Rock rails - can anyone recommend?

warholic · 06-15-2009, 11:30 PM

Hi all -
bottom line is, after all the threads, are there rock rails that can be installed by SMB when i order my van. Not nerf bars, not steps, .............. rock rails.
thx

Jeffrey · 06-15-2009, 11:35 PM

You probably mean rock sliders. The only ones I've seen that are worthy are Scatter's, and he made them himself. I have sliders on my Land Rovers, and have the nerf steps on the SMB, which are quite adequate, seeing that the SMB 4x4 with 35" tires is way tall, and there's lot's of clearance already.

Stumpalump · 06-16-2009, 08:45 AM

A cheap welder and cheap 4.5" grinder is all anybody needs to fabricate sliders. It takes a little longer than wood but I think working with steel is easier. Tools and matierial will be less than the cost of a set of sliders. I built this set for an extended cab truck buggy I built out of 2x6 1/8 wall recatangular tubing. I bought some two inch strap to cap the ends and used the cutoff wheel on the grinder for the cuts. Buzzed it together and painted it. I have aluminum running boards on my van now. I'm sure they will be trashed soon the way I drive so I'll make up some more steel ones the same way.

warholic · 06-18-2009, 11:02 AM

Hey "Stumpy" - if I may call you that - nice job! I prolly won't do that tho (LOL) - I'm not that handy. I mean, I need to be realistic. But... makes me think a local machine/auto shop could do rock sliders - I just need to find the right one.

Jeffrey - I saw Scatters - it was some long thread I originally read - which made me post this topic. BTW, your setup looks clean - just solar on top - are those the Kyocera's?
And your front bumper looks diff from the trojan ones i usually see. I like yours -
warholic

TwoVans · 12-30-2009, 11:47 PM

Leaning forward again with my plans, Rock Sliders are planned as soon as the interior is in and before my 4x4 conversion. I will be having them done at Extreme Off-Road in Clovis, CA (next to Fresno).

Based on how hard I've hit my Warn sliders on the Jeep with zero damage to the Jeep's body, I consider them an essential component to the longevity of the body. Additionally, I see them as additional protection from side impact for the kids.

Once again, pics to follow. You know, once I get the van shipped across country, over to SMB for the interior, etc., etc...

cellularSTEVE · 12-31-2009, 12:43 AM

Jesse,
Out of curiosity how much are the rock rails?
How about the cage?
steve

TwoVans · 12-31-2009, 01:14 AM

Can you put a price on the safety of your kids (at least that's the argument I plan to go with for my wife)?

I haven't gotten to a quote yet as the van isn't here to crawl around and measure, so Dave would be purely guessing at this point. However, once the van arrives I'll be taking it in to do just that and nail down at least a ball-park figure so I can plan my budget accordingly. I'll post as soon as I get that far.

Eric

cellularSTEVE · 12-31-2009, 08:06 AM

That would be helpful. On our Death Valley gathering last year several of us were talking about finding a shop and getting some pricing. Thanks for posting up once you find out.

steve

AndrewST · 12-31-2009, 03:13 PM

Jessenej

Am also interested in rock sliders for the van, keep posted.
Seems like there is place for a group buy

TwoVans · 12-31-2009, 03:51 PM

Will do. In fact, if everyone who is interested will either post here, or contact me, I'll be sure to leverage the numbers on the cost. Also, let me know it you have an RB or EB.

Eric