My Take on Rocker Protection
07-03-2012, 01:03 PM
#1
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Location: WA
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
My Take on Rocker Protection
I wanted something a little different from everyone else, didn't want to detract from ground clearance, and I enjoy a good fab project...
Started with some simple 'Z' plates that tie the pinch seam to the unitbody rail:
Then mocked up the idea with some light guage sheetmetal:
And transferred it to 10ga plate:
Made a setting tool for the rivnuts:
More mockup to verify alignment:
Then pulled it out of the garage to see it in natural light:
And pulled them back off one last time to cap the ends and prep for paint:
Hope to have them painted and finish the isntall this weekend.
Started with some simple 'Z' plates that tie the pinch seam to the unitbody rail:
Then mocked up the idea with some light guage sheetmetal:
And transferred it to 10ga plate:
Made a setting tool for the rivnuts:
More mockup to verify alignment:
Then pulled it out of the garage to see it in natural light:
And pulled them back off one last time to cap the ends and prep for paint:
Hope to have them painted and finish the isntall this weekend.
07-03-2012, 01:18 PM
#2
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Location: Indiana
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I wanted something a little different from everyone else, didn't want to detract from ground clearance, and I enjoy a good fab project...
Started with some simple 'Z' plates that tie the pinch seam to the unitbody rail:
Then mocked up the idea with some light guage sheetmetal:
And transferred it to 10ga plate:
Made a setting tool for the rivnuts:
More mockup to verify alignment:
Then pulled it out of the garage to see it in natural light:
And pulled them back off one last time to cap the ends and prep for paint:
Hope to have them painted and finish the isntall this weekend.
Started with some simple 'Z' plates that tie the pinch seam to the unitbody rail:
Then mocked up the idea with some light guage sheetmetal:
And transferred it to 10ga plate:
Made a setting tool for the rivnuts:
More mockup to verify alignment:
Then pulled it out of the garage to see it in natural light:
And pulled them back off one last time to cap the ends and prep for paint:
Hope to have them painted and finish the isntall this weekend.
it looks good I cant wait so see it mounted and painted
07-03-2012, 01:59 PM
#5
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That does look dang good! Wonder how they will stand up to a little beating? Do you think some gussets inside would add more strength? How thick is 10ga in fractions (Sorry, I'm an idiot. ). And when are these coming to market? hahaha!
07-03-2012, 02:04 PM
#6
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l
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07-03-2012, 04:50 PM
#10
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Gussets inside would probably add some strength, but for the type of wheeling I do here in the PNW, I'm not worried about them as-is. If they were built for a rock buggy chaser, I'd probably have gone 3/16" and added some ribbing/gussets for sure. I'm more concerned about fending off the occassional tree root, using them to gently pivot around the aforementioned occassional tree root, and generally providing a measure of protection slightly above nothing at all. Definetly not intended to be a replacement for your average box tube slider...
I like to build stuff for myself, family, and friends. I've had several inquiries about mass producing some of my junk over the years, but at the end of the day I don't want my hobby to become my job. Takes the fun out of it
With the angle on the bottom side of the slider, I don't think there is a safe place for the jack to land. From a structural perspective however, yes, the strength is there to support the weight of the Jeep...
I like to build stuff for myself, family, and friends. I've had several inquiries about mass producing some of my junk over the years, but at the end of the day I don't want my hobby to become my job. Takes the fun out of it With the angle on the bottom side of the slider, I don't think there is a safe place for the jack to land. From a structural perspective however, yes, the strength is there to support the weight of the Jeep...
07-03-2012, 10:09 PM
#11
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
They look clean. I think an 1/8th is a little thin and it could use more mounting bolts/nuts then the two I see on the rocker. To me it just seems like it is going to bend up towards the body. Just my $0.02
07-03-2012, 10:21 PM
#12
CF Veteran
yeah it looks clean, but when push comes to shove, i think it will just create more damage than it will protect.
