Savvy's new prototype aluminum rocker guards, LED tail lights installed

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-11-2009, 07:16 PM

If you liked Savvy's aluminum gas tank skidplate, you're gonna like these too!

I just got these three advance photos of Savvy's new prototype 6061 T-6 aluminum rockers with a replaceable
SS or mild steel slider mounted just this morning not far from my house. After me, you guys are the first to see them.

I have no idea when they'll start shipping since this is not a production model but it sure looks like they're very far along the prototype stage. From how it looks already, I'm betting they will be in production very soon.

Exciting stuff, I think we're seeing a real sea change on how we're able to protect our Jeeps without weighing them down like we used to with heavy steel armor. Nice stuff Blaine & Gerald, I think we're all about to get more savvy with our Jeep builds!

**Wheelin98TJ** · 07-11-2009, 07:23 PM

Very nice.

03rubiconMG · 07-11-2009, 07:25 PM

how strong are those compared to steel. they look beefy but its still aluminum.

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-11-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

how strong are those compared to steel. they look beefy but its still aluminum.

Not all aluminums are created equal, this is T-6 6061 which is not even close to being the same aluminum your screen door is made out of. The type of aluminum they are made out of is already very well proven, check out the thread at http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/new-gas-tank-skid-plate-can-you-say-aluminum-773797/ especially the final pages showing how it is holding up to some VERY tough rock crawling.

On top of that, the designer of these skids has been a long-time Johnson Valley wheeler (the hardest of the hard-core rock crawling areas) who has had a T-6 6061 aluminum engine skid under his TJ for many years and while it is well gouged up, it's not been dented.

No worries, this is not your grandmother's aluminum. Not to mention that Savvy's warranty is that if you can break them, they'll replace them.

Vandano · 07-11-2009, 07:38 PM

I guess we start critiquing these now.

They are very cool very unique looking and much like the other savvy products I WANT THEM.

My problem, i want them in black... and they seem like they need a little grip on top because of the slope.

Other then that yet another fantastic savvy product i will be waiting and saving for.

**glockster** · 07-11-2009, 07:38 PM

I'm sure strength will not be an issue.

Jerry, do you know if the plans include powder coating or more along the lines of the gas tank skid?

A question for Savvy tech support. Do you have a unlimited rubi to use as a beta tester?? I'm guessing your covered but being the team player I am, I'm here for ya......

**Jerry Bransford** · 07-11-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockster

Jerry, do you know if the plans include powder coating or more along the lines of the gas tank skid?

No idea, I know nothing other than what I've said above... questions will have to wait for Blaine and/or Gerald for when they get back home.

**Humboldt** · 07-11-2009, 07:49 PM

They're so sexy. The part that mounts to the body is aluminum. The actual rocker is steel, bolts on and is replaceable. Amazing craftsmanship and thought put into them.

Vandano · 07-11-2009, 07:53 PM

So steal bolt on step... Possibly different options of steps to use. GENIUS

We should all start speculating so when blaine and gerald come in they have pages of lies and false hopes to sort through.

**mrblaine** · 07-11-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

how strong are those compared to steel. they look beefy but its still aluminum.

The tub backer is 3/16's 6061 T6. If you look at it closely, you will notice a very slight bend across the top of it. That bend is there to roll the top edge slightly inwards so that portion will always touch the tub first and stop any waviness in the tub.

When we set up the press brake to do that bend on the first few, the brake had a little issue with the hose in the reservoir and would only put out 35 tons of 60 tons of rated pressure. It wouldn't do that bend at 35 tons.

The slider is made from 1/8" 304 S/S. If you look at the tonnage chart on a press brake, when you bend S/S it takes 1.5 times as much tonnage as mild steel. The slider is also reinforced along the bottom edge from the innermost part of the edge out to the start of the radius at the bottom with another piece of 1/8". That gives you 1/4" of Stainless Steel at the flat part and the generous radius of the slider will let it not dig into the rocks.

The top of the slider is angled upwards slightly and will act as a brace to the whole lower portion. The angle also stops birds from roosting on them and lets the rain run off plus it sticks out from the body just far enough to protect the door sill in the rocks.

All of the hardware is structural. No Allen head fasteners to be found anywhere. Since there are several places where you have to thread into nutserts, you have to achieve the correct clamping force from driving the fastener and you simply can't do that with flat head Allen S/S fasteners.

The slider can also be removed without removing the tub backer, flipped around and moved to the other side.

**Humboldt** · 07-11-2009, 08:01 PM

They look even sweeter with stock flares:

I'll delete if you want Blaine.

**mrblaine** · 07-11-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandano

I guess we start critiquing these now.

They are very cool very unique looking and much like the other savvy products I WANT THEM.

My problem, i want them in black... and they seem like they need a little grip on top because of the slope.

Other then that yet another fantastic savvy product i will be waiting and saving for.

They won't be offered in any finish at this point. They are easily painted or powdercoated or if you have a special fondness for the black hard anodize we do on the tail lights, that can be arranged for a fee of some sort.

Gerald is already out shopping for grip tape.

**Humboldt** · 07-11-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblaine

Gerald is already out shopping for grip tape.

I thought he used a ladder?

**mrblaine** · 07-11-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glockster

I'm sure strength will not be an issue.

No, strength is not an issue.

Quote:

Jerry, do you know if the plans include powder coating or more along the lines of the gas tank skid?

Just like the tank skid.

Quote:

A question for Savvy tech support. Do you have a unlimited rubi to use as a beta tester?? I'm guessing your covered but being the team player I am, I'm here for ya......

"We" actually do own a Rubicon Unlimited and figured this question would come up. We'll see how the demand goes before we develop them. The only way right now to inspire us, is get 10 committments with hefty deposits from 10 of your buddies and get in touch with us.

Vandano · 07-11-2009, 08:12 PM

Now back to the black anodizing. The tail light thread got a little technical on me and i may have passed over the info i was looking for. Does that anodizing hold up to sun and fading. Scratching isnt a huge issue as rocks are uncommon here but i like the look of them and the qualities of aluminum.