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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: garbage!!! on October 24, 2006, 08:11:10 PM

Title: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: garbage!!! on October 24, 2006, 08:11:10 PM

Hey Guys,
my sidekick has had both the stock rocker panels destroied by off-road abuse, since I am going to have to rebuilt it I tought I could fab up something stronger to go there so I will not have to use some rock sliders and I will end up with better clearance.
I saw on hagens orange rig that it had something like that, but I could not find a close up pic.
Does anyone else has made anything like this? Could I see some pics?
                Gui

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: Digger on October 25, 2006, 04:11:26 AM

Here's mine:

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=417.0

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: TehkTracker on October 25, 2006, 07:37:00 AM

When I bought my Tracker I had the rusted through rocker panels cut out and 3/8" steel sheet welded in place.  But when they put the plastic guards over the rockers the pieces didn't line up very well and they also used construction screws to mount them.    >:(

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: garbage!!! on October 25, 2006, 09:33:30 AM

I am ashamed, my rockers do not look halth as bad as yours Digger. I was actually thinking of doing something similar sort of, but mixing round tube and square tube. What wall thickness did you use? how are they holding so far?

TehkTracker post up some more info, I do not care to fit the plastic guards...they do not fit anymore since...hummm since the vitara is mine : )

Thanks for the help.

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: TehkTracker on October 25, 2006, 10:17:06 AM

basicly same idea as digger's, only they used flat pieces of steel rather than square beams, then tried to re-attach the stock plastic crap.
I might add the beams look mighty tough, wish I had more input on my rocker repair (it was the dealers resposibility, I only made sure it wasnt slathered in bondo and called fixxed)

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: Digger on October 25, 2006, 11:25:17 AM

The wall thickness was about 3/16" and they are holding up great so far! I have used them as places to jack from as well as rock sliders. They have some scratches, but are still going strong.

Title: Re: Built in tube or whatever rocker panels for sidekick.
Post by: chet on October 25, 2006, 03:21:00 PM

I replaced mine with 1/8" wall 2"x3" rec tubing. fit great! I cut the rockers (what was left of them!) right off but left the back vertical section. I welded the new piece to that and also along the edge right under the doors. Once done I gave it a grind then some bondo to make it smooth then used the roll on bedliner to cover it all up.

I have bashed it into stumps and rocks and used my hi lift on it with no problems.