Rock sliders

[MikeE024]

Well I was a two time finalist on American Ninja Warrior. So Ive fallen down in front of like ten million people.

I believe this.

This is how it goes on this site. If anyone presents a differing experience or fails to confirm JJVW’s bias. He and his minions come out swinging. I think JJ is a bully, but maybe Im wrong.

Doesn’t like bullies but calls me a minion like a bully.

 

[jjvw]

Well I was a two time finalist on American Ninja Warrior. So Ive fallen down in front of like ten million people.

This is how it goes on this site. If anyone presents a differing experience or fails to confirm JJVW’s bias. He and his minions come out swinging. I think JJ is a bully, but maybe Im wrong.

You guys can take me out of context if you want.
1. The Op asked about Rockers. He lives in Washington. Ive got years of trail time there and I know the places he likley goes. Ive seen the genrights hold up well there and elsewhere (Ive wheeled all over the US).
2. Sometimes a bar can be useful (sometimes not so much).
3. Boatsides are better but so is a tube buggy. duh.

I have minions? Who are my minions?

 

[mrblaine]

Since we are all staying on topic here, I gotta question

How did it evolve from what boat siding truly is, and what everyone seems to call it today?

If you still retain the bottom of your factory rocker, thats not "boatsiding"

Bolting something to the body doesn't do boatside stuff.

Dilution of the terminology. The ones I designed for GR were marketed fairly correctly as mini boatsides. Folks chatting about them leave out the mini in case it also gets applied elsewhere.

 

[The]

Jumping into this late, but I used to have the Poison Spider sliders with the step. I used to pivot around stuff too and thought they worked very well for that. That was until I went to the mini-boatside design. Now, most of the time I don't even hit the rocks I used to catch up on.

It's inevitable if you wheel in difficult terrain that you will hit your rockers. I just do it a WHOLE LOT LESS now. This reminds me of the frame side body mount designs. You have the huge honking boxed in versions that protect the isolaters well. Then you have the simplistic design that is raised up out of the way that doesn't need the protection because it's out of the way.

What's better than pivoting around an obstacle? Not getting caught on it in the first place.

Did you go with the GR Mini boats or another?

 

[hosejockey61]

I feel like it's really splitting hairs to worry about the extra inch or so that sticks out compared to something like the Savvy's.

It's always about getting the max you can within the confines of your build. Why go to a mid-arm when the short arm has been "fine for me" for the last 10 years? I personally feel that splitting hairs, and understanding the why of it, really helps a person understand a lot about our hobby. And it DOES show when on the trail. For a lot of us, this is a ton of fun. The individual needs to decide whether the intended result is worth the investment. All I'm trying to say is, is that there IS a difference in a lot of these "splitting hairs" projects. When you add them all up together, the synergistic effect is huge.

Since we are all staying on topic here, I gotta question

How did it evolve from what boat siding truly is, and what everyone seems to call it today?

If you still retain the bottom of your factory rocker, thats not "boatsiding"

Bolting something to the body doesn't do boatside stuff.

I'm not aware that this conversation was based on "what boat siding truly is". All the mentions I see are based on mini boat side. Yes, I clearly understand that a full boat side is a far different animal than the mini boatside. I don't think anyone is arguing that minis compare to a full. It's another area where people trying make additional gains without cutting their tubs the way a full boat side requires.

Since making my mini boatside, I have noticed clearance gains far bigger than I had thought was going to happen. That 6" step on my old sliders was killing me. I had the same mindset of "I use it to pivot so therefore it must be a good thing". Not having a step far outweighs any pivot I've ever used.

Many small gains translates into a big gain in performance ability.

My minion .02 worth.

 

[hosejockey61]

Did you go with the GR Mini boats or another?

We made our own.

 

[bbaldwin237]

It's always about getting the max you can within the confines of your build. Why go to a mid-arm when the short arm has been "fine for me" for the last 10 years? I personally feel that splitting hairs, and understanding the why of it, really helps a person understand a lot about our hobby. And it DOES show when on the trail. For a lot of us, this is a ton of fun. The individual needs to decide whether the intended result is worth the investment. All I'm trying to say is, is that there IS a difference in a lot of these "splitting hairs" projects. When you add them all up together, the synergistic effect is huge.

I'm not arguing that a series of small gains adds up to a big difference. Just that when splitting hairs, we often have to, or choose to, make a sacrifice for that small difference to either fit our needs, save money, get a particular look, etc.

Again, I'm firmly in the camp of do what you choose, whether it is the very best or not. I personally like when everyone has a slightly different approach and style.

 

[jjvw]

I'm not arguing that a series of small gains adds up to a big difference. Just that when splitting hairs, we often have to, or choose to, make a sacrifice for that small difference to either fit our needs, save money, get a particular look, etc.

Again, I'm firmly in the camp of do what you choose, whether it is the very best or not. I personally like when everyone has a slightly different approach and style.

The issue is when people make sweeping bullshit assertions like the South and PNW benefit from big bulky rails simply because people enjoy the spectacle of dragging and pivoting, followed by tenuous justifications like protecting the windshield frame.

That is what this is about. Build however you want to. But quit making stuff up to justify it only to get upset when challenged on the made up justifications.

 

[bbaldwin237]

The issue is when people make sweeping bullshit assertions like the South and PNW benefit from big bulky rails simply because people enjoy the spectacle of dragging and pivoting, followed by tenuous justifications like protecting the windshield frame.

That is what this is about. Build however you want to. But quit making stuff up to justify it only to get upset when challenged on the made up justifications.

I'll add that I never said any of that lol You got the wrong guy! Yes, I live in the PNW and have GRs but as I said, I needed the step for other reasons. I mentioned that maybe it will keep my top from hitting a tree, but that's a speculation. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. Haven't had such a situation arise.

 

[JMT]

@jjvw isn’t calling any particular individual out, just recalling the general assertion that is made. So, no one should feel like they are on the other end of an ad hominem attack.

Real design and function are the issue. I do think people “get by” with their uses, but there are also costly mistakes. These are my GR mini boat sides. These were messed up here in the PNW.

 

[jjvw]

@jjvw isn’t calling any particular individual out, just recalling the general assertion that is made. So, no one should feel like they are on the other end of an ad hominem attack.

Real design and function are the issue. I do think people “get by” with their uses, but there are also costly mistakes. These are my GR mini boat sides. These were messed up here in the PNW.

View attachment 642231

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Thank you, minion.

 

[The]

We made our own.

View attachment 642221

Nice I like the look, I think that’s ultimately going to be the case for me as well I can’t really find a design that has everything I’m looking for so why not make my own lol

 

[JMT]

These GR mini boat sides stick out 4” from the slider rail and did not protect the A pillar from damage.

 

[MikeE024]

These GR mini boat sides stick out 4” from the slider rail and did not protect the A pillar from damage.

View attachment 642242

View attachment 642243

Bad design. GR should have made them stick out more.

 

[cmk1970]

Jumping into this late, but I used to have the Poison Spider sliders with the step. I used to pivot around stuff too and thought they worked very well for that. That was until I went to the mini-boatside design. Now, most of the time I don't even hit the rocks I used to catch up on.

It's inevitable if you wheel in difficult terrain that you will hit your rockers. I just do it a WHOLE LOT LESS now. This reminds me of the frame side body mount designs. You have the huge honking boxed in versions that protect the isolaters well. Then you have the simplistic design that is raised up out of the way that doesn't need the protection because it's out of the way.

What's better than pivoting around an obstacle? Not getting caught on it in the first place.

Well said

 

[mrblaine]

These GR mini boat sides stick out 4” from the slider rail and did not protect the A pillar from damage.

View attachment 642242

View attachment 642243

Well, the good news is no one will ever be able to accuse you of losing the ugliest door contest.

 

[hosejockey61]

@jjvw isn’t calling any particular individual out, just recalling the general assertion that is made. So, no one should feel like they are on the other end of an ad hominem attack.

Real design and function are the issue. I do think people “get by” with their uses, but there are also costly mistakes. These are my GR mini boat sides. These were messed up here in the PNW.

View attachment 642231

View attachment 642233

A mini-boatside with a step makes my brain hurt.

 

[hosejockey61]

These GR mini boat sides stick out 4” from the slider rail and did not protect the A pillar from damage.

View attachment 642242

View attachment 642243

Nothing protects YOU from damage....just sayin' (is that term still used?)

 

[Wildman]

@jjvw isn’t calling any particular individual out, just recalling the general assertion that is made. So, no one should feel like they are on the other end of an ad hominem attack.

Real design and function are the issue. I do think people “get by” with their uses, but there are also costly mistakes. These are my GR mini boat sides. These were messed up here in the PNW.

View attachment 642231

View attachment 642233

Did you do this or was it like this when you bought it? Any clue when or how it happened?

 

[CMBD]

It's always about getting the max you can within the confines of your build. Why go to a mid-arm when the short arm has been "fine for me" for the last 10 years? I personally feel that splitting hairs, and understanding the why of it, really helps a person understand a lot about our hobby. And it DOES show when on the trail. For a lot of us, this is a ton of fun. The individual needs to decide whether the intended result is worth the investment. All I'm trying to say is, is that there IS a difference in a lot of these "splitting hairs" projects. When you add them all up together, the synergistic effect is huge.



I'm not aware that this conversation was based on "what boat siding truly is". All the mentions I see are based on mini boat side. Yes, I clearly understand that a full boat side is a far different animal than the mini boatside. I don't think anyone is arguing that minis compare to a full. It's another area where people trying make additional gains without cutting their tubs the way a full boat side requires.

Since making my mini boatside, I have noticed clearance gains far bigger than I had thought was going to happen. That 6" step on my old sliders was killing me. I had the same mindset of "I use it to pivot so therefore it must be a good thing". Not having a step far outweighs any pivot I've ever used.

Many small gains translates into a big gain in performance ability.

My minion .02 worth.

Didnt say it was. Just asking an honest question. You may have missed post #1 with the Motobilt link.

Sorry if I struck a nerve.