Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Rock sliders

The

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Jan 11, 2024
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Washington
So I’m in the process of looking for new sliders I currently have the warn ones but I’m looking for more protection for the bottom of my tub. I’ve looked at @JMT
Guide and some of the top ones aren’t offered anymore, I was looking at genrights but they don’t really protect the bottom of the tub. So that leads me to what I have my eye on now, artec offers one that looks pretty good but no backing plate, and then my second option is the motobilt boatsides. Any real world experience with either of these or any others would be greatly appreciated, I do like me some rocks so at the end of the day they do need to be functional
 
Im happy with my Rock Hards but I believe folks have mentioned they fail to protect some areas. Two Rubicon Trail trips and Moab and lots of other trails and hits. No issues.

-Mac
 
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So I’m in the process of looking for new sliders I currently have the warn ones but I’m looking for more protection for the bottom of my tub. I’ve looked at @JMT
Guide and some of the top ones aren’t offered anymore, I was looking at genrights but they don’t really protect the bottom of the tub. So that leads me to what I have my eye on now, artec offers one that looks pretty good but no backing plate, and then my second option is the motobilt boatsides. Any real world experience with either of these or any others would be greatly appreciated, I do like me some rocks so at the end of the day they do need to be functional

I know the TJ tub is supposed to be stronger, but I have the JL version of the Motobilts and they messed up the tub pretty good getting hit, same on another JL who has them mounted.

Probably hard to tell, but they folded in the sills from the hit:

IMG_0664.jpg
 
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So I’m in the process of looking for new sliders I currently have the warn ones but I’m looking for more protection for the bottom of my tub. I’ve looked at @JMT
Guide and some of the top ones aren’t offered anymore, I was looking at genrights but they don’t really protect the bottom of the tub. So that leads me to what I have my eye on now, artec offers one that looks pretty good but no backing plate, and then my second option is the motobilt boatsides. Any real world experience with either of these or any others would be greatly appreciated, I do like me some rocks so at the end of the day they do need to be functional

Fluxor's are the best right now when available. Hit him up with an email.

https://fluxoffroad.com/products/fl...-aluminum-rocker-guards-with-steel-rash-guard
 
I know the TJ tub is supposed to be stronger, but I have the JL version of the Motobilts and they messed up the tub pretty good getting hit, same on another JL who has them mounted.

Probably hard to tell, but they folded in the sills from the hit:

View attachment 641801

Oh yea that’s a no no, thanks for the heads up!
 
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The backing plate is aluminum but the rocker guard that attaches to the backing plate which will be in contact with rocks is 3/16" 304 stainless steel.

Ahh, reading is hard. When it called it rash guard I assumed it meant the body panel.

EDIT: Makes more sense with a different angle, looked almost like a box in the sales page:
1757352719119.png


Feels like there isn't a lot of protection if you need to rotate on a rock or tree with it being so flush.
 
Ahh, reading is hard. When it called it rash guard I assumed it meant the body panel.

EDIT: Makes more sense with a different angle, looked almost like a box in the sales page:
View attachment 641809

Feels like there isn't a lot of protection if you need to rotate on a rock or tree with it being so flush.

If you're wanting something like a step to move the outer surface of the rock slider away from the tub then you may be looking for something to hang up on whereas with the flush design you can avoid that altogether.
 
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Ahh, reading is hard. When it called it rash guard I assumed it meant the body panel.

EDIT: Makes more sense with a different angle, looked almost like a box in the sales page:
View attachment 641809

Feels like there isn't a lot of protection if you need to rotate on a rock or tree with it being so flush.

There should be a small full length rub rail somewhere under the door opening for a few reasons. Just as long as it isn't excessively large and obtrusive like the tube rails we often see.
 
If you're wanting something like a step to move the outer surface of the rock slider away from the tub then you may be looking for something to hang up on whereas with the flush design you can avoid that altogether.
There seems to be a difference of opinion, and maybe needs, between mostly rock wheelers and mostly tight timber wheelers. I have the Genrights with the bar and it's great for pivoting on trees, and the occasional rock, on tight trails here in the PNW. If I spent a lot of time someplace like Johnson Valley they may not work very well. Or maybe they would? <shrug>
 
One possible advantage of sliders with a sufficiently strong rail or step is better side impact protection in a collision especially without doors.

Even if the slider or door will doesn't yield much, the body of the impinging car will, and that extra standoff distance could mean the difference between the car hood/grille hitting you in the side with force or stopping just barely short.

Without testing, it's hard to say definitively how much it would actually matter, but logically, the extra standoff distance should buy something.
 
There seems to be a difference of opinion, and maybe needs, between mostly rock wheelers and mostly tight timber wheelers. I have the Genrights with the bar and it's great for pivoting on trees, and the occasional rock, on tight trails here in the PNW. If I spent a lot of time someplace like Johnson Valley they may not work very well. Or maybe they would? <shrug>

You think the big tubes are great for pivoting around rocks and trees because that is what happens when the big tubes get in the way of the rocks and trees. Then you justify that pivoting as a feature because that is all you know. The reality is that the big tubes are getting in the way of the rocks and trees.
 
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You think the big tubes are great for pivoting around rocks and trees because that is what happens when the big tubes get in the way of the rocks and trees. Then you justify that pivoting as a feature because that is all you know. The reality is that the big tubes are getting in the way of the rocks and trees.
Bullshit. I stuff my Genrights into trees, and the occasional rock, on purpose then pivot around the obstacle with the rear tire. The DOM tube has worked great
 
Bullshit. I stuff my Genrights into trees, and the occasional rock, on purpose then pivot around the obstacle with the rear tire. The DOM tube has worked great

You are missing the point. You can't hit what isn't there. And this isn't Johnson Valley.
20250508_132506.jpg
 
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If you have a welder and the skills, get some .120 or .188 DOM and some flat plate and make your own. That way you can have something other than the cookie cutter type that most other guys have. You don't have to have a bender you can make angled cuts on the side bars and weld some plugs in the ends.
 
You think the big tubes are great for pivoting around rocks and trees because that is what happens when the big tubes get in the way of the rocks and trees. Then you justify that pivoting as a feature because that is all you know. The reality is that the big tubes are getting in the way of the rocks and trees.
Idk, there's times where a bar will hang you up and other times that little bit of stick out can keep you off your windshield frame. I don't think it's a black and white deal.

@Kelson I've seen a lot of Genright skids hold up well in Washington from Naches to the Busywild to Evans Creek. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator