Rock Sliders / Body Damage, Truth or BS?
- Thread starter sgregg108
- Start date
SoCal Tom
Explorer
I think the design of the sliders should be considered as well. I have some older Body Armor sliders that bolt to the pinch seam. They are basically a steel 2x4, with a tubing popout. Since the area under the body is flat, it would spread any impact across a very wide area, unlike the ones pictured earlier, which just had tubing under the body.
Tom
Tom
Dozilla
Observer
I will be doing the exhaust spacer instead of the DS. $60 vs $500 (plus shipping - 150?).
I would think yes - to an extent. You could run the 2.5" lift without the exhaust spacer or the DS swap... but as you flex (drop the axle) you'll slowly wear out the boot until it fails. Having busted my front DS on my 07, driving out, or trying to, sucks with only the rear and no lockers. I basically got pulled everywhere until we hit hard trail again.
I was never really interested in the 2.5". I love the look of a lifted jeep, and wanted the belly clearance. In this situation, it's purely based on looks. Sure there's a slim chance I'll go with 37s or something extreme in a few years... but mostly it's because I like the look. I'm vain, sue me.
I did the exhaust spacers with my 3.5' AEV lift and it works like a charm!
Donny
Dozilla
Observer
I will say that LOD has some great sliders that have a good step area and are frame bolt-in or weld-on I would guess...AZ rock crawlers types like the EVO sliders but they are pure weld-on..
My big question would be this..."Why don't the Toyota and Land Rover folks have this argument?" ....I think its because they just haven't needed them because of their being Overlanders that don't really plan for the rock crawling experience that many Jeep folks do.
With my rig built as it is...if the difference between me and body damage is 3-4" then I shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. I like using my rock crawling capable jeep for Overlanding because I feel very secure that if a bad unplanned for situation arises that I will be able to safely get my family to our destination.
Donny
My big question would be this..."Why don't the Toyota and Land Rover folks have this argument?" ....I think its because they just haven't needed them because of their being Overlanders that don't really plan for the rock crawling experience that many Jeep folks do.
With my rig built as it is...if the difference between me and body damage is 3-4" then I shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. I like using my rock crawling capable jeep for Overlanding because I feel very secure that if a bad unplanned for situation arises that I will be able to safely get my family to our destination.
Donny
Justincredible
Adventurer
I have a set of Smittybilt sliders (look a lot like the Rubicon sliders) and they're fine for using a high lift jack on and they've taken a few pretty good hits as well with no damage to the body or sliders, but if I were to drop the full weight of the Jeep on a rock the body would definitely take some damage.
One day I will get Ace sliders to work in conjunction with the Smittybuilts. That setup will be stronger than I'll ever need.
One day I will get Ace sliders to work in conjunction with the Smittybuilts. That setup will be stronger than I'll ever need.
toxicity_27
Adventurer
I'll be going with the Shrockworks sliders when the time comes. I've heard good things about them, and they bolt to the frame.
Just be prepared to order, and pay for them a year before you actually recieve them. Shrockworks is slow at shipping their product.
toxicity_27
Adventurer
That's what I've heard.
I have had a Nissan and a Toyota. You would be hard pressed to find a sliders buit for them that mounts to the body. Almost all of them are frame mount or weld on.
You don't see the argument of body verses frame mounted with other vehicles because they don't usually have that option. Jeeps are one of the few vehicles that have a square rocker panel, that makes it really easy to build a slider that bolts right to the body. They also have 3 body mounts in a relatively short space underneath, that is also another really easy, good option to mount to. Most other vehicles have rounded rocker panels and only two body mounts over a larger span, that pretty much leaved frame mounted sliders as the only option.
All have their strengths and weaknesses, I plan to build a set for my jeep and haven't completely decided on witch route to go, but I'm thinking of attaching at the body mounts and the body itself.
All have their strengths and weaknesses, I plan to build a set for my jeep and haven't completely decided on witch route to go, but I'm thinking of attaching at the body mounts and the body itself.