (SOB) for the fawk of it. :D

My philosphy has been to remove/relocate anything that is consistently hit and bent (body mounts, rear corners, fenders, rocker panels, gas tank, etc). Still hit it? Reinforce with 3/16" plate tied to a solid location.

Paul

Originally posted by nasvik
My philosphy has been to remove/relocate anything that is consistently hit and bent (body mounts, rear corners, fenders, rocker panels, gas tank, etc). Still hit it? Reinforce with 3/16" plate tied to a solid location.

Paul

I am in the Nasvik boat on this. I have removed what gets bent and armored what couldn't be removed. I only get dents when the wife drives now, but I can' t put steel plating on her.

BTW.... Nasvik, When is your crap going to be done. I want to see some pics.

Joe

I used 3/16 3x2 angle with 1 1/4 bent tubing along the bottom for my rocker guards. I think they will work.

Yep if it hits get rid of it, if you cant plate it

for thoes that drive on the street you can get some Off your rocker corner guards. that what i have....i would not pay full price for them though. i got them used from a buddy that was going to cut the rear off his jeep. alos 4 x4 1/4" angle is an easy way to keep your rockers from getting killed and they slide much better. if you are not driving on the street then i say hack away.

On my CJ5 I used 4"x 4"x 3/16" angle iron for rocker guards. I cut the side down to 2"s and folded it over and welded it back on to double the side thickness. (I left it single thickness toward the front tire to get around the protruding fender mold in the body.) I then took two 1"x 1"x 3" solid steel bars and welded them perpendicular to the rocker, parallel to each other, 1 1/2" apart. This created a Hi-Lift jack "slot". I made two of these on each side, one far forward and one far to the rear.

Rubicon tested and SOLID!

Originally posted by CJ5-man

and has anyone with the shackles in the stock location on a CJ ever hit the steering box on a rock?

YES!

My rockers are made out of 3/16 plate... I bet they are heavier then the 4x4x1/4 angle you used.

Originally posted by Rokmycj


BTW.... Nasvik, When is your crap going to be done. I want to see some pics.



It's "done"! :D Why didn't you check it out at clean up? :flipoff2:

Still need to paint the cage and mount the soft top attachment points, but it's done.

http://www.jeepshots.com/shots/projects/tube

Paul

Originally posted by Simple Man
On my CJ5 I used 4"x 4"x 3/16" angle iron for rocker guards. I cut the side down to 2"s That's a good size. I used 5" x 2" x .025" thick on my TJ. 5" on the sides and 2" on the bottom. I had some 1.75" tubing bent for steps, but I haven't welded 'em on yet. Maybe next weekend. :rolleyes:

I used 3/16" plate that is bent for my rockers.......started out as a 60" x 17" plate, bent it at 5".....so I have roughly 12" under the body..mounts to the body mounts (I had mine long before Avalanche came out with theirs and mine bolts to all three side body mounts :flipoff2: ). Then 1.5 x 2" between the wheelwells for steps/pivots.

I need to armor my corners, I want to go from the rear of the door all the way around to the tailgate (I also had this idea long before Avalanche started seling them)....planning on 3/16", but sometimes I think 1/8" would be enough, then i say 'fawk it...what's for dinner?'

For now I am just focusing on removing 44 from my sig and replacing it with 60.

Here are some we just finished on a friend's rig. 3/16 steel with a couple 45 degree bends in them. He sells them if you are interested. Email me for info on it.

http://www.tommyjeep.com/members/etj/pics/images/27.jpg

My rockers are built out of 1/4" plate I cut them to size and threw them in a break to put a nice 90 in them, the grab all 3 body mounts on each side and the roll cage ties into them. I then bent some 1-1-4" kick rails to act as a side step and hung some limiting straps to use as a stirup.

Here are a few shots..



http://www.tpijeep.com/RND_019.jpg

TPIJeep, mine look just like that, except they go out to the wheelwell edges.....cool

Has anyone considered using aluminum skid plates? Sure they will get gouged up but I'm not crazy about bolting on 500 lbs of steel. Or is this just a stupid pipe dream?

Stupid pipe dream. :flipoff2:

Unless you use a really high-grade of aluminum, it will gouge and hang you up. The idea is to use something stronger than what you're sliding over - hence the common use of steel.

Ok what of a skid of mostly alum. with a thin piece of steel on the bottom?

CA skids for those that don't have leafs :flipoff2:

Any ideas for what to do on a '98 XJ?
I may be a Jeep owner by tomorrow. :D

Any views on Avalanches Crusher Corners, Rocker Knockers and Stinger front Bumper ? Good/Bad/Thickness ? Looks good, but dose it work ? Any first hand info ?

I just picked up a 98 also, realing like the ones that used to be made by GED, but now Rustys is making them and I'm not sure I want to go through that. They are the only ones I have found that bolt to the pinch line.

I recently installed the Avalanche Rocker Knockers, mainly because I thought they would make a good frame tie in for the roll cage.

They only attach to the middle body mount, and even that is a U-shaped notch that slides between the body and the mount. This will work, but really should have been a drilled hole.

I'd have to say the best thing about them is they are relatively easy to install and have nice hardware.

You could fab something better, but there are a lot of little issues, like where to route the parking brake cable that would need to be worked out...

Also, I hate having their logo plastered on my Jeep.

I used to run a piece of angle iron on the side of my Jeep, but after some seious abuse, the body started to buckle around the angle iron edge. One thing to keep in mind with all that angle iron, no matter how stong it is, if you have it bolted to the body on the outside, you are still depending on sheet metal to hold up to all of the abuse. I built new ones similar to the ones made by ORGS and they work great. I had them as close to the body as possile (1/2 inch) 1 and 1/4 tubing. Ya I lost some ground clearance, but The jeep body didnt buckle....

Anyway, thats all gone now and I am chopping the body and making angled plating to go to the frame. Send pics as soon as I get em

Ryan

I got the Avalanche corner guards and they are fawking sweet, but a little pricey. But they hold up great

Originally posted by The Adam Blaster
Any ideas for what to do on a '98 XJ?
I may be a Jeep owner by tomorrow. :D


Here is how we do XJs in the evergreen state!!!:flipoff2:
Body armor weighs to much just remove the body. I know its revolutionary, but with all the trees here you would need to coat the entire rig with 1/4 plate. The rigs have to be light weight because there is no traction,unlike were it is dry. Just remember Less is More




http://www.snort4x4.com/upload/JM-1.jpg

Oh my ghetto fab. That is friggin cool. How bout some more pics

Originally posted by CA_YJ
Oh my ghetto fab. That is friggin cool. How bout some more pics


I don't know about ghetto fab that rig is tight. It is alot stouter then most rigs. It gets rolled quite frequently. And never receives any damage othe then to whats left of the sheet metal. Like today he rolled of a ledge about 6-8 feet and didnt even do anything other then bend in one of those corners on the rear. these pics were the first day after the coil swap in the rear. The rear corners are now folded and welded to the top of the fender wells. Looks arent everything,stuff around here gets built right(strong and safe) with little reguards to painted prettys

http://www.snort4x4.com/upload/JM-2.jpg

Here's my on going project. I am going to run LEDs.
http://www.fototime.com/FF7183D147607A5/standard.jpg

Originally posted by XtrmTJ
Any views on Avalanches Crusher Corners, Rocker Knockers and Stinger front Bumper ? Good/Bad/Thickness ? Looks good, but dose it work ? Any first hand info ?

My friend got a set of Avalanches Crusher Corners for his TJ (http://dpgoffroad.com/projectdd.htm/projectddmain.htm) , they are nicely cut and bent, fits like a glove. I think they are 3/16" thick.

http://www.fototime.com/210A4E6CEEF02EA/standard.jpg

Paul, rig looks great!!!
:christopher lowellvoice:I love wut youve done with it!
I wanna be like you when I grow up.

kid

Parrothead, what thickness are your XJ r qtr pannels? any more pictures?

Originally posted by Eddie Mcstiff
Parrothead, what thickness are your XJ r qtr pannels? any more pictures?

They are 1/8" thick. I have a few more pics, still working on the Heep.

http://www.fototime.com/2DD31BC5883F9F5/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/91ACB6E2CCC7269/standard.jpg
http://www.fototime.com/D88E3E4DDAE9E08/standard.jpg

Originally posted by CoryB
Stupid pipe dream. :flipoff2:

Unless you use a really high-grade of aluminum, it will gouge and hang you up. The idea is to use something stronger than what you're sliding over - hence the common use of steel.


Wrong. :flipoff2: (Though they are a good grade) Jeff Mello just won ProRock 35" stock mod. with a set of Stiffy® aluminum rockers. And flat skid.

They don't hang up we tested them. :D


Soon there will be Stiffy® Aluminum side panels too.

I have the steel prototypes on my Scrambler now. I'll have them both in Steel and aluminum.

Holy leaping 1/4" plate batman :eek: Talk about rock hugging weight. And what the fawk's hanging down below that thing? :eek: I bet you need one ton CV's ;)





Originally posted by TPIJeep
My rockers are built out of 1/4" plate I cut them to size and threw them in a break to put a nice 90 in them, the grab all 3 body mounts on each side and the roll cage ties into them. I then bent some 1-1-4" kick rails to act as a side step and hung some limiting straps to use as a stirup.

Here are a few shots..



http://www.tpijeep.com/RND_019.jpg

Steve, got a website? Are they interested inmaking skids for XJ's??

Originally posted by Weasel
Steve, got a website? Are they interested inmaking skids for XJ's??


No website yet. Kidwired's revamping Specialty Parts first then Stiffy. Though Stiffy won't take as long. :rolleyes: It'll SOON be http://www.stiffyoffroad.com

As far as skids for an XJ which skids? At this time I'm developing a GOOD solution to beefing the wimpy stock 30 lower control arm brackets. None of that rock catching looks like something from mom's kitchen crap.

Body armor?
I don't even have rocker guards on my XJ:flipoff2:

I don't have any skids either and found out today I really need them. Well that and now I need some new fenders.

Ran Iceman(4+) with a XJ on 31's and 2" lift. I have one dented rocker that is pissin me off and I need to get fixed.

Steve, The main skids I would like would be gas tank, T-case, Tranny, and maybe intergrate a new crossmember into the t-case skid. Lower control arm skids would be great too. I'm not sure if rock rails would be feasable to make out of almunium but they would be sweet too. If they do want to make some of these I would more then happy to try them out!

All I do to fix my rockers once in a while is open my door and pound the edges of the rocker down with a BFH so I can open and close mt doors :flipoff2:

That's what I need to do now. I sort of like my vehicles to look decent being it's my only one.

Well after I hit my fenders, I hacked them off and put tube fenders up front. I have 4XD rocker guards. Im going to be running Avalanche corner guards in the rear w/ tube fenders on top of those.
Pics here. http://community.webshots.com/album/52080939CCNHpS
Mike

In the case of my ZJ rockers, I got tired of having the rock rails stealing clearance and getting bent. So we cut out the existing rockers and replaced with boxsteel. Much stonger and much more clearance.

http://www.flawlessfotos.com/jeepin/mods/rocker.JPG

I finally got a digital camera!

Here is a picture of the rocker guads I mentioned before. They are made from 4x4 angle iron. I cut down one side and welded it back on to double the thickness on the side, except where the body sticks out on the fender.

I also added two spots for Hi-Lift jack use. Two pieces of solid 1x1 about 4" long just far enough apart to fit the jack.




Unfortunately, I have had to test the jack points. But it was the Rubicon and....

Let me just be the first person to say that the Warrior diamond plate corners suck hard:mad: I must have spent 3 hours cutting them to the right shape and then I had to use 6 clamps to get them to fit my jeep right so I could rivet them on. Total waste of time