Topic: ROCK SLIDERS- BODY MOUNT-VS- FRAME MOUNT

[quicksand]

I am trying to decide what type of rock slider to get, body mount or frame mount?. I am a daily driver and do mild off road. I do not what anything to heavy. Some sliders can wiegh up to 70 a pair. I have been looking at rough country sliders. At the same time I do not want to lose to much ground clearance. What is a decent middle of the road slider?

[neale_rs]

I got the Warn sliders that bolt only to the body, not too heavy, not too expensive, and they have worked well for me.  But you can get some cheaper ones that you paint yourself. 

[jfrabat]

The body ones will give you the better ground clearance, but the frame ones will work better as a step.  I am VERY happy with mine (AtoZ Fab), as they cover the side AND the lower part of the body...

[Jeffy]

The trend is to go with body mount-over frame-mount so you don't lose ground clearance.  BUT you'll probably get more body damage then with a frame mounted if you really beat on it.  The frame mounted ones are more sacrificial.  If I was going to go with body-mount then I'd go for something beefy.  I've seen cheap ones twist from an impact which screwed up the body worse then if there were no guards at all.

If you're looking for a step, there are many that have rock sliders built into the rocker guard as well.  If you're looking for inexpensive, then you might consider some 4x6 angle iron.  Or have a metal shop bend you some.  Then weld a rail on to the plate for strength.

[stan98tj]

i was looking at the RC ones too but passed up because you couldnt use them as a step (the tube is too close to the body). the ones i really wanted come with a diamond plate covering that covers the rocker panel with a tube coming off the side..they go for 500 bucks on quadratec and that was a bit out of my price range.
i settled for these from Body Armor:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?jeep-sid=418&plID=1000&partID=14706

these pics are from a jeepforum user who has them on his jeep



they dont come with that diamond plate piece.

[chardrc]

that stock diamond piece looks like the stock rocker protector from tj Rubicons.
I ended up making my own rocker guards to save $$. made them 6" up the side and 3" under the bottom out of 3/16 steel, was thinking of going thicker but my source had 3/16 on hand. 

[quicksand]

Man those body armor ones sure look nice. I wonder how much do they weigh. And do you have any problems in ground clearance with them. Wow guys now I am really undecided.

[stan98tj]

Man those body armor ones sure look nice. I wonder how much do they weigh. And do you have any problems in ground clearance with them. Wow guys now I am really undecided.

the body armor ones weigh 50lbs together. got that info from the shipping info they provided me when i ordered them.
Clearance shouldnt be a problem at all...check out the side profile pic i posted from that jeepforum user and you will see they dont hang low at all.
here is another option from Nate's 4x4:
http://nates4x4.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=27&products_id=90

[quicksand]

Yeah 50lbs a pair thats not bad at all. Thats only 10lbs over rough country I think my 4 banger can handle that. I guess over all I am trying to keep wieght down to minimum, since my lil rig does have some get up and go right now and do no want to carry excess unnessary wieght. I did see the side profile, looks nice. Just unbolt them and send them to me. Thats all. I will be waiting patiently, thanks.

[FourbangerYJ]

I'd look for the tub mounted variety. Most are 3/16 which is plenty strong. I would not do the tube step/rock rubber thing. There is a ton of them on the market some might be a few pounds heavier than others. I have had nerf bars before and they hang to low and dent easily.

[quicksand]

OK, now I will not be able to sleep tonite. decisions, decisions. Which one ? Time will tell, Its not like I am running out to buy any tommorrow anyway. Thanks for your input and experience. I am just thinking well ahead of time. Not gonna jump into anything without looking first. Right.

[Jeffy]

I'd look for the tub mounted variety. Most are 3/16 which is plenty strong. I would not do the tube step/rock rubber thing. There is a ton of them on the market some might be a few pounds heavier than others. I have had nerf bars before and they hang to low and dent easily.

But nerfs are tough and cheap.  You used to be able to pick up a set of shorty's for $99.

[quicksand]

Yeah I remember that back in 83 on a yota pickup I had. I will reallly be looking into this, I have to keep in mind I am a daily driver and like mild wheeling.

[stan98tj]

i stayed away from the nerf bars. many hang low and i dont want to snag them on anything. the ones i got are low profile. they will prob be just fine.

[neale_rs]

The ones with a tube that sticks out enough to use as a step are the ones that end up bending the side of the tub.  The Jeep comes down on a rock, hits right under the tube, rotating the top of the side plate into the tub, creasing it.  I recommend simple angle iron rock sliders to avoid this problem...or the frame mounted uses that are really tight under the tub.