Rock Sliders / Rocker Guards Guide
- Thread starter JMT
- Start date
UKTJ
TJ Addict
I have a question on the underside mounting of some rocker guards / sliders.
From reading this thread there appears to be an issue with any options that attach underneath to the body mounts (I'll call this Option 1), and a preference for those that, instead, bolt to the underside of the tub (I'll call this Option 1). But there seems to be two approaches to this second method. Savvy, which looks to be the gold standard look to be shaped so that the sheet metal is simply boled to the underside (Option 2a). Other sliders, such as the Warn ones bolt to the underside of the tub, but are not shaped such that the sheet metal is flat to the tub, instead, three spacers are used. The bolts on the underside go through the sluder, through the spacer and then through holes in the tub to be bolted up (Option 2b).
My question is about Option 2b style sliders. If you come down very hard on the underside of an Option 2a then I presume the load is spread across the whole of the surface of the guard / slider that is in contact with the underside of the tub. But in the same situation for an Option 2b presumably the load is concentrated (in part at least) on the much small points where the spacers are incontact with the underside of the tub. My concern is that this concentrated load may mean the spacers end up damaging the tub, exactly what the guards / rockers are designed to prevent, is this likely? If this is an issue, is an Option 2b still a better choice than an Option 1 guard / slider?
I am no engineer, so my layman's perspective on the concentration of the load onto the three small points may be completely wrong, but I would welcome any comment on my musing from those with more knowledge / experience.
From reading this thread there appears to be an issue with any options that attach underneath to the body mounts (I'll call this Option 1), and a preference for those that, instead, bolt to the underside of the tub (I'll call this Option 1). But there seems to be two approaches to this second method. Savvy, which looks to be the gold standard look to be shaped so that the sheet metal is simply boled to the underside (Option 2a). Other sliders, such as the Warn ones bolt to the underside of the tub, but are not shaped such that the sheet metal is flat to the tub, instead, three spacers are used. The bolts on the underside go through the sluder, through the spacer and then through holes in the tub to be bolted up (Option 2b).
My question is about Option 2b style sliders. If you come down very hard on the underside of an Option 2a then I presume the load is spread across the whole of the surface of the guard / slider that is in contact with the underside of the tub. But in the same situation for an Option 2b presumably the load is concentrated (in part at least) on the much small points where the spacers are incontact with the underside of the tub. My concern is that this concentrated load may mean the spacers end up damaging the tub, exactly what the guards / rockers are designed to prevent, is this likely? If this is an issue, is an Option 2b still a better choice than an Option 1 guard / slider?
I am no engineer, so my layman's perspective on the concentration of the load onto the three small points may be completely wrong, but I would welcome any comment on my musing from those with more knowledge / experience.
Any spacer under the larger section of the torque box underneath that is not in very large quantity or enough to get a lot of support is a bad idea IF you plan to use the rails as intended. However, a case can be made that the section in contact with the bottom of the torque box will not be subjected to the same loads as the outer edge or corner. If that is the hill one plans to die on, then the better case be made is the spacers rob ground clearance since they are used to avoid the double bend.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
In a recent post the ARB's didn't seem to be holding up well for @bty34 (https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rock-sliders-rocker-guards-guide.8704/post-1004723). I wondered how they had performed for you over the last three and a half years?
I also watched your install video on YouTube (Liked and Subscribed
) which was really helpful. The ARB sliders seem to be the only ones that use rivet fixings on the bottom, have these held up OK versus bolts?Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Missed this but for reference, given what I know of ARB and having designed the Savvy versions, I'd really question that the Savvy are heavier. We need some weights to get that figured out.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
Confirmed at 66lbs for the ARB according to... https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/rock-sliders-rocker-guards-guide.8704/post-130587
Are you going to make me weigh a set of the Savvy versions or is that number floating around here somewhere?
UKTJ
TJ Addict
Given the weight and the recent post on beating them up I am wondering what that tubing actually is. I can't find a specification for it.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
If you send me a set of Savvy ones I will happily weigh them before I fit them
Not sure since I didn't see the post but like most, I suspect they are 1.5" x .120 wall in ERW since it makes no sense for them to use DOM and spend that much extra.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
Also, seen a comment online suggesting the ARB's are 1/8" rather than /16". Has anoyone ever checked the thickness of the sheet metal parts on them?
Somewhere I gathered that the Savvy are around 80lb for the pair. The ARB are 63.5lb for the pair. The weight difference of 16.5lbs is the near equivalent of a gallon of water on each side. Nothing to lose sleep over.
I rummaged mostly through manufactures websites. Other info came through specs on merchant sites. Lastly personal testimony on forums.
I rummaged mostly through manufactures websites. Other info came through specs on merchant sites. Lastly personal testimony on forums.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
This is a good point Jerry. What are the rough dimensions of that plate Savvy provide?
My TJ is under a locked cover or I'd measure it. Basically it's as big as will fit to completely fill the open area inside the rocker area. It's probably 1/4 or 5/16" thick. @mrblaine would know, he designed it.
Savvy backer less the plate inside-
Both together are 33.6 lbs x 2 for the pair = 67.2 + a couple of pounds for the internal backers. Not much difference.
Savvy slider-
Somewhat off topic .. but I came across the below video (~10min) a few years ago clearly showing the difference between the same size ERW and DOM in a good controlled way. Anyone using DOM is most certainly going to advertise it for sure.
Video is not for you .. but for others like me that may not know the difference but wish to learn.
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