Rock Rails/Sliders & Skids

[AstraX]

I have been looking at a few of the different rock sliders online, there is a huge price range which to me seems to depend on the brand.  Is there anything in particular one should be looking at on these?  Body mounted/frame mounted?  Welded/Bolted?  Any of the custom fab guys around here made anything for the 4 door JK?

I am also looking at the Rock Hard 4x4 skid's (colours are just for show, they don't come like that).  They seem to have really good coverage for the belly.  I'm just trying to find out if the transfer case skid will work with the factory gas tank skid.


Basically what I am looking at doing, is putting on some protection for the Jeep so the wife doesn't need to worry as much about me taking it out on the trails...I figure this is cheaper than buying a new jeep just to take wheeling...

Is there anything else I should look at doing for armor?

[w squared]

Other than an evap canister skid (and maybe a Benchmark oil pan) you don't need to upgrade the skid plates that the JK already comes with. In two years of testing my skid plates very thoroughly I've verified that they are indeed beefy enough for the job 

If you're looking to up-armour your JK, here's what I'd suggest:

Steel front bumper (with a "chin" type skid plate if you've got a Rubi sway bar disco)
Steel rear bumper
Beefy rock rails (don't cheap out here)
Evap canister skid plate
Diff covers

After you have all of that done, then I migh consider upgrading the factory skid plates...but it'd be a pretty low priority in my view. Nothing you do is going to 100% protect your Jeep from damage while on the trails...all you can do is spend some time wheeling to understand what's likely to cause you damage, and bolt on armour to cover the "likely suspects".

[Unknown303]

I'm with W Squared on this one.  There's other things that you can put the money into first that will help protect things most likely to take damage.  The diff covers I'd put pretty high on the list as that will be a serious deal breaker on the trail when you bust one of those open.

[AstraX]

Ok so focusing more on Diff covers and rock sliders, what would you recommend?

The only thing I would like with the sliders is a bit of a step built into it.

[w squared]

Northridge has a great deal on diff covers. 2 Riddler covers, lube locker gaskets in a package deal. I would have dumped the contents of my rear diff all over the bottom of Strike Ravine if I had still had stock diff covers on when I was in Moab.

As far as rock rails, find something you like from a higher-end manufacturer like Off Road Evolution, Poison Spyder, or Hanson.

Or if you're on a tight budget, look for a set of take-offs from when someone upgraded their Rubicon's rock rails. Or ACE fabrication makes some inexpensive ones...but understand that you don't get "something for nothing". Companies get a lower price point by compromising on design or materials (in general). The more of your JEep that the rails protect, the more that you are likely to pay.

[AstraX]

Just talked to Stan.

Gave me some prices on the Hanson rock sliders and the Riddler diff covers.
 

My only reservation with the Hanson is it looks like it bolts to the body. 

[w squared]

My only reservation with the Hanson is it looks like it bolts to the body. 

The Rubi rails bolt to the body (on the underside) and I've pivtoed around a thing or two while rubbing on them 

No...that will not be as "strong" as something that attaches to the frame...but you have to decide if you want smooth angled boat sides that will slide along an object, or big beefy stuff that will smash all the obstacles in your path.

[AstraX]

Well I am more interested in strength... so if the frame mounted is better I will probably look that direction.  Do you find the formed plate hold up as well as some of the tube based models?

[AstraX]

Uh oh...just got approved for a loan.

So I am now leaning to the MBRP sliders because they look pretty beefy and you can put on those little steps with them...my wife is only 5'4...she needs help to get in.  Stan also gave me a good price on the Riddler diff covers, and I am thinking the evap skid as well.  Should I also look at an oil pan skid?