Enjoying browsing this forum. Lots smaller than jeepforum but I'm a small-town kinda person.

I have an 03 Rubi and am interested in building up my rockerpanels. I had thought about just replacing them outright, but I tried them out with a 3# sledge hammer from below and they held up ok. I hear they do not have that much lateral strength though.

I had seen the A to Z fabrication rocker panels (http://atozfabrication.com/rockers.htm) and liked the design. Mattafact, I have them on my shopping list, but then the frugal bug bit me and I thought to myself why not just weld up the tubing on to the stock rockers? Is this not a good idea and for much less coin than purchasing new?!

Also curious as to whether the stock rockers either with or without the reinforcing tubing would be a suitable hi-lift jack/tow point.

Thanks in advance!

http://atozfabrication.com/images/rocker.jpg

You are right about the strength of the stock rockers on the rubicons. They are plenty strong when hit from the bottom, but the first time you lean into something from the side, they are worthless (trust me, I know). The weakest point is the last 8 or 10" to the rear of the jeep. If you bent and welded in some tubing, it would make them stiffer, but I would still question the strenth of them due to the lack of support at the tail end.

Personally, I sold my OE rockers after I bent the drivers side and bought some from Sun Performance.

welding a set of tubes on mine right now I will let you know how they hold up . I also make ones out of 3/16 plate and 1 1/2 " .095 wall tubing . I'll btt the post . Give me a call if your interested ! And dont forget to ask about your MJR discount !!!!!

JIM :{>