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Rock Rail Selection

Black1990jeep

NAXJA Forum User
Location
california
I am looking at add rock rails to my 1990 XJ. I have a 5.5 inch lift, 33 inch x 12 wide tires.

I see different types for sale

Mounting...

Some mount to the pinch seam only. others have either 2 or 3 on each side transverse supports that bolt or weld to the frame rail. Others have the transverse supports to frame, and only a partial pinch seam attachment, other habe a full length pinch seam attachment.

What are the pros and cons of the mounting methods?

Partial pinch seam support, with two support bars to frame...https://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/rock-sliders-jeep-cherokee-xj.html

Full pinch seam mount, Three support bars...https://www.tntcustoms.com/jeep_parts/xj_rock_sliders_84_01_cherokee_xj_tnt_customs

Weld in, no cross bars, pinch seam only mount...
https://www.amazon.com/Affordable-O...YN2HKTPNKFZ&psc=1&refRID=CWG9EGPR6YN2HKTPNKFZ


Style... Three styles, one is rail only. two is a rail, plus an outer bump bar that protrudes out to the side more for extra protection, three is a kicker style that juts out infront of rear tire.

What are pros and cons of the kicker? how useful is it? My tires are large, and stick out well past the fenders, so I doubt my over all width will change much with the kickers, the only downside I see with kicker is that it can make the vehicle wider, but in my case, probably not.

Kicker Style......https://www.rocky-road.com/cherokee-xj-rock-sliders.html

What are the pros and cons? I have pulled up near a dozen different rail types of the web

including brands.....
Affordable Off Road (Weld on pinch seam, option for cross bars)
https://www.amazon.com/Affordable-O...YN2HKTPNKFZ&psc=1&refRID=CWG9EGPR6YN2HKTPNKFZ

AJs ( two cross bars)
http://www.ajsoffroadarmor.com/product.php?productid=17516&cat=250&page=1
Hooligan (Weld You Own kit)

https://www.hooliganoffroad.com/products/xj-2x6-rocker-replacement-kit
Ares Fab (Two cross bar mount)
https://aresfabrication.com/shop/xj_rock_sliders/

TNT Custom ( Three cross bar mounts, plus full pinch seam)
https://www.tntcustoms.com/jeep_parts/xj_rock_sliders_adventure_steps_84_01_cherokee_xj_tnt_customs

Rock Hard ( three cross bars)
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/Jeep_Cherokee_XJ_Rock_Sliders_Rocker_Guards_s/408.htm

Smitty Bilt ( No cross bar mounts)
https://www.quadratec.com/products/12057_8200_07.htm

JCR (2 mount bars)
https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJSL-CL.html

Rusty's (two cross bar mounts, partial pinch seam mount)
https://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-...ocker-armor-84-01-xj-cherokee-new-design.html

Dirt Bound ( two cross bar mounts, partial pinch seam)
https://www.dirtboundoffroad.com/shop-by-vehicle/jeep-cherokee-xj/armor/rock-sliders.html

Rocky Road ( two cross bar mount, full pinch seam, kicker rear end)
https://www.rocky-road.com/cherokee-xj-rock-sliders.html

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUTS!
 
Legs necessary, pinch seam is too fragile. 2 legs is good enough for most, add your own 3rd leg or buy 3 legs for serious abuse. The rear leg should mount to the leaf spring pocket like AJ's does. The pinch seam is not very strong so you want as much pinch seam support/engagement as possible, preferable tube and not angle iron, and there should be several cross ties or gussets between the pinch seam rail, and the rock rail. Kickers or not would probably depend on the size of the rocks, the size of the trees, or personal preference.

Rock rails are not hard to build, mine were done in one day and coast about $75 for materials.
 
Last edited:
Some installed pics.......
27360013_zpsa6tlyt7n.jpg

27360011_zpszfsgdyvk.jpg
 
I would suggest that an important consideration is the ability to remove the rock rails and reinstall them as needed.

Rock rails which are welded on make it pretty much impossible to remove the forward leaf spring bolt and the lower attachment screws on the front fender (which then means you can't service your door hinges).

If you have plated your frame rails you should also make sure the rock rails you choose are designed with that extra thickness in mind, particularly if they attach to the pinch seam (which they should).

I gave up trying to figure out if anyone's rock rails matched my needs and decided to simply build my own.
 
I am running the older JCR rock rails that I modified and added a rub rail to. Years ago they came without the rub rail, now they have that feature as part of the rail. My rock rails are welded to the frame as well and the A pillar of my cage is welded to the rock rail. Anak mentioned that you can not remove the front leaf spring bolt with the rock rail welded to the frame - there is a simple fix for that! I have a pic of the fix below.

JCR Rock Rails on my XJ
IMG_0413%201_zpspw1riy70.jpg



JCR Rock Rail with added rub rail
IMG_0424%201_zpsqitav9jq.jpg


Cage front A pillar where it meets into the Rail

IMG_0422%201_zps0mdatdpf.jpg


Simple fix so you can get your leaf spring front bolt out!

IMG_0426%201_zpsp1hysosg.jpg
 
That number 3 Amazon option requires cutting the rocker out and welding in. Not bolting to pinch. Honestly my preference would be tnt ares or jcr. The first set I built had two legs to the frame and nothing else. They would move but took some pretty good hits well. Never had any issues.

The next best thing would be to cut out the rocker and add some 2*6 with 2*2 legs to the frame. More clearance and still strong.
 
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