My stock renegade rock rails have started to rust, and I'm looking at getting them replaced. I don't off-road very often, and I like my Jeep to look nice. I like the look of the OEM rails, and while looking for replacements I noticed something. OEM replacement rails are listed as fitting 02-07 models, but my 04 rails have a thin/flat fin on top of the rail. The replacements and 05+ models do not. This leaves an ugly area uncovered on my Jeep.

My rusted rails w/ "fin""


Ugly area:


Example of new style rails:


What's the deal? Is there another piece that covers the ugly area on the new Jeeps? Or do I need to find specific 04 rock rails with the fin?

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2004 Black Renegade, manual transmission, Frankenlifted, JBA 4.5 A-arms, 31" Super Swamper M16's on Pro Comp 8128 wheels, MagnaFlow exhaust, Volant cold air intake, and clear front signals.

on the 05+ models, theres a big piece of plastic that covers that pinch weld. theres only a small piece on the older models that gets removed with the rail installation i believe. i only recently realized about the difference in the rail design, but you are correct, the fin is there to cover that area. i have newer rails on my old 02 and can see that pinch weld. i dont really care though. But, long story short, if you want to cover that area, it looks like you'd need the old style rails.

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-Jon-
02 Jeep Liberty - LOST Trail Tested Edition - sold
09 VW Tiguan 4motion - current

If your bars are just rusty, why don't you clean them up and paint them? or take them to a body shop, should be cheap to have them done.

04-07 has a plastic trim piece below the door. You can see my sliders below the trim piece.

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2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

Ya, I'm looking into grinding all the rust off and applying truck bed liner. I called my local Rhinolining shop, and he wanted $125-$150 per rail! I researched some of the do-it-yourself liners, and found that Herculiner might be a good way to go. Anybody have any experience with this stuff?

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2004 Black Renegade, manual transmission, Frankenlifted, JBA 4.5 A-arms, 31" Super Swamper M16's on Pro Comp 8128 wheels, MagnaFlow exhaust, Volant cold air intake, and clear front signals.

ive used duplicolor truck bed liner that comes in a rattle can on a few applications. ive found it to be pretty good. its not going to be nearly as thick and tough as rhino, but its also $4 for a can, and you can do your rock rails with 2 cans pretty easily. i know that its not as tough as the rhino, but i find it to be very good when i want to paint something black, but want something a little more durable then paint. it has a nice texture too. not too rough, but not smooth.

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-Jon-
02 Jeep Liberty - LOST Trail Tested Edition - sold
09 VW Tiguan 4motion - current

darn Jerbacher you're quick! I searched the forum and found a bedliner thread and noticed you were in it. Got any close-up pictures of your rails? I don't know if the Duplicolor will be textured enough to cover-up the rust pits.

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2004 Black Renegade, manual transmission, Frankenlifted, JBA 4.5 A-arms, 31" Super Swamper M16's on Pro Comp 8128 wheels, MagnaFlow exhaust, Volant cold air intake, and clear front signals.

it should cover unless it is big pits! Jons look real good, well when I have seen them once or twice not covered in mud!

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

I like Herculiner, doesn't come off, more expensive than the duplicolor. A quart costs about $25. but you can do it yourself and recoat as many times as you want. The shiny black will fade to a dull black over time and exposure, I think they make an additive to keep the shine from fading.

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2005 CRD "Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.

just remember if you have yours rhino or line-xed, make sure they sandblast it!!!