Rear Quarter Panel Armor for your XJ

[merlintocherokee]

A new company is here to serve the needs of the wheeling XJ owner. SlickRock Gear was started because we could never find what we were looking for in a crusher corner http://www.slickrockgear.com

SlickRock Gear quarter panels are constructed of 3/16" plate steel, flares will come in 3 1/2" widths and 6 1/2" widths (for you guys in tire width states). Flares are constructed of 3/16" plate steel, trimmed with 1/2" box tube (1/8" wall). Mounting hardware is stainless steel.

In addition to offering a quarter panel that will cover that bottom box behind the tire, we also offer a quarter panel that stops at that body line for those who have cut and tucked that box up and out of the way. Front fenders are being designed now. We might come around and ask you guys for some input and what you would like to see (what would you like to see in a front tube fender).

We are Cherokee owners and have been wheeling the poor girl for 4 years now, so we know what is available out there and what works. We also understand the advantages and pitfalls of the internet store. We strive to offer you a great product delivered in a reasonable amount of time. We're lacking on pictures at the moment but more pictures should be posted within the next few days.

Currently, all orders received by September 30 will receive an additional $75 off there order. IN the future we plan to offer regional association members and members of United Four Wheel Drive an additional discount.

Thanks and we'll see you on the trail.

Russ Hawkins
SLICKROCK GEAR

[jdougn]

What size tire can be "stuffed" into the rear quarter panel?
The fender/flare Really looks good and is something I'd be interested in.
Doug

[merlintocherokee]

PM your email address and I'll send you a picture of a 36" IROK stuffed in the rear.

Thanks

[XJSpencer]

post it here. I think we'd all like to see it.

[merlintocherokee]

Here's a link to the pics on the site, we did some more yesterday afternoon
http://www.slickrockgear.com/manufacturing.html

[jdougn]

Looked at the picts and I like what I see!
The highlift jack under the fender is a nice touch too!
I was thinking, if the quarter panel gets hit so does the tail light. Any plans to offer armored tail lights?
Doug

[KSXJ]

any plan to make matching front?

[merlintocherokee]

I was thinking, if the quarter panel gets hit so does the tail light. Any plans to offer armored tail lights?


Yes, the finished product will have taillight protection incorporated into it. Will have slots to see the corner lamps (red and amber).

any plan to make matching front?

Yes. Will probably start production in 2 weeks.

[Jeep914x4]

I like the looks of the integrated flare and the highlift pic is a nice touch.

[RCman]

Will the fenders also 'play nice' with 97+ XJs?

Any estimate cost of a complete 'package' for front and rear?

[steelmen]

looking good i emailed ya

sam

[merlintocherokee]

Will the fenders also 'play nice' with 97+ XJs?



Yes I'm pretty sure they will. The only exception being the oh so subtle difference in taillights. On 97 and up, there will be a little piece at the top of the taillight thats still exposed (1/2"). Otherwise I'm pretty sure the sheetmetal stamps under the plastic cladding are the same as the older ones.

[rpraterxj]

Very nice! I was just thinking of a similar desgin last week for my 2000 XJ. Do you plan to offer them for the 97+ XJ? Also, what is the installation like, how much cutting? What skill level is needed? Any re-informacement in the flare? How does it mount?

I run an aftermarket bumper with lower quarter protection built-in. I want to keep that, so would there be an opportunity for "customization? Also, maybe make the front of the flare tapper in towards the rock rail?

What does the front look like? I am interested in a complete set-up. 3 1/2 flare woudl be perfect on all 4 corners.

Thanks,
Robert

[merlintocherokee]

Do you plan to offer them for the 97+ XJ?

Yes, the panels should fit 97 and up, the only difference between the older models and the 97 and up is around the tail light/tail gate.

Also, what is the installation like, how much cutting?

Cutting is a relative term really. You will be cutting to the pinch seam and then cutting reliefs in the pinch seams and rolling them back ( the flare extends inward to cover this area so its not exposed). A sawzall/angle grinder, a hammer and an allen wrench and an extra set of hands are all thats needed.

Any re-informacement in the flare

The flare extends inward an extra 1.5" or so. For the rears there is a brace that mounts to the "frame" rail from the inner portion of the flare.

I run an aftermarket bumper with lower quarter protection built-in. I want to keep that, so would there be an opportunity for "customization?

We will be offering a few different configurations, the full panel ( with a flare) with the rear box, the full panel (with flare) without the rear box and for those that have wrap around bumpers, just the panel with the flare. For others reading this, if you've removed the bottom box (the formed box that is between the rear tire and the rear bumper) and you do not have a bumper that wraps around to this area, there is a plate that runs across the bottom of this area along with some additional mounting that these panels will have. Before you order a panel that will be used with a wrap around bumper, contact us first and send us a picture so we're on the same page.

maybe make the front of the flare tapper in towards the rock rail

Done! Thats already part of the plan.

I am interested in a complete set-up. 3 1/2 flare woudl be perfect on all 4 corners

We're working on the front flares, we should have some mocked up fenders within the next month. We had a set but they just didn't look good so we scraped them and started over.

Other information, the panels will extend to cover the outward face of the rear tail light with a special design cut into the tail light area so your lights may be seen from the side.

Did I get all your questions? Let me know if anyone has any more questions.

[DesertYJ]

Have you started the production yet?
If so, post up some pics.

[merlintocherokee]

Yes, the first sets are back from the machine shop and are being assembled now. I hope to have pictures tomorrow.

[roxj]

pics yet ?

[merlintocherokee]

Yes, I just uploaded more pics along with opening the store for business. I still have to do some organizing of the pictures and web stuff. Refresh your pages so you will see the "Photos" button on the Nav Bar.

[aparke4]

yes! the pictures work i just had to click on them...Rear Quarters 4 DOOR ONLY with the plate for cut rear quarter panels is genious... i am ordering some here in the next week... perfect... are you planning on leaving the xj in the back or are you going to have other designs like just plain slits, etc... awesome

[aparke4]

just ordered! can't wait!

[merlintocherokee]

Probably just XJ for a while, but if there's enough demand to do something else then sure, why not. Here's the catch though, we'd have to have the machine shop rewrite the program to put something else in (see more money). These panels are cut from a program on the laser cutter.

[91xjrunner]

What about 2 doors i have a 2 door and am verry interested in your product or is it strictly 4 door

[merlintocherokee]

They're planned in the very near future. We needed to get the 4 door rear finalized and then we'll be getting to work on the 2 door rears and the fronts.

[91xjrunner]

roughly how long 2-3 months would you say?

[merlintocherokee]

We have a major Jeep show here in Florida (don't laugh) in less than 2 weeks. Our good friend has a 2 door and will there so we will get the dimensions from that and get back with you. Probably about a month or less.

If you want to see the show pictures from previous years, www.ocalajeepclub.com (http://www.ocalajeepclub.com)

[DesertYJ]

Order placed.

[aparke4]

good man i really love these designs i just ordered one very cool

[G.Nenzel]

Order placed, let's see the fronts!

[91xjrunner]

can you put me on a waiting list so to speak for the 2 doo model

[aparke4]

so there might be tube fenders for the front?

[merlintocherokee]

It will probably be square tube front fenders but they will be cut out armor fenders with flares.

[roxj]

do you have any pics of the front fenders?

[merlintocherokee]

Not yet, but I did have an idea that I have to get mocked up next week. I'll post pictures when we get it done and if it looks decent.

[merlintocherokee]

Okay, link to the page where I've posted some pics of the original front fenders we did, but didn't like. Also there is a sketch there of what we're thinking for a front fender. Send us your thoughts or post them here for everyone. We really would like to know what you guys want to see.

http://www.slickrockgear.com/frontfenderideas.html

[FitchVA]

IMO, the sketch makes it look too much like a front TJ flare. and i never really cared for that look. i don't mean to offend anyone that runs them, i just personally don't like the look. why not just use a nice smooth bend that matches the rear bend?

[rpraterxj]

IMO, the sketch makes it look too much like a front TJ flare. and i never really cared for that look. i don't mean to offend anyone that runs them, i just personally don't like the look. why not just use a nice smooth bend that matches the rear bend?


X2 .. smooth curves, and a 2.5" to 3" flare..

I do like the idea... Now will the fender fit all year models?

What is the estimated cost goign to be?

[roxj]

why not use the plate for the actual fender and some tube for the flare kinda like the psc flat fenders

[Char-Broil]

yeah would be a good idea to at least offer something that replaces the whole fender, or maybe incorporates some serious bracing. i've been thinking of building some super sturdy tube fenders for some time now. sweet ideas, i like your work!

[G.Nenzel]

IMO, the sketch makes it look too much like a front TJ flare. and i never really cared for that look. i don't mean to offend anyone that runs them, i just personally don't like the look. why not just use a nice smooth bend that matches the rear bend?


x 2

Make the fender depth match the rear as well.

[DesertYJ]

Are you going to be offering one without a flare but with the bottom boxed?

[merlintocherokee]

Probably.

[merlintocherokee]

Finally got my pictures to load to the products page. NO front fenders yet but refresh the product page when you go there. And yes, will start to work on the front fenders tomorrow.

[cleatus92]

just a thought, why not just take the flares from the rear quater guards without the lower box and flip it and put on the front fender.
meaning the right rear would go to the left front and so on. this would potentially give a more balanced look if a person was to run front and rear protection.

great stuff! when I can weasel some coin from the "boss" I will be looking to purchase.

[XJEEPER]

I'm liking what you're buuilding, the front fender flare needs to be rounded into the leading end to look right. In know that this may make the lower bolt hole attachment a little complex.
I don't really care for the XJ logo lasered into the front or rear flares. Could I get them without? If you need some type of relief in the rear units for DOT req., how about two round holes?

[outlawjeep]

just a thought, why not just take the flares from the rear quater guards without the lower box and flip it and put on the front fender.
meaning the right rear would go to the left front and so on. this would potentially give a more balanced look if a person was to run front and rear protection.


X2 I was thinking the same thing you just got to it first. Love the idea and can not wait to see the 2dr design.


Ray

[xXseekanddestroyXx]

iv been trying to get ahold of the guys at slickrockgear can anyone give me there number or email?? thanks

[rpraterxj]

iv been trying to get ahold of the guys at slickrockgear can anyone give me there number or email?? thanks

Won't do any good. I emailed and called them many times for 3 months straight. not a single reply, answer, or call back. I understand company's get busy, especially small side businesses. but when you are a national sponsor and you have customers wanting product, you should return calls or emails.

Give avanteone a PM here on NAXJA. He can get the THOR guards. I was ready to order and he answered all of my questions very quickly.

Good luck!

[xXseekanddestroyXx]

are the thor guards available with flares, cause i didnt see any on their website?

[90exjay]

are the thor guards available with flares, cause i didnt see any on their website?
No but lots of people have been fabbing them up on their own.
This is a great example.(not mine)
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=922035

[falcon1235]

so is there anyone that is making armor right now im looking for rear armor for a 2001 2 door?

[Ba-Riedo]

Yup, THOR guards can be ordered, contact Avanteone. Or thor4x4.com

-Alex