rock slider question

[CjCarl]

So today i bumped my nerf bar in martinez canyon, and apparently its not bolted on strong enough. It bent up into the body and dented my rocker. So im wondering, If i welded them onto the frame (instead of being bolted) would that be strong enough to take a few good hits? Do i just need to suck it up and get some real rock sliders? Feel free to make fun of me for having nerf bars :o Any advice is appreciated

[Hunter]

Well, you sorta right on both accounts. Usually the bolts allow some flex, and "some", is at times, all you need to cause dents. Also, those nerfs arent the best. The thickness is around 13 gauge, or .095 type steel. Which, in the steel world, is considered medium wall.

Alot depends on how much you beat them, or how often you think you will find yourself in a place where you will be useing them. If it is a rare thing as in "Oh, that was a big opps...", weld them up. if you need some extra ground clearance and think you will be hitting, or useing them again, take a good look at the different designs, models and styles and get something more stout.

[AZLugz]

I have Shrockworks Sliders and have hammered them and never had a problem. I recently slipped the front tire sideways off a rock and came down on the slider hard enough to jar my teeth and the others said it echoed loud thru the canyon, BIG scratch, no dent and no bend. They also cover back to the frame so there is not a pocket there that rocks can punch the floorboard

www.shrockworks.com

[61scout80]

So today i bumped my nerf bar in martinez canyon, and apparently its not bolted on strong enough. It bent up into the body and dented my rocker. So im wondering, If i welded them onto the frame (instead of being bolted) would that be strong enough to take a few good hits? Do i just need to suck it up and get some real rock sliders? Feel free to make fun of me for having nerf bars :o Any advice is appreciated


sounds to me like your trying to use a decorative step as a rock slider. i don't think welding it to the frame would make it much stronger. if the material the steps are made from isn't strong enough to hold up the jeep the step will bend no matter how well they are fastened. you could weld a loop of coat hanger to an I beam, it still won't make the hanger stronger.

pics would help.

[CjCarl]

i wouldnt call them decorative, but they certainly arent purpose-built rock sliders. I looked at a few aftermarket ones, but theyre pretty pricey. I think for now im gonna weld up the nerf bars, and make something more substantial a little later. Once i have time to get out more, then think of something better. Thanks guys

[AZLugz]

My Shrocks were almost $400 shiped and they were worth every cent the first time I slammed them down!!!!

[jeff krause]

How about picking up some 3/16th X 6" plate from a steel store... cut to length, make a 90 degree and weld um together... BOLT to tub....

Another route is some 4X4 angle ion wheel well to wheel well....

[CjCarl]

i thought about the angle iron approach, but im not exactly sure how i would mount it. I hadnt thought of the steel plate, but i will consider it. Im open to all cheapskate suggestions! The body is pretty rusty so im not gonna spend tons of $ to keep it straight. Probably in about a year its goin under the knife for buggification, so ill set up something better then.

[shannonmac]

I have the nerf bars on there...which everyone laughs at me for...but let me tell you, as long as you don't mind them getting ugly, then can take a few hits, and they've kept my body off the rocks.
I have to pick up my poison spyder rock sliders and put those on...but for the time being, those nerf bars did a good job...




ps...shnipe, brad and jimmy LOVE my nerf bars.... :p

[PMFG!ItsaGP]

i wouldnt call them decorativeI would. They are far to flimsy to use for anything other then standing on so you can climb into your junk and MAYBE adding an additional 5hp. Chrome works like that ya know.

[jeremy rice]

I used 4x5 angle thats about 1/4" thick. Cut the angles and bolted through body 5 times with grad8 1/2" bolts and beefy washers on the inside.
Had the same thing happen to the nerf bars that came on my jeep.
I have about $20 into them, but the steel was given to me.

[CjCarl]

I would. They are far to flimsy to use for anything other then standing on so you can climb into your junk and MAYBE adding an additional 5hp. Chrome works like that ya know.

Well they arent chrome (sadly) so im thinkin they only add about 2 hp :D I only said they werent decorative because they look like they belong in a scrap pile. Theyre flat black, with some bright blue showing through from the previous owners work. The only thing cooler than chrome nerf bars are ones that are BRIGHT blue!