What are you guys opinions on boatsides? Was thinking about putting 2x6 all the way up to where the black plastic "grip" where you step is. Then reinforcing with 2x2 flush with frame and rocker then sheeting it with 3/16. But then got to thinking about if boatsides are really necessary or should i just do a regular rock slider reinforced and all. Thoughts? I only like to play in rocks/hard hills and i like to hammer down if the creepin easy doesnt work out. Not sure if ill like the sliding if i land on the boatside and being pushed To the side. Or if i would be able to pivot like i could with regular rockers

 

Make them with a little bit of the 2x6 hanging out (from the boatside) then you can use it as a pivot point.
I would put them up as high as possible to get a little more clearance.
If you can weld it up then do it.

 

Yeah ill deff be welding everything up. And it will stick out enough to weld tubes from the exo to tie it all in. That's what i was thinking to, to start the boatside not at the very edge so i can pivot and fit a hilift if needed. Everytime i think about it i switch up ideas. I plan on clocking the tcase eventually so it would look really smooth with the boatsides as well

 

I read one guy made pockets for the hi lift to fit in also.

 

I want to go up to the first body line, which will include re locating the bottom hinge, I just like the idea.

 

Yeah that would be nice, and then just weld the pillars to the rocker. I think ill go up to the beginning of the bottom of the b pillar

 

It is my daily driver so i don't want to get into anything what would be too much for me to do successfully

 

Its just the mass amount of weight that i don't like. thickness of 2x6, supoorts, sheet, then the exo on top

 

You could do a thinner wall 2x6. If you need more protection on the outside lip then weld angle on it.
I'd start out with thinner sheet, worst thing that happens is you need to fix a dent.

 

Yeah iv heard of people doing that too. But i think ill go with 1/4 2x6, 3/16 2x2, and 3/16 skins. Itll weigh a bit but i know they will get beat on so its all good.

 

after playing in the all the hard rock trails I could find, I don't think the extra weight and annoyance of having to step up and over something to get into your jeep would be worth it on a full bodied street rig

here's how I did mine. should be plenty high, I don't have to hack my body to *****, and it doesn't weight 200lbs per side.

had to cut 1" and 1/4 out of the doors. full boatsides belong on trailered buggies

 

This is exactly what i want to do..but with 2x2 supports to the framerails...and maybe a skin of sheetmetal..skin of metal is debatable. But thats the exact place i want to weld my 2x6 to

 

But id want mine to stick out a lil bit more. About 3 in away from door. Just to be able to weld the exo tubing onto top of rockers

 

oh. I thought you meant to the top of the plastic trim. that's what a boatside is lol.

I guess if you did what I'm doing and skinned it, it would be a mini boatside? I don't think the skins are imperative if you get a good angle on your tie ins. who knows. I'm using 1.5"x3" square tube tie ins. forgot to take a good picture, but you get the idea. the tie ins cut through my floor so I'll be able to tie my cage into it, internally. I think if they stuck out 3" farther it would look kind of silly.

go for it though. it's super easy to get them up that high. just gotta be fearless with the sawzall and grinder

 

Yeah..thats true. But if its an indoor cage it wouldnt be called an exo but i want to weld the exo as tight to the body as possible. Even if its touching it would be fine. Just gotta be able to open doors ya know? But i think ima go for exactly what you did. Might skin it and make mini boatside later on.