- Location
- Andover, VT
Howdy all. I have historically spent more time over on Cherokee Forum, but I've been getting bored of the same "what size tires for a 3" lift" questions, so I've been spending more time around here. Seems to be some more tech and experience on these boards.
Got a question to propose. I'm hoping some people who have been down this road will weigh in.
Tube rockers: How much beef is too much beef?
Seems that most people run 2"x 6"x.188". Some do 2x4, some do 2x5, some do 2x8. Some do .125" wall, some do .250" wall. Some use 3 braces, some use 5 braces. Some add a rub rail, some skin with plate/UHMW.
3/16" 2x6 with five 2"x2"x.125" braces weighs in at 65-70 lb per side. Add a 1.75"x.120" DOM rub rail and a 1/2" plate of UHMW backed with .063" steel and its up to about 100 lb per side. Drop to 1/8" wall 2x5 and its 80 lb per side.
I'm currently in the process of doing tube rockers/sliders/mini-boat sides. I have the rocker cut out up to the door sill, and will be trimming the bottom of my doors to match. My intentions are to run the tube from wheel well to wheel well with 4 or 5 braces back to the plated unibody rail. At this point I'm unsure if I will leave it like that or add a DOM rub rail and/or skin over the braces.
I'm getting my cut-list together to place a material order within the next week. I'm leaning towards going 3/16" 2x6 for peace of mind, even though its heavier and more expensive. That would also set me up well to run the rockers as-is (no rub rail or skin) for awhile until I can come back to the project to add the accessories.
I'm anticipating most people will say 2x6x.188 and don't look back, but I'd appreciate any thoughts. Other things on my mind about the size selection is ease of tying in an A pillar support and tube fenders. I always love a good opportunity to over-think things.
Got a question to propose. I'm hoping some people who have been down this road will weigh in.
Tube rockers: How much beef is too much beef?
Seems that most people run 2"x 6"x.188". Some do 2x4, some do 2x5, some do 2x8. Some do .125" wall, some do .250" wall. Some use 3 braces, some use 5 braces. Some add a rub rail, some skin with plate/UHMW.
3/16" 2x6 with five 2"x2"x.125" braces weighs in at 65-70 lb per side. Add a 1.75"x.120" DOM rub rail and a 1/2" plate of UHMW backed with .063" steel and its up to about 100 lb per side. Drop to 1/8" wall 2x5 and its 80 lb per side.
- In your experience, what combination of these options works best for what you use your Jeep for (please put yourself on a spectrum from mall crawler to rock bouncer)?
- Is there anything you would do differently about your current slider setup?
I'm currently in the process of doing tube rockers/sliders/mini-boat sides. I have the rocker cut out up to the door sill, and will be trimming the bottom of my doors to match. My intentions are to run the tube from wheel well to wheel well with 4 or 5 braces back to the plated unibody rail. At this point I'm unsure if I will leave it like that or add a DOM rub rail and/or skin over the braces.
I'm getting my cut-list together to place a material order within the next week. I'm leaning towards going 3/16" 2x6 for peace of mind, even though its heavier and more expensive. That would also set me up well to run the rockers as-is (no rub rail or skin) for awhile until I can come back to the project to add the accessories.
I'm anticipating most people will say 2x6x.188 and don't look back, but I'd appreciate any thoughts. Other things on my mind about the size selection is ease of tying in an A pillar support and tube fenders. I always love a good opportunity to over-think things.