I got a lifted wide tired XJ, 33x 12.5 inch tires that stick past the stock flares by 2 or 3 inches. I have just added weld in frame stiffener in the center. Now I am adding a rock rail that I got.

1.. For the Rock Rail Position, since my tires stick out further than stock, I am thinking to extend the rock rail legs so the rail sticks out further than for a regular narrow tired set up would be. My reasoning is that the further out the rail sticks, the more protection to the body it provides. However a limiting factor is that eventually if the rails stick out as the widest thing on your jeep, they may limit where you can go off road do to narrow trails, and tight spots between boulders or trees. However so long as I keep the rails within the width of my wide tires, I am not losing any ability for narrow trails as my tires are still the limiting factor. Thus I am thinking of mounting the rails out about an inch or two extra each side.
Is this a dumb idea? Any draw backs to having wider rockrails considers I got wider tires anyway?

2. I can weld the legs of the rails to my frame (Frame has stiffener) or bolt them. any down sides to welding? Has anyone had to remove their rockrail for anything? If I never have to remove it, welding makes sense, as I got welder in hand, but I can drill and tap if it makes sense to have the rail be easily removable, say for replacement if it get bashed.
Whats the pros and cons of weld and bolting of the rail legs to the frame?

What say you all?

 

Cut the 2" out below the doors weld in 2x8 atleast 3/16 tube. I used 3/16 and its one of the best mods ive done to my jeep.

Theres thread in the fabrication section. Hes does and exceptional job detailing his rock rail install. He went higher into the doors

I run this thing in rocks trees willows these rails have kept the jeep looking decent. The 3/16 is denting and gougeing from rocks but makes hard stuff easy because i just slide over rocks and pivot off them around trees. The fenders just cover 35x12.5 on 3.75 bs 15x8 wheels. It would be some kinda bad dream to go back to wherling without fenders and sliders. Nearly un bearable in wet conditions