switz
Active Member
- First Name
- Steve
- Joined
- May 31, 2018
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 65
- Location
- Nevada City, Ca
- Vehicle(s)
- 2015 Rubicon JK; 2018 Rubicon JL; 392 on order
- Thread starter
- #1
I have a 2018 JLU Rubicon with 800 miles on her. I didn't like the rocker guards that came on it as they didn't extend beyond the door sill. On my 2015 Rubicon, the rock rails were perfect but I just don't like the ones that come stock. So, I purchased a new set from RockHard4x4 and really like them. So, the installation began...
The original rocker guards took only a few minutes to take off. The new RockHard4x4 guards use the same bolts but also use the three bolts with the large washers that hold the frame to the body. This is where I had issues.
I used an air wrench to get the old rocker guards off without any issues. However, when I used the air wrench to remove one of the three bolts from the body to the frame the weld broke on the nut up in the body. It took me a while to get the nut off the bolt but I did. I called RockHard4x4 and explained to the guy what had happened. He said they are seeing this in the JL and did not see it in the JK. He suggested that I don't use an air wrench because of the torque. So, I removed the other two on the driver's side with a ratchet without incident.
In putting the RockHard4x4 rocker guards on, everything went pretty smooth except the bolt that had broken free. It took me quite a while to get up in the hole where the bolt goes with a wire to get the bolt centered over the hole. Finally, I was able to get the bolt in and tighten that side up.
On the passenger side, I loosened all bolts by hand. On one bolt, it was what I thought was loose enough to use a 20V drill to get it out. Nope, the weld broke again. I followed the same steps as the first side and was able to get it bolted up. With that said, I wouldn't want to have to take them off and try it again.
If you are going to remove the bolts with the large washers on them from the frame to the body, be very careful as apparently, the weld is crap.
The original rocker guards took only a few minutes to take off. The new RockHard4x4 guards use the same bolts but also use the three bolts with the large washers that hold the frame to the body. This is where I had issues.
I used an air wrench to get the old rocker guards off without any issues. However, when I used the air wrench to remove one of the three bolts from the body to the frame the weld broke on the nut up in the body. It took me a while to get the nut off the bolt but I did. I called RockHard4x4 and explained to the guy what had happened. He said they are seeing this in the JL and did not see it in the JK. He suggested that I don't use an air wrench because of the torque. So, I removed the other two on the driver's side with a ratchet without incident.
In putting the RockHard4x4 rocker guards on, everything went pretty smooth except the bolt that had broken free. It took me quite a while to get up in the hole where the bolt goes with a wire to get the bolt centered over the hole. Finally, I was able to get the bolt in and tighten that side up.
On the passenger side, I loosened all bolts by hand. On one bolt, it was what I thought was loose enough to use a 20V drill to get it out. Nope, the weld broke again. I followed the same steps as the first side and was able to get it bolted up. With that said, I wouldn't want to have to take them off and try it again.
If you are going to remove the bolts with the large washers on them from the frame to the body, be very careful as apparently, the weld is crap.
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