[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

A 3/8" aluminum backing plate inside? Holy smoke I'm surprised no one has mentioned that!

It's 3/8" x 2 1/2" tall and that double row of bolts under the doors is bolted through it. Of course, it's also 6061 T6 rectangular bar stock.

[Sweeney]

Nicely done, again, guys.

I had the Sun Performance rockers on my '98 TJ and loved them. They performed well and I really liked the profile with the 'bulbous' lower edge. These Savvy rockers have a similar profile though utilize better materials.

I'm in an LJ now and will wait to see if the market will support production of the LJ version... I'm 'in' if it does.

For those looking for a step. It's clear to me that the Savvy design lends itself to the addition of a step onto the slider. Picture it bolted over the slider utilizing some of the existing fastener locations. It could be removed for play time. Another option would be a welded version though it would be a potential point to get hung upon.

I'm not suggesting that Savvy offer this, but, for those that want a step it could be a fairly simple project to make or have made.

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by Sweeney

Nicely done, again, guys.

I had the Sun Performance rockers on my '98 TJ and loved them. They performed well and I really liked the profile with the 'bulbous' lower edge. These Savvy rockers have a similar profile though utilize better materials.

I had them as well and really liked them for the most part. I didn't like the lack of protection underneath and paid dearly for that with a collapsed floor area. I didn't like the lack of protection under the flares and paid for that with some damaged sheet metal there as well. I also managed get the door sill a few times because they didn't stick out quite far enough, but they were still a great slider.

I'm in an LJ now and will wait to see if the market will support production of the LJ version... I'm 'in' if it does.

We're hoping as well. "We" have an Unlimited that really needs these and Gerald will be grumpy if we don't build him a set.

For those looking for a step. It's clear to me that the Savvy design lends itself to the addition of a step onto the slider. Picture it bolted over the slider utilizing some of the existing fastener locations. It could be removed for play time. Another option would be a welded version though it would be a potential point to get hung upon.

I'm not suggesting that Savvy offer this, but, for those that want a step it could be a fairly simple project to make or have made.

I'm not anti-step. I'm anti-anything that will get hung up in the rocks. If I make something that sticks out far enough to be a step, it's going to extend out past the slider and will be a hang point. If I make a longer version that pivots up out of the way, it will be above the door opening and someone will try to close the door on it and be really unhappy with me.

Trust me, if I could come up with a design that was functional in all aspects without some serious compromises to the rail function, I'd do it and be more than happy to offer it as an option.

[Savvy]

Here are some pix of the fully install rockers

They are designed to fit really tight no matter how bent up your existing tub is. A neat little trick Blaine did to ensure the edge is tight






The inside backing plate

[mrblaine]

Originally Posted by 03rubiconMG

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

There's quite a bit of misunderstanding about the strengths of stuff. This picture should help with why I do things the way I do them.

This is Johnson Valley, that is a TJ, the rock rails are steel. Notice the high level of deformation. I don't want that to happen to anyone else, so I make stuff that won't happen to.

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by provelogear

The inside backing plate

Sweeeeet. Looks like I better start thinking of how I'm gonna straighten my tub/rockers out enough to get a set of them installed hopefully sometime this year once I get the Jeep driveable again.

This may finally give me a reason to pull my Hi-Lift jack out of the back corner of my shed as it might be the right tool for this particular job. The black widow spider that took up residence in it several years ago isn't gonna be happy one bit.

[Deacon]

I really like what I see here.

My problem is deciding whether I want to sacrifice everyday practicality (since it's a daily driver) for hard-core rock crawling principles, and I'm having a hard time with the sacrifice. I want to, but I don't think I can. It NEEDS the ability to act as a step. At 6'6" I can manage, but most people need a good place to anchor to step up into the Jeep, and dating a girl who's 5'4" brings that into sharp replief. I realize I haven't seen it in person, so maybe it's usable as a step with some grip tape, but it looks more like a rock-climber's toe hold than a real step. Surely there's got to be something we can do about it.

Why couldn't there be a step bolted to the underside of the rocker that we could then just unbolt real quick before hitting the rocks, basically like a removable nerf bar? Shoot, a single piece of steel tube bent into a U shape would suffice. Would two or four bolt holes on the underside significantly really weaken its structural integrity? Or could existing holes be used? Consider that the bar only needs to hold the weight of a person, not the weight of the Jeep, as you'd take them off before wheeling. Worst case scenario, I could see installing some frame-mounted steps if I could find any that are quick and easy to remove.

Blaine, Gerald, whether it's a product you make and sell or a recommendation for someone else's part to add to the mix, finding a solution to the problem of a missing step I think will be a very good thing for your sales, as people like me don't have to agonize over the decision and instead only have to agonize over coming up with the money

[Jerry Bransford]

Originally Posted by Firekite

Why couldn't there be a step bolted to the underside of the rocker (nut welded to the back, I assume) that we could then just unbolt before hitting the rocks, basically like a (short) removable nerf bar? Would two or four bolt holes on the underside significantly really weaken its structural integrity? Consider that the bar only needs to hold the weight of a person, not the weight of the Jeep, as you'd take them off before wheeling.

How about installing a stirrup that stays inside until flipped out when needed by your girlfriend? http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/body/step03/

[Savvy]

Jerry,

We'll have to get some on before our season starts! A 3 pounder will work wonders on the tub.

[Deacon]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

How about installing a stirrup that stays inside until flipped out when needed by your girlfriend? http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/body/step03/

That's an original idea, but it seems a little silly and requires some basic amount of grace and athleticism to use, and not all my friends are terribly graceful (not to mention thin).

A U-bend (or like |_| bend) mild steel tube (or whatever's cheapest) that bolts to the bottom of the slider or to the frame, and that can hold up a person and be fairly removed and then later re-mounted, is all I need. And I think that would satisfy the others who are clamoring for step functionality.

[SpeedJeep]

It seems to stick out further than I first thought. Which is a good thing. I would just feel better if the top was square instead of rounded, I could then place some grip tape on it and at least pretend it was a step.

I at least have to show that I "tried" to accomodate my wife. I could then blame her inability to get in the Jeep on her, not the Jeep.

[Jebussaves0]

Originally Posted by Firekite

That's an original idea, but it seems a little silly and requires some basic amount of grace and athleticism to use, and not all my friends are terribly graceful (not to mention thin).

A U-bend (or like |_| bend) mild steel tube (or whatever's cheapest) that bolts to the bottom of the slider or to the frame, and that can hold up a person and be fairly removed and then later re-mounted, is all I need. And I think that would satisfy the others who are clamoring for step functionality.

While I like the step functionality, I would NOT like that on my jeep. What you are asking for would not be hard to fabricate at all. If you like that then I would get the Savvy sliders and pay someone to weld in the simple tab for the step (it would be cheap).

[SpeedJeep]

You could cut two slots in it and hang a temporary shelf on it (like rubbermaid wire shelving) so the wife can get in and out. Leave the shelf behind the seat when not in use. Pay no attention to me. I'm just thinking outloud.

[bfr]

prediction...
Savvy rockers become succesful, and gain the attention of a large "cheapo" jeep accessory company.
The large "cheapo" jeep accessory company starts selling knock-offs that look similar, but are poorly constructed using inferior materials.
A knock-off of the knock-off is eventually produced that is made of .05" aluminum sheet attached to the tub using 3M double sided tape.
For an additional fee consumers will be able to order their knock-off of a knock-off "rocker guards" polished.

[BubbaGoose]

Entirely possible,
but my prediction is there will be plenty of people
that appreciate quality, vision, & innovation.

Savvy will prosper
on a customer base of rabid fans
who accept no cheap ripoffs.