Rocker Panel Rock Rails

[Aubs]

When I was in South Bend, Manny told me that Amstar products were developed because the factory protection, even the upgraded stuff, wasn't holding up on the AM General test track. So I'd put my money on the Ambest, whenever it becomes available.

[dochummer]

Amstar/Starcraftparts - So far, what they have on their website is very pricey!

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by Aubs

When I was in South Bend, Manny told me that Amstar products were developed because the factory protection, even the upgraded stuff, wasn't holding up on the AM General test track. So I'd put my money on the Ambest, whenever it becomes available.

Are the ones on the Amstar site even true rockrails. They just look like tubesteps with modified brackets so they sit closer to the rocker panel.

I actually really like the Rocky Road ones and will probably buy a set when I finish destroying my OEM ones if there is nothing better on the market. There's just those two items I think should be addressed.

[springer]

Sewie do you think the Rocky-Road rocker protection could be used for a step also. I am looking for rocker panel protection, but my fience is constantly complaining about it being so hard for her to get in, so I thought I might could kill two birds with one stone. Let me know what you think.

Thanks
Tanner

[BABHUMV]

Sewie, thanks for the pics. it was hard for me to get pics when I am driving. And Sewie, I did come down very hard on them about 2 minutes before the tie rod bent, and at the first obstacle on steel bender were the winch was used. In my honest opinion, I beat the $hit out of them. They held up great. As for the question about the step. As soon as I told my partner Kurtis to use them as a step when getting in, he did and they work great. You can also stand on them to get to the roof very easily. My opinion, is that they look really cool with the second bar coming out, they are very functional and strong, they come with a lifetime warranty, so go ahead try to bend them, and they double as a step to the roof or entry too. Well worth the $'s. They have looks and functionality, so they are decorative, strong as He!! rock rails.

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by BABHUMV

Sewie, thanks for the pics. it was hard for me to get pics when I am driving. And Sewie, I did come down very hard on them about 2 minutes before the tie rod bent, and at the first obstacle on steel bender were the winch was used. In my honest opinion, I beat the $hit out of them. They held up great. As for the question about the step. As soon as I told my partner Kurtis to use them as a step when getting in, he did and they work great. You can also stand on them to get to the roof very easily. My opinion, is that they look really cool with the second bar coming out, they are very functional and strong, they come with a lifetime warranty, so go ahead try to bend them, and they double as a step to the roof or entry too. Well worth the $'s. They have looks and functionality, so they are decorative, strong as He!! rock rails.

No problem.

BTW, I emailed Glenn at RR and he said the cable should be easy to relocate and when they tested the rails they didn't notice any flex. And seeing them in action I'd say they did really well. He also mentioned the lifetime warranty.

[Aubs]

Originally Posted by Sewie

Are the ones on the Amstar site even true rockrails. They just look like tubesteps with modified brackets so they sit closer to the rocker panel.

I actually really like the Rocky Road ones and will probably buy a set when I finish destroying my OEM ones if there is nothing better on the market. There's just those two items I think should be addressed.

I don't think what is pictured for "Rocker Panel Protection" is supposed to be highlighting the step looking object. I think we're supposed to be looking at something else, but I can't figure out what. I know the "Shock/Axle Skidplates" are pretty HD looking in person, because I remember laying under this vehicle and looking at them. I don't remember the rocker protection however.

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by Aubs

I don't think what is pictured for "Rocker Panel Protection" is supposed to be highlighting the step looking object.

Pretty sure it is.

From the Amstar site:

IMAGINE: Rocker Panel Protection.

The integrated side step and rocker panel protection uses 3/16-inch steel plating. Newly designed side step is three inches higher than the factory step providing additional ground clearance when the terrain becomes rough. The smooth underside allows your vehicle to slide over things that it might otherwise hang up on.

As I said before....They just look like tubesteps with modified brackets so they sit closer to the rocker panel.

[Sewie]

Although, looking at the pic again it does look like there might be a plate on the underside of the step. They really need some better pics.

I still prefer the RR rails or the OEM ones.

[Aubs]

Oh, yeah. I missed the "Step" in the description. It is a bad photo though of whatever they are trying to show us.

[H3slate]

Here is another view of the Amstar rock rail. Shows the smooth underside which looks like is color matched with the rig.



Would be nice to slide over stuff, but being lower it would scrape a lot more.]

[Sewie]

Originally Posted by H3slate

Here is another view of the Amstar rock rail. Shows the smooth underside which looks like is color matched with the rig.

Would be nice to slide over stuff, but being lower it would scrape a lot more.

Nice find. That pic confirms what I thought. They just modified the tubesteps. Check out the bracket.



I think I'll pass on those.

[Zoomie]

WoW! I really like the Rocky Road frame rails. Does anyone have these installed? I need to know if the top of the rail is higher than the OEM chrome POS that I now have? Reason I ask is my wiff is a squatty body who needs a running leap to get into the H3 as it is now. (She doesn't read these forums, yet. Guess I could call the company and find out.

[H3slate]

I found this description of the Amstar rocker panel protection

The integrated side step and rocker panel protection uses 3/16-inch steel plating. Newly designed side step is three inches higher than the factory step providing additional ground clearance when the terrain becomes rough. The smooth underside allows your vehicle to slide over things that it might otherwise hang up on.

this helps to show how high these steps sit.


This pic is for the shock plate, but in the back you can see that the steps/rockpanels are not lower than the frame of the vehicle


So is the whole thing made of 3/16? or just the skid plate on the bottom? The Rocky Road rockrail is made entirely of 3/16. The oem rails don't specify how thick the steel is.

[ChasH3]

okay, I finally put the rock rails and one set of U-steps on the H3... Here's a pic.....

[BABHUMV]

How easily can you remove that step? I know the stuff I went over it would catch quite easily.

[westhillsat]

Originally Posted by BABHUMV

How easily can you remove that step? I know the stuff I went over it would catch quite easily.

BAB, I have the steps. I took them off before we left for Moab. There are four nuts for each step. "Bolts" are permanently attached to the steps and they just slide through the holes in the rocker protection, I then just tighten the nuts with a socket wrench.

[Zoomie]

HMMM Maybe these would work better with squatty body wiff. Are these OEM, or after market?