Aluminum rocker gaurds?

[alosix]

The AEV rocker gaurds on my TJ are about done. 8-9 years of north east winters on them have done them in. Even after a complete strip and POR15ing. They are the version before they started e-coating them in house though.. so I doubt the new ones will see these issues.

If I'm going to replace them I'd like something lighter. I've been hunting around a bit but haven't seen anything yet. Anyone come across something AEV looking but made out of aluminum?

Thanks
Jason

 

[Black Dog]

Aluminum is quite a bit softer metal than steel, I'd be afraid of crumpling them the first time I was out on the trail. I think I'd stick with the heavier duty stuff personally.

 

[ntsqd]

It depends on the alloy used as to if it is softer than steel or not. If you've ever drilled a hole in 7075 you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Instead of thick steel use something sub 3/16" thick in an appropriate alloy like Core-10, Ten-X, or any of the other Abrasion Resistant (AR) alloys. Just be aware that not all AR alloys are also good with impact, which is a significant consideration.

 

[FreeManDan]

Aberle makes aluminium bumpers, and genright makes aluminum corner guards...I know thats not at all what you asked, but I just like to hear myself type. CLICK CLLAK-N-CLICK...CLACK, no seriously, even if they don't have ALUMINUM rocker guards on their web sites you could always email them and ask. OR, what I would do if I was hellbent on aluminum, I would try to find a local who could weld aluminum and see what they could do for me, and then bed line the crap out of the finished product CLICK CLLAK-N-CLICK...CLACK

 

[alosix]

I've found that big daddy offroad makes them in 1/4" 6061 I think. Time for some more research..

In the years I've had the AEV ones on I've never had a 'hard' impact on them. I just don't think I end up wheeling that way.

the passenger side one is pretty scraped up from this incident:

Otherwise.. all of the other damage on them is from weather/rust.

 

[tacomadave]

http://www.genright.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=CNR2012

Woops linked wrong thing.

http://www.bigdaddyoffroad.com/product_info.php?products_id=96

 

[Black Dog]

I wonder if a solid chunk of aluminum rather than a tube would still be any lighter than a steel tube? It would be strong as hell and be less likely to crumple, probably more so that steel even.

 

[roadkill]

http://www.savvyoffroad.com/

aluminum base plate and stainless or chromemoly slider portion.

 

[tacomadave]

http://www.savvyoffroad.com/

aluminum base plate and stainless or chromemoly slider portion.

aluminum base plate attached to a stainless steel slider? mixed with north east winters, salted highways, thats an invitation for galvanic corrosion isn't it?

 

[alosix]

aluminum base plate attached to a stainless steel slider? mixed with north east winters, salted highways, thats an invitation for galvanic corrosion isn't it?

Indeed, but if you don't take them apart does it matter?

So far I like the BDO versions and have seen them for much cheaper than they list them for.

Jason

 

[Lewybrewing]

The slider really saved your door in the pic above...

 

[winkosmosis]

I've often thought about skid plates made of aluminum for strength, covered with UHMW plastic for impact and sliding

 

[alosix]

I've often thought about skid plates made of aluminum for strength, covered with UHMW plastic for impact and sliding

That's pretty normal for competitive rock crawling/racing. Take a look at the bottom of most KOH buggies. They'll have mostly just UMHW plastic or Derlin bellies. Most won't even have much support. The stuff will bend and deform a bit, but normally not enough to worry about.

I'm starting to think about going the plastic route under the 725 when i get to building that (with supports). Weight on that thing is going to be very important.

I think I'll give the BDO ones a go and see how they work out. Now.. I just need to bug them and see if they'll send out a blank set so I can use my current AEV hardware.

Jason