Another rock ski thread

[BroncoJAK]

This last OCBR was the final straw on the damage I've been doing to my rockers and quarters. Spent the day yesterday doing the drivers side rock ski.;D Time permitting I'll do the passenger side this week. It will take longer as the trails I've been running lately have been less than forgiving to the right side.%)
I used 2x6 1/4 wall square tubing. Couldn't find 3/16 anywhere near me. I cut the rocker off 3/8" below the door sill. Welded just to the body, I've done this before and have wheeled with many the same and it works perfectly. I did take lots of pics as I went but, for some reason lost before pics. Feel free to ask any questions or express your opinions even if you're wrong.

 

[BIGED]

John ive been looking for 3/16 as well could only find it in a 20 ft stick and at 8.49 a foot ill wait . I dont need it for the rocks as much as the cancer. Looks good cant wait to do mine.

 

[NGABronco]

Hey jak, looks good, I'm in the process of doing mine. I'm 3/8" below the door opening, won't that put a tilt to it or are you welding to the inner rocker at level??;D ;D
Thanks!!

 

[BroncoJAK]

John ive been looking for 3/16 as well could only find it in a 20 ft stick and at 8.49 a foot ill wait . I dont need it for the rocks as much as the cancer. Looks good cant wait to do mine.

Same here. Closest thing I could find was the 1/4 wall and they sold it to me at cost and cut it to 2-5' lengths. So I'm happy.

 

[BroncoJAK]

Hey jak, looks good, I'm in the process of doing mine. I'm 3/8" below the door opening, won't that put a tilt to it or are you welding to the inner rocker at level??;D ;D
Thanks!!

Exactly, I cut the outer rocker 3/8" from the sill and marked the inner at the 2" level. Measured an inch up from there and cut the inner off. I plug welded the inner as well as stitched in between plugs. Stronger and it beats welding the length of the seam as you're lying under it.

 

[kbldawg]

Looking great John!

 

[Scoop]

Exactly, I cut the outer rocker 3/8" from the sill and marked the inner at the 2" level. Measured an inch up from there and cut the inner off. I plug welded the inner as well as stitched in between plugs. Stronger and it beats welding the length of the seam as you're lying under it.

Good idea about plug welding the inners. I wish I had thought of that! I welded full length and it was a PITA. Puts you in a bad position unless of course if you have a lift. I still remember the smell of my shirt on fire . . . ;D

 

[ned72]

is this actually strong enough, because i didn't think that welding a big piece of tubing straight to sheet metal would actually be structually sound. Also if you get it in the right way won't the sheet metal just get ripped off a way thicker piece of metal.

 

[Buldozer]

I didn't realize you did any damage at OCBR John. Looks good. Is this about the same technique you used on Ben's?

 

[kbldawg]

I think you're thinking about mine; John built my rock skis. Looks like the same idear, except he went with 6" wide tubing, mine are 5".

 

[stout22]

Looks good. Keep the pics and info coming. I'm about to cut mine. I've already got the 2x6x1/4 (only thing available also).

 

[sprdv1]

Good work man.. Definitely a Must have on the Bronco..

 

[green77bronco]

is this actually strong enough, because i didn't think that welding a big piece of tubing straight to sheet metal would actually be structually sound. Also if you get it in the right way won't the sheet metal just get ripped off a way thicker piece of metal.

I've seen some threads where square tubing is run fron the rockski to the frame, If you feel you will need more bracing.

 

[Buldozer]

I think you're thinking about mine; John built my rock skis. Looks like the same idear, except he went with 6" wide tubing, mine are 5".

Your right Chad, it was yours. I seen a thread back then and they really turned out good!

 

[rmfreeze]

is this actually strong enough

I did mine similarly (no plug welds but longer stitches) and came down on both sides at OCBR - once pretty hard - and they held up fine. Plenty strong. I had thought about mating them up to the roll cage plates with some bent tube but don't see the need.

Oh - looks good John!

 

[bigmuddy]

Looks good John,

Dozer I do have the same thing on my rig but I built mine. I bolted mine through the door sill at that time and I really need to finish welding them on to the sheet metal. I have seen some people run them, where they are connected to the frame and not the body. But when you cut out all of the rocker panel, inner and outer sheet metal you lose some structural stiffness IMHO.

Ben

 

[Skiddy]

Looks good John

 

[Ohio Bronco 21]

I like that look man,

 

[JWMcCrary]

Looking good John, thanks for giving us something to go by, Bradlee will need this if there is enough rocker left to weld to after the bondo is gone.

 

[BroncoJAK]

is this actually strong enough, because i didn't think that welding a big piece of tubing straight to sheet metal would actually be structually sound. Also if you get it in the right way won't the sheet metal just get ripped off a way thicker piece of metal.

I was always one that thought they needed to be tied into the frame. Having witnessed first hand how well this works especially compared to the factory sheetmetal, I'm a firm believer I'll never have to worry about it. The load is spread out and really no edges to catch. Short of a boat sided full width belly pan, this is the best option IMO.