Rock Skins. What gives?

gottorque · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:03 am **Posts:** 100

Im not sure if its me, but i always see the Wranglers with sheet metal body protection aka "rock skins" on their rockers and rear quarter panels. To this day i dont remember ever seeing any Liberties with such plating. I think it would be incredibly useful out on the trail and in the parking lot. It dosent look to complicated to make and if it gets scratched just touch it up with some paint. If anyone has done this, feel free to share. I think ill play around with this idea next week

cgass · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2012 11:02 pm

I've wondered this myself. It would save me from buffing out my pinstripes all the time. If you come up with something please share!

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2012 11:12 pm

Problem with doing that on a KJ is the 1/4 panels are not flat.

gottorque · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:03 am **Posts:** 100

Figure that the primary purpose of metal skins is to protect from scratches and dings. With that said a thin piece of sheet metal would conform to the shape of the quarter panel and still hold up just fine. I dont see any rear reason to have thick sheet

ando · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 2:37 am

Is that not rivetted on ? :shock:

Land Rovers have chequer plate stuck all over them over here, but thats just a way hiding the rust :ROTFL:

gottorque · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:03 am **Posts:** 100

ando wrote:

Is that not rivetted on ? :shock:

Land Rovers have chequer plate stuck all over them over here, but thats just a way hiding the rust :ROTFL:

figured you guys over there might have some use for it other than protection, but must work pretty good than

All the ones for the wranglers are bolted on, so when i get something figured out, ill probably use pan head bolts so it looks nice

ando · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 4:24 am

Love the look of this sorta stuff, but not sure drilling holes in the body and fixing metal plate onto the paintwork is less damaging than a few trail scratches !! :wink:

beep jeep mn · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 10:52 am

its much cheaper and easier to just buy a nice buffer

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 7:47 pm

To me, personally, each scratch, trail rash, ding or dent represents a story, a "badge of honor", proof that I "walk the walk" and actually play with my KJ. All I do is hose it off and touch up anything that breaks through the primer to bare metal. However, I am thinking of rhinolining it from the midline down, mostly for looks, and to some extent to protect it. That being said, rock skins would look cool too.

vincennescrd · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 7:53 pm

Scratches and dents are part of it. If I could get a good pick of mine you would see. I don't fix a thing either. Part of it as far as I'm concerned

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 8:18 pm

i dont think this is a good idea... sheet metal right over sheet metal is a GREAT place for moisture to stay.. and salt/dirt.. which causes rust.. especially with holes going through the 1/4.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat May 19, 2012 9:25 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

i dont think this is a good idea... sheet metal right over sheet metal is a GREAT place for moisture to stay.. and salt/dirt.. which causes rust.. especially with holes going through the 1/4.

RTV

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 7:42 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

2006 KJ wrote:

i dont think this is a good idea... sheet metal right over sheet metal is a GREAT place for moisture to stay.. and salt/dirt.. which causes rust.. especially with holes going through the 1/4.

RTV

RTV will help the holes. but not panel against panel. that's just begging for rust.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 8:30 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

2006 KJ wrote:

i dont think this is a good idea... sheet metal right over sheet metal is a GREAT place for moisture to stay.. and salt/dirt.. which causes rust.. especially with holes going through the 1/4.

RTV

RTV will help the holes. but not panel against panel. that's just begging for rust.

You seal the outseide edges with RTV.Rock Lizard did it on his XJ and no rust.

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 9:54 pm

that is a good idea... however in PA.. the humidity would still cause the panels to sweat.. and trap that moisture inside. you guys are very lucky in CO... that place is great.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun May 20, 2012 10:42 pm

2006 KJ wrote:

that is a good idea... however in PA.. the humidity would still cause the panels to sweat.. and trap that moisture inside. you guys are very lucky in CO... that place is great.

His XJ spend half it's life with the rocker guards on while in KS which also has very high humidity.

gottorque · **Joined:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:03 am **Posts:** 100

I live in the southwest, so rust is hardly a problem. Like tjkj said, paint and RTV the holes in and out, paint the rock skin on both sides and put it on , sealing it with more RTV.
Might be a bit of a hassle now but will save you bigger issues in the future

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Thu May 31, 2012 9:27 pm

RL and I did try to look at that idea, but as Troy mentioned, the curves of the KJ are hard to mirror. Also the mounting would be difficulat at best due to the inner structure of our rears. Could be done, but the cost vs market prevents design and build.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:04 am

I've often wondered about having them made from HDPE or similar strong plastic that can be molded or formed to the contours. I have seen some crazy forms made from the material that are used as parts or people protective devices on aircraft (PPD's) and the material would be strong enough to deflect some/most damage that we might encounter on the 1/4 panels. I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have my 1/4 panel dent if I had them installed prior to rubbing against a giant boulder.

The irony of them is that you have to drill holes into and cover up good sheet metal to protect it......however, once you have dented the metal, WTH, might as well install something to protect against further damage right? :lol:

Now to find someone that can form the material......and for a decent price.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:55 am

External roll cage? :wink:

Rock Skins. What gives?

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