Rocker panel help....

M

MaxxTraxx

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Plano, Texas

• Mar 19, 2006

• #1

I am looking at buying a 93 4dr XJ form a fellow club member (dfw-tx4wd.org) The jeep was lifted, but has been returned to stock suspension. I belive all that it has on it now is a small coil spacer, it is slightly taller than a stock XJ. Anyways, both rocker panels have cancer, is it possible to cut the rocker panels out and re- weld new panels in? Or, do rock sliders cover/replace the rocker panels? Open to all ideas/opinions/etc. Looking for the cheapest route here....but it needs to be a safe, lasting repair.

 

W

WB9YZU

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Madison, WI

• Mar 19, 2006

• #2

Sliders/Rock rails usually bolt to the pinch rail, and no, don't cover the rockers, but protect the rockers.

I have seen folks replace the rockers entirely with square tubing so that they don't loose clearance becuase of the rock rails. There is a Tech article on MADXJ.com about that.

You can also replace the rockers. I believe patch panels are available from a number of vendors. You can start at JCwhitney. IIRC they started selling Cherokee patch panels a year or two ago.

Ron

 

Eagle

Lifetime NAXJA Member

NAXJA Member

Location

Terra Firma

• Mar 19, 2006

• #3

JC Whitney sells complete replacement rocker panels. They aren't the same gauge as the originals, but the originals are HEAVY gauge metal. Whitney's replacements are correctly profiled and can either be installed over the existing ones and pop riveted in place, or you can do it right and cut out the old ones, then have the new ones welded in.

 

R

rainer

NAXJA Forum User

• Mar 19, 2006

• #4

I've replaced rockers on my old 87 (RIP) It wasn't that difficult. it just takes some time. I bought my new rockers from the Chrysler dealer and paid $53 Canadian for each. They fit perfectly and looked great. They outlasted the vehicle. It's worth the time and effort. Lots of drilling out spot welds and a lot of chiselling. You have to loosen the front fenders at the bottom to gain access to the front of the rockers. This isn't a one day project so be prepared to loose the use of your vehicle untill its done!

 

RichP

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Effort, Pa

• Mar 19, 2006

• #5

Somewhere on this board is a german site that did a rocker replacment with some pretty hefty steel, step by step pics too. I though it was very nicely done and actually liked the look more than stock with bolt on sliders...I also think he made air tanks out of them but I'm not sure, about 3 years ago as I remember.

 

X

xray

NAXJA Member #1056

Location

wisconsin

• Mar 19, 2006

• #6

Do a search here. There has been a few write ups on the home made sliders. they look really nice and give extra clearance. They might cost a little more but you dont have to buy sliders so you end up saving in the long run. I bought 12 ft of 2x6x3/16 for $90. I will be working on them in a few weeks. Check out madxj, I think he is the one that had a writeup but I am not positive.

 

langer1

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Mineral City,Ohio

• Mar 19, 2006

• #7

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/rockers/rockers.htm

 

M

MaxxTraxx

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Plano, Texas

• Mar 19, 2006

• #8

that looks cool. So, by replacing the rocker panel with the square steel, it can also act as a slider correct? I have some pics, i'll try to get em up and post or link em for ya'll to get a better idea of what I am talking about.

 

M

MaxxTraxx

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Plano, Texas

• Apr 3, 2006

• #9

any one use, or seen protofab sliders? What sliders do ya'll recommend? Theres alot to choose from and everyone say thier is the best.