do rockers give any structure?

[BUCKYXJ]

Do the rockers add any structural integrity to the rig? Is it ok to remove it and put in steel plate?
I am thinking outside the box here.
DIG IT!

 

[CheapXJ]

Do the rockers add any structural integrity to the rig? Is it ok to remove it and put in steel plate?
I am thinking outside the box here.
DIG IT!

many have done that.

I used pipe for my rockers... love it!

 

[BUCKYXJ]

no many havn't done what I am thinking of.

 

[Fore Wheeler]

well then share with us so we know what you're talking about.

 

[dennisuello]

Do the rockers add any structural integrity to the rig? Is it ok to remove it and put in steel plate?
I am thinking outside the box here.
DIG IT!

they do add structural rigidity, so if cut them out replace with something strong, like square tube.

 

[Rev Den]

If you are replacing them with steel plate in the same plan as the original material, I do not see a problem. If this is not your intention, post some specifics and i am sure you will get additional information.

FWIW - I used 2X1/4 pipe, go pipe or stay home.

Rev

 

[BUCKYXJ]

Ok I was thinking cut out the rockers completely and put in 3/8" or 1/4" plate going from just below the door like 1/2" below the door and then angle the plate back to the unibody rail. think it would work or not has anyone done anything like this?

 

[JCSXJ]

I don't know if anybody has do it, but I was thinking about doing it to. Let us know how it comes out if you decide to hack it up!

 

[Jes]

To give you an idea, this is what you have to work with once you cut the rocker panels out...

Jes

 

[Fore Wheeler]

this is the rear end after I welded mine in, I left more of the pinch seam than Jes did to give that extra bend for strength. The angle is to make up for the wedge shape of the original rocker - thicker in the rear by 'bout 5/8"

 

[JeepFreak21]

no many havn't done what I am thinking of.

So... you're not talking about something like this?
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=120327&postcount=4

 

[BUCKYXJ]

Take this pic and take out the rectangle tubing and raise the braces to where they end just below the door line and cover with steel plate. Do you understand? Its really hard to freakin explain

 

[Eagle]

No, it's easy to explain. You want to remove a length of contoured heavy gauge sheet metal and replace it with a length of heavier gauge, non-contoured sheet metal.

What you're describing should work. If that's what you want to do, go for it. The basic answer to your original question is, Yes ... the rocker panels do add structure. They are MUCH heavier gauge than most body panels. But they are sheet metal, they are certainly not 1/4" steel plate.

 

[xj92]

I took this from madxj's site and modified the picture, is this what you're talking about? Except cutting more away all the way to the rail? You'd have to cut your floorboard. If you cut away like shown here, or even more back to the floorboard and then welded it I think it would hold up ok.

 

[CRASH]

I took this from madxj's site and modified the picture, is this what you're talking about? Except cutting more away all the way to the rail? You'd have to cut your floorboard. If you cut away like shown here, or even more back to the floorboard and then welded it I think it would hold up ok.

If that's what he is talking about, it's not going to hold up. I had a length of 1/4" stock contoured to the shape of my rockers and bolted in vertically and horizontally, and it still bent.

Flat stock wouldn't stand a chance.

CRASH

 

[BUCKYXJ]

yes that is what I am talking about but going all the way to the framerails.

 

[Fore Wheeler]

you're going to have to box it in somehow, the outter edge of the rocker won't hold up to much abuse.

 

[BUCKYXJ]

Even eith bracing?

 

[MaXJohnson]

Kinda like an extended belly pan. Not a bad idea if you could solve weight and drainage problems. Just throwing 1/4" steel at a problem is not very efficient.

 

[Weasel]

Crash, did you put anything in the space between the rocker and the rest of the body? What bent? The rocker? I'm halfway done with drawing up my contoured rockers. I was thinking of using 3/16 but I'm going to stuff the inside with some sort of plastic to keep the rocker from crushing.

I have a pic but for some reason we can't post attachments.