|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Short Cuts | |
|
|
||
By: Greg Colburn - 11/2002
|
|
Slide the notched end in to the middle-side body mount. |
|
|
Just clamp the Rocker Knocker to the side of the Jeep to use for a drill template, and tighten. |
|
|
Remove the front splash guard to access the fender bolt. |
|
|
A view from the inside- A clean install. |
After a few close calls with the local rocks and stumps, I did some research in to the subject of rocker panel protection. After talking to some manufacturers local and elsewhere, I realized that most rocker panel protection meant either hacking my flares, or installing TJ flares. I decided that I was not quite ready to attack my flares with a saw, or swap my Xenon flares for a set of TJ flares.
Avalanche Engineering has solved this problem with there Rocker Knocker Guards. They can be ordered in either a 3/16" or 1/4" thickness, but with only a few bucks difference I went with the 1/4". They can be easily installed in about an hour with simple hand tools and a jack, and they have a good fit that does not require any driveway engineering. They come with all of the hardware, (however mine were accidentally shipped without the washers and nuts), and ship un-painted. They do not provide any instructions with the guards, however the install is pretty straight forward and only requires a drill and a few basic tools.
On to the Install
First off you need to put a color to them. I recommend powder coating for durability. After a trip to the local friendly powder coating shop it was on to the install.
Start off by loosening all of the body mounts on each side, front and back of the Jeep (11 total). Next remove the front fender flare extensions, and the bottom screw holding in the bottom of the front flare (this will help with the fit). Next jack up the side of the body that you are going to install the panel on and slide the notch cut in to the rocker panel in to the middle body mount between the body mount and the body. With the panel secured in to the body mount slot, re-install the flare extension with the original hardware on the outside of the panel (this should secure the panel to the Jeep). Repeat this process on the opposite side of the Jeep. Next, when both sides are secured to the body mount, and the flare extensions are re-mounted, tighten all 11 of the body mounts back to factory specifications.
At this point, you may want to affix a clamp to the side of the panel and the inside kick panel of the Jeep. Snug the panel to the side of the Jeep, and using the rocker panel for a template, drill 6 holes for the supplied 3/8" stainless bolts through the body. After each hole is drilled, install the supplied 3/8"x1" allen bolt through the panel and tighten snug. In order to tighten the front fender bolt, you will have to remove the rubber splashguard underneath the front fender to access and hold the opposite nut.
Once all hardware is attached, and it is snug against the body, tighten all bolts. The only thing left to do is to re-install the lower fender flare screw and you are done! You are now ready to hit the trails with out having to worry about what stump or rock is going to add you to its list of casualties
Summary
I believe that the Avalanche Rocker Knockers are a great bolt-on addition to any Jeep. Not only do they protect the entire rocker panel from damage, you get to hang on to your much needed ground clearance. The 1/4" A36 steel is strong enough to use as either a pivot point or as a jacking point, yet smooth enough to allow you to glide over most obstacles. The quality and fit of these guards, will ensure that they will be able to handle the toughest off-road trail that you can throw at them.
|
|
| The finished product- Clean looking, beefy and ready for anything you throw at them. | Here you can see the great coverage your rocker panels will now enjoy. |
| Contacts |
|
| Related Information: |