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View Full Version : Refinishing Craigslist Rock Sliders


alexb
October 17th, 2013, 01:20 PM
I've got no rocker protection currently, just some plastic steps so I've been browsing Craigslist for some cheap, second hand rock sliders.

I found this set, well loved but very cheap. They are the LJ Rubicon rocker protection with steps/side bars welded on. I spent last night cleaning them up.

How I started:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LDLGAk6dMgA/Ul9ZcLBQ6YI/AAAAAAAAdFA/o58jgsovlOw/w1088-h816-no/IMG_20131016_212755.jpg

I pulled off the rubber guard that goes between rocker guard and sheet metal and found that on one side, there was significant rust where the welded tubes met with the guard.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nPCqQt_Akg/Ul9Zd-JBryI/AAAAAAAAdFI/qc5FvUonYiw/w1088-h816-no/IMG_20131016_212801.jpg

And here you can see where it was dragged along many a rock. The tubes were scratched, but no major bends. No bends in any of the diamond plate giving me a nice square line to mount to my Jeep.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-UVzugobu454/Ul9ZfS8kZoI/AAAAAAAAdFQ/umH2nmJcxnw/w1088-h816-no/IMG_20131016_212820.jpg

Now imagine awesome pictures of me shooting sparks across the garage with an angle grinder. Then many pictures of me using a drill with a wire brush attachment. Follow that up with some clean up and spray paint and you get this. :wrench:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b3MeHDjHl0c/Ul_vNA02jhI/AAAAAAAAdFs/nlLkQHu4geU/w1088-h816-no/IMG_20131017_080700.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MPBXCGDOG4o/Ul_vPK2J7DI/AAAAAAAAdF4/2oISAOd6ZhE/w1088-h816-no/IMG_20131017_080720.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YRBjGA6k0CI/Ul_vmhxmZjI/AAAAAAAAdGQ/StuqR9mgEWU/w612-h816-no/IMG_20131017_080817.jpg

I'm hoping to get them mounted up maybe Sunday (give the paint a few days to dry). I've got a new nutsert tool to use to get them mounted in, new tool to try out. I also have to go clean rust off of the rubber liner; it is surprising how stubborn that stuff hangs on to even rubber when it's been there a while.
ctracy5
October 17th, 2013, 01:29 PM
Nice, they like new
Patrolman
October 17th, 2013, 02:01 PM
Nice work! I am sure they will look even better on your rig!
Lucy07
October 17th, 2013, 02:31 PM
Nice!
Chris
October 17th, 2013, 03:19 PM
Nice Alex! Now get them on so you bang them up! :D
Jim
October 17th, 2013, 04:47 PM
Now get them on so you bang them up!

:thumb:
carpenle
October 17th, 2013, 05:26 PM
Looks really nice, great job!
Shane
October 17th, 2013, 06:35 PM
Right on, they look like new!
94ToyBear
October 17th, 2013, 06:51 PM
Puuuurty !
Shane
October 17th, 2013, 07:13 PM
Now you have to break'em in
Rob
October 17th, 2013, 11:01 PM
Alex, let me know if you want me to swing over to help with the install.
AdventureReady
October 17th, 2013, 11:33 PM
Looks good, Alex! If you need jack stands/floor jack to align them for the install, let me know!
colozj93
October 18th, 2013, 10:51 AM
they turned out looking good
alexb
October 23rd, 2013, 01:03 PM
Alex, let me know if you want me to swing over to help with the install.

Thanks for the offer! If I get to where I can schedule it in advance, I'll be sure and ask. Definitely would appreciate extra hands. :)


As it is, it turns out everything you read on the internet isn't true! :eek:

I've got to go get some different mounting hardware before I can even attempt the install. I'm going to head to Fastenal and see if I can find M6 nutserts. Sigh.
alexb
October 23rd, 2013, 01:04 PM
Looks good, Alex! If you need jack stands/floor jack to align them for the install, let me know!

Thanks for the offer! I'll let you know if I need them.
alexb
October 27th, 2013, 02:31 PM
Long day yesterday, but I got the sliders on. Lots of firsts for me.

Removed the little stub panel. I can joke that new sliders are how I fixed this small scratch.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DxfT8dtGsSo/Um1omVUrsNI/AAAAAAAAdao/8_VGSFyhhSk/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_120127.jpg

Weird sticker left behind - clear and trapped dirt behind it.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zMuR-xcCV3Y/Um1omQDQWpI/AAAAAAAAdao/GIcpi7_C_Lg/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_120134.jpg

Drilling holes in the body.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VVAV6t746A8/Um1omb9SL8I/AAAAAAAAdao/n8Vw-rj_D4A/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_135739.jpg

Two of the Six holes on each side went into the passenger compartment.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nIQe1KGx7tQ/Um1omfsHuiI/AAAAAAAAdao/4JwOc_RpqGM/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_135845.jpg

Back shot of the nutserts inserted into the body. Bad picture, it's the little silver nub to the left side of the photo.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i8O8IeaFQ6k/Um1omZMxLRI/AAAAAAAAdao/4ovvFdv5f-k/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_154231.jpg


Left side went on pretty easy. The right side required much effort to make it on. Looks good now.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3NNHuhNumM4/Um1omSQHvrI/AAAAAAAAdao/ccpFQsL-Kis/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_154220.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--6Z_EQIrfRY/Um1omcwD-aI/AAAAAAAAdao/GxXZXxwrcH4/w559-h419-no/IMG_20131026_175417.jpg

Shows the angle really well.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-c65KW2JeLiU/Um1omV_aqFI/AAAAAAAAdao/b_sBE2oei00/w341-h455-no/IMG_20131026_175427.jpg
Jackie
October 27th, 2013, 02:38 PM
They look great!
xaza
October 27th, 2013, 03:52 PM
Very nice!
ctracy5
October 27th, 2013, 04:22 PM
those look great
Patrolman
October 27th, 2013, 04:55 PM
Nice work. Look like new!
Shane
October 28th, 2013, 12:10 AM
Look'in good!
Popsgarage
October 28th, 2013, 12:33 AM
Nice!
Java
October 28th, 2013, 11:14 AM
good job Alex!! Those look great, and look like they'll more than do the job. Great find!
alexb
October 28th, 2013, 01:35 PM
Those look great, and look like they'll more than do the job.

They support me jumping on them and rocking the entire Jeep which is a pretty good initial test. Step in height is a couple inches taller, but the kids can still do it. :)

A couple days of effort and about $100 all said and done.
carpenle
October 28th, 2013, 03:58 PM
about $100 all said and done

You can't beat that, great job.