Installing Diamond Plate Corner Guards...

[trailboss]

Hey all...picked up a set of diamond plate corner guards for my 98 Sahara. They have the holes cut out for the taillights, gas cap, etc. I'll have to drill holes for the hardware. My question is: What is the best way to attach them to the body? They come with stainless steel, self tapping screws. Is this the best way to go? Should I look at a rivet tool? Small bolts? And should I bother with some kind of gasket to go between the guard and the body? Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

[BlueFlame]

You can rivet them (but you need to seal the rivets) or screw them or bolt them or attach them with double stick 3m body tape or a layer of silicone, whatever you prefer. Entirely personal preference.
I would seriously consider something to gasket them from the body, or some day in the future the body metal behind them will disintegrate from rust. Can't tell you how many jeeps I've seen with terrible rear corner cancer from guards.

[trailboss]

Thanks for the advice! Does that 3M body tape work that well? I believe the guards will be, basically, held on well by the bolts from the taillight assembly...the body tape would keep them from flapping around. I just got the guards to protect the body from the trees and branches on tight trails...nothing hardcore. Is the body tape that strong?

[hawaii]

If there are holes drilled, just use them. Drill them out with a countersunk bit and then put some countersunk bolts in, and run a bead of RTV or silicone around the edge to keep water out.

[trailboss]

No holes drilled in the guards, for the fasteners...just for the gas cap and some pass-thrus for the bolts that hold the taillight housings on. So...I have a choice to make here. Use the existing holes and 3M body tape for the rest or drill holes along the edge of the guards for bolts/rivets....

[Stu Olson]

First, I would not be countersinking any holes. IMHO, there isn't enough metal to properly support that kind of technique.

I would use a button head bolt to attach the guards. It is a proven method that works very reliably.

Here is a write-up of the corner guard install I did on my '98 TJ. Read through it....there are plenty of details photos and you will get an idea of how it was done and what was involved.


Good luck and be sure to post up some pics when you are done!

[Knuckelhead]

Originally Posted by Stu Olson

I would use a button head bolt to attach the guards. It is a proven method that works very reliably.

Here is a write-up of the corner guard install I did on my '98 TJ. Read through it....there are plenty of details photos and you will get an idea of how it was done and what was involved.

That's how I did mine and it does work well. Be sure to primer and paint the holes you drill in the tub...

[ImNotStuck]

What a waste of another jeep... Here comes the rust

[trailboss]

Originally Posted by ImNotStuck

What a waste of another jeep... Here comes the rust

Hmmm...so all those Jeeps out there, running corners and rockers and other armor are wastes? Proper install should prevent that. Considering the beating my paint is taking from narrow trails lately, this should fall under the category of "prevention".

[trailboss]

Thanks for the advice guys! Stu, those are nicely done! I'll have to pick up some of those bolts later. I *thought* the diamond plate was a bit thin for countersinking.

Have to get some self etching primer and black paint: not a big fan of the shiny stuff.

Originally Posted by Stu Olson

First, I would not be countersinking any holes. IMHO, there isn't enough metal to properly support that kind of technique.

I would use a button head bolt to attach the guards. It is a proven method that works very reliably.

Here is a write-up of the corner guard install I did on my '98 TJ. Read through it....there are plenty of details photos and you will get an idea of how it was done and what was involved.


Good luck and be sure to post up some pics when you are done!

[MFortie]

Mine are bolted on with button head allen screws with flanged locknuts on the inside. I clamped mine into place, drilled the holes I had marked on the corner guards, then pulled them off to POR15 the drilled holes and the backside of the corner guards. The outside of the corner guards are matched to the body color. The top and side edges where they meet the body are sealed with a bead of silicone; the bottom is left open for "drainage".

I'll never take them off so I don't care much about the body underneath; in fact, I was 'liberal' with the POR15 on the body, which should help mitigate any rust. Living in So Cal doesn't hurt either...

[nsmerilli]

Is the diamond plate just to protect the paint? it's not thick enough to stop it from dents is it? If I where going to drill holes in my tub to protect it I would get real armor. IMO.

[nuclearstrife]

I have a set installed on mine with Rivets and Silicone in behind. Been running them for almost 2 years and definitely holding up well.

[Unlimited04]

if you use rivets, pay attention to what rivets you get. most rivets are hollow because the core comes out. this means you've got a bunch of little holes through your tub for weather to get in. make sure to get structural rivets...in aluminum or stainless if you can find them.

[trailboss]

Originally Posted by nsmerilli

Is the diamond plate just to protect the paint? it's not thick enough to stop it from dents is it? If I where going to drill holes in my tub to protect it I would get real armor. IMO.

Yes: just protection from branches and stuff slapping against the jeep on the trail. I don't do rocks or anything crazy. For some reason: my corner paint takes a beating...so I got the corner guards for protection and because they look pretty good too. Plus they were cheap....$75 bucks for the 2 corners (with cutouts)and the under-tailgate sill plate...or "valance" or whatever ya call it...

Not too bad...I like to save money for *gas* so I can drive her!