Warn Rock Slider Installation
		CONTENTS 1) Vehicle Setup 2) Overview / Performance Review 3) Installation 1) VEHICLE SETUP BEFORE INSTALL o Rubicon Express 2" Budget Boost o Spidertrax 1.25" Wheel Spacers o 32x11.50 BFG Mud Terrain Tires The Rock Sliders do not require pre-installation of any other components. 2) OVERVIEW / PERFORMANCE REVIEW After a few close calls on the trail it was obvious body armor would be necessary for the TJ. This is a good idea in general for Jeeps that are taken off-road, but especially pertinent for "lower" Jeeps that are at stock ride height or running a 2" lift. Purpose: The purpose of the Rock Sliders (aka rock rails, rocker guard, rock knockers, rocker protectors, etc.) is to provide protection for your Jeep's rocker panels. The rocker protection should be strong enough to support the weigh of the Jeep. Cheap diamond plate aluminum appliqué will not cut it. Construction and Build Description: The Warn Rock Sliders are a very well made unit of 3/16" thick plate steel that is bent and formed with a bulbous, rounded lower corner (Fig. 3). This corner is about 3/4 worth of a round tube that would be 2" in diameter and help prevent the sliders from getting hung up on obstructions. The rounded edges takes advantage of sectional properties to increase the strength of the rock rail. The Rock Sliders extend from just under the door opening and continue under the body approximately 2" (Fig. 4). 5 Bolts secure the top edge to the side sheet metal and three bolts secure the bottom of the slider to the floor. Due to the contours of the floor, steel posts are used for a tight fit (Fig. 5). All bolt holes, sloped ends, under body fitment, and logos are precision laser cut (Fig. 6, 7). You do not need to modify the Rock Slider at all. It is powder coated a nice black that works well with any color TJ and matches the other trim on our rigs. The fitment of the Rock Sliders are spot on. Once the side "fenderettes" are removed they slip in pefectly between the fender flares. There is little to no gap between the pieces (Fig. 7). Performance Issues: Examining how the slider would take an impact it is apparent that they are a good design that distributes the impact force over strong areas of the Jeep body. Again, taking advantage of inherent sectional properties, the force of impact would be distributed where the corrugated floor meets the side of the Jeep body. This folded 'L' shape is a strong location. The Warn Rock Sliders do not extend as far under the body of the TJ as other manufacturer's designs yet I believe they offer adequate protection. If you have a rock that manages to damage the floor of your Jeep beyond the edge of the rock sliders you have bigger problems on your hands, namely your body mounts that will be thrashed. The same problem with heavier designs extending further under the body. One of the other things I liked about these Rock Sliders is the relative low weight. Each Rock Slider weighed 22 lb. compared to 30 - 40 lb. for other manufacturer's designs. This worked out to be a 44lb. addition to the Jeep instead of a 60 - 80 lb. weight gain. Keeping weight down is always a good goal since it puts lest stress on components and requires less power to move around. Every bit adds up. Price Point: Considering how strong these Rock Sliders are, the quality and clean detailing, and good fitment the cost of them is very reasonable. The Warns come in at approximately $200 for the pair. Similar rock sliders by Sun Performance can be had for $260. Other designs which are heavier with built in steps reach $280 - $300 and up. Rocker Gaskets: Tough Stuff makes a special gasket for rock rails that bolt to the body and is highly recommended for this installation (regardless of what rockrail you go with). It fits between the inside face of the Rock Slider and the side of the Jeep body. This gasket will seal out grit and prevent the metal on metal contact that will cause this type of rock rail to rub right through your paint creating a rust condition.
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