Rusty's JLU Off-Road SideStep Rocker Armor Full Installation & Review

[noreserve]

I recently purchased a set of Rusty's sliders and wanted to highlight a few things:

1. I ordered online on April 6th and they were at my house via UPS on the 8th! I have never had that kind of turnaround from any similar type of order. This was a 97 pound box. Granted, they are in AL and I'm in GA, but man, that was lightening fast. No shipping charge at that.

2. The quality of these exceeded my expectations. Absolutely top-notch powder coating and quality items. Packed great as well. They are solid beasts. They function great as a step to be able to not only get into the Jeep, but to get up at the roof rack items without a step stool or using the ladder. They will also provide great door ding protection that the stock Rubicon sliders did not. Those stockers were a bit heavier than I would have guessed, coming in at 27 lbs. The net weight addition of the Rusty's sliders was around 43 lbs. With 0.188 DOM tubing and 3/16 steel, these will also serve well as side-impact protection. The Rusty's sliders have some beefy box sections that fit into the body mount frame-mounted hooded sections - total of 10 bolted attachment points and the front body mount bolt on each side, not to mention the strength of the box section fitment. They are solid as a rock.

3. I love the look of them. I made up my mind after watching JeepDawg's Youtube installation and walk around video. It took me longer to install these than I care to admit, but I am slow and methodical. I definitely didn't want to break any body mount bolts or screw up on drilling. That passenger front body mount was ridiculously tight (red Loctite) - much more so than the driver's side, so not sure what's up there. Drilling took more than a couple of bits. That is tough steel, combined with the frame mounts and tough angles was a challenge. Even with a helper not named "Jack", it was enough to make for a sore body the next day. All worth it though, once finished.

I have no affiliation with Rusty's - just wanted to give a shout-out to them for a great product and outstanding response time. I'll be looking at them for future product possibilities.

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[Fast-n-Furious]

Actually I was about to buy the same sliders last June, when they were only priced at $999 or $1000 ish. Watched the same video for installation. I like their look.

I tired to contact Rustys on Facebook and by email asking about the sliders, no response at all. That turned me away. And I decided to go with the Shrockworks frame mount sliders and super happy. They did charge $178 for shipping. The total is still under $1000 though. Sad thing is Shrockworks is out of business now.

 

[sstuner]

Great video, Thanks

 

[COJeeper]

These look awesome and could be just what I want! However, I’m on the fence about purchasing another Rusty’s product. I bought their spare tire tailgate hung replacement and it was a PITA to install. I was missing bolts which I ended up just buying from the hardware store. And the absolute worst of it is that the thing squeaks horrendously! Their customer service was excellent. They worked with me on the bolts and we came to an agreement that they’d send me new oil free bearings. However, to get those bearings replaced, I have to take the whole damn thing off! I’ve been procrastinating on doing it because I hated installing it. I should just do it this weekend and put it behind me. Their customer service was really great though I thought.

 

[COJeeper]

Actually I was about to buy the same sliders last June, when they were only priced at $999 or $1000 ish. Watched the same video for installation. I like their look.

I tired to contact Rustys on Facebook and by email asking about the sliders, no response at all. That turned me away. And I decided to go with the Shrockworks frame mount sliders and super happy. They did charge $178 for shipping. The total is still under $1000 though. Sad thing is Shrockworks is out of business now.

Facebook sucks. All social media sucks. I got responses from them quickly with email and you can also reach them by phone. I think they’re pretty old school and aren’t all about social media and influencers.

 

[Albertaktm]

Looks goods. I took a set off and put Mopar running boards as I like the dirt gravel protection it gives.

 

[JP52]

Thanks to the OP for posting his review. I'm considering Rusty's sliders and I want to get people's opinions about how they mount. It looks like the front mount is bolted to the body mount bolt and to the frame bracket below. Wont this prevent the body from flexing independent of the frame? This defeats the purpose of the body mount to allow for some flexing. It seems that by connecting the body mount to the frame there will be an awful lot of extra force that has to go somewhere. The other mounts are bolted to the frame bracket on both sides of the body bolt with a big hole that goes around the body mount bolt can still move independent of the frame. Thoughts anyone?

 

[noreserve]

Thanks to the OP for posting his review. I'm considering Rusty's sliders and I want to get people's opinions about how they mount. It looks like the front mount is bolted to the body mount bolt and to the frame bracket below. Wont this prevent the body from flexing independent of the frame? This defeats the purpose of the body mount to allow for some flexing. It seems that by connecting the body mount to the frame there will be an awful lot of extra force that has to go somewhere. The other mounts are bolted to the frame bracket on both sides of the body bolt with a big hole that goes around the body mount bolt can still move independent of the frame. Thoughts anyone?

The body of the Jeep mounts to the frame already with that front bolt that the sliders will use, so there isn't any difference there. There isn't a lot of flex involved, even without the sliders - just what the bushings will allow. The common flex you may be thinking of is that of the frame/body from the suspension's axle mount that is kept in check by the front and rear anti-sway bars. That's where disconnecting the front anti-sway bar end links comes into play - either manual (e.g., JKS) or electric (Rubicon) - and provides around 30% additional flex off-road. These sliders are ideal - mounting to the frame is a LOT more solid than body-mounted sliders like the stock Rubicon sliders.

 

[JP52]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I was thinking about movement allowed by the body bolt bushings, not axle flex. Even though the movement is small it's there for a reason. The front body mount does look different than the rear 2 so maybe the connection is different. How are your sliders holding up? Have you used them hard?

 

[noreserve]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I was thinking about movement allowed by the body bolt bushings, not axle flex. Even though the movement is small it's there for a reason. The front body mount does look different than the rear 2 so maybe the connection is different. How are your sliders holding up? Have you used them hard?

The Rusty's sliders are using that front bushing mount most likely due to the curved area there not having as much room for two of the bolts beside the body mount bolt like the middle and the rear mounts. There are still two holes that get drilled in the front for the bracket brace - just like for the middle and rear. If you think about the front and how they are using the body mount bolt and bushing, the Rusty's bracket is really just like a thick washer there with no change in the factory bolt or bushing. The Jeep's body still has the same bushing and will "flex" the same as it did before - flex is in the rubber bushing and not where the bolt head and Rusty's bracket is. There is no difference in the Jeep's body mounting or ride after putting these on - same bolts and bushings.

I haven't used the sliders hard, but have no doubt they would hold up to any abuse - WAY more than any body seam mount "sliders" like the Rubicon factory setup and up there with any similar frame-mounted ones that I'm aware of. You really have to see these things in person. These also function great as a step for the shorter folks and also for accessing my roof rack, cleaning the windshield, etc. They are beefy and will take care of guarding your doors against dings in the parking lot, while providing a good bit of side impact rigidity. The powder coat is holding up very well. I still love the looks. I have Poison Spyder sliders on my TJ that are similar, but these are even more sturdy in terms of mounting. I would buy them again without a second thought!

 

[JP52]

Thanks for letting me know how they are holding up after having them for a while. Glad to hear you would get them again.

 

[mikegldn]

They look good, but unfortunately Rusty's is on the short list of companies I refuse to give money to - after his refusal to warranty a broken XJ track bar bracket years ago. He tried blaming me that the bolts weren't tight (they were). I wonder how much of my business over the years this poor customer service has cost them.

 

[JP52]

I found a review on You tube that pointed out a weakness in these that could be a point of failure if you pivot on them. I decided to go with a different slider because of this.

 

[Mx5red]

I found a review on You tube that pointed out a weakness in these that could be a point of failure if you pivot on them. I decided to go with a different slider because of this.

Interesting.. Didn’t look like a really hard drop or anything.
I wonder if that is more likely on a 2dr, fewer mounts to spread the force out.

 

[GuitarGuy]

I'm trying to figure out the best way to drill and install the forward-most bolt on the passenger side to finish my Rusty's install. My '23 Rubicon 2-door has a pointless looking metal box in front of the front body mount bracket on the passenger side that's right in the way. Looks like the earlier JLs didn't have this or maybe none of the 4-doors do. I tried to remove it but the top bolt in the second picture is practically impossible to remove. The body would probably have to be lifted off the frame to get that bolt out. I'm thinking my only reasonable option is to drill all the way through both sides of that stupid box with an 8" or 12" drill bit.

Looking in from the passenger side...

Looking up at an angle...

Looking straight up...

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