Rock Rail Trimming
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Rock Rail Trimming
Hey all,
I could not find a write up on the trimming of the rock rails on the Rubicon. Over the weekend, I was doing some flexing and I rubbed a little on my rock rail, so I trimmed the length. I'm sure 90% of the members here have trimmed the body seam, but if not here's what I did:
1) Measure back 2" from the end of the rail near the rear tires. I used masking tape for a guide for cutting.
2) Remove the 3-13mm bolts and the 6-10mm nuts from the rock rail. Take care in removing it so you don't dent the doors (it's a little heavy)
3) Set the rock rail on a strudy surface and use a grinder / cut-off wheel to cut on your 2" mark. It's OK to leave the end caps on at this time. Use eye protection.
4) Once you have cut the rock rail, take a screw driver and pop out the plastic retainer screw.
5) Pop off the plastic end cap off.
6) Clean up your cut, then use a primer or under coating to cover the bare steel.
7) Replace the rock rail plastic end cap on the rock rail.
8) Set aside.
9) Remove the rear tire and jack up the Jeep and use jack stands on the axle.
10) Get out the masking tape again, and measure back 2" from the rear body seam and use it as a guide to the top diagonally about 1" from the top of the body seam. This will create a 'triangle' that you will be removing with the grinder on the body seam.
11) With eye protection, get out the grinder and cut along the masking tape guide and remove the body seam at an angle. Use the grinder to clean up the cut and smooth out any sharp edges.
12) Tape off the area and apply some undercoating or black paint to cover the bare steel. You might want to use some body sealant to seal the body seam to eliminate rust.
13) Reinstall the rock rail with the 3-13mm bolts and 6-10mm nuts.
14) Put the tires back on and allow the paint to dry.
15) Repeat for the other side and you're done!
Section of rock rail removed:
Finished with the plastic end cap back on:
Thanks,
Mike
I could not find a write up on the trimming of the rock rails on the Rubicon. Over the weekend, I was doing some flexing and I rubbed a little on my rock rail, so I trimmed the length. I'm sure 90% of the members here have trimmed the body seam, but if not here's what I did:
1) Measure back 2" from the end of the rail near the rear tires. I used masking tape for a guide for cutting.
2) Remove the 3-13mm bolts and the 6-10mm nuts from the rock rail. Take care in removing it so you don't dent the doors (it's a little heavy)
3) Set the rock rail on a strudy surface and use a grinder / cut-off wheel to cut on your 2" mark. It's OK to leave the end caps on at this time. Use eye protection.
4) Once you have cut the rock rail, take a screw driver and pop out the plastic retainer screw.
5) Pop off the plastic end cap off.
6) Clean up your cut, then use a primer or under coating to cover the bare steel.
7) Replace the rock rail plastic end cap on the rock rail.
8) Set aside.
9) Remove the rear tire and jack up the Jeep and use jack stands on the axle.
10) Get out the masking tape again, and measure back 2" from the rear body seam and use it as a guide to the top diagonally about 1" from the top of the body seam. This will create a 'triangle' that you will be removing with the grinder on the body seam.
11) With eye protection, get out the grinder and cut along the masking tape guide and remove the body seam at an angle. Use the grinder to clean up the cut and smooth out any sharp edges.
12) Tape off the area and apply some undercoating or black paint to cover the bare steel. You might want to use some body sealant to seal the body seam to eliminate rust.
13) Reinstall the rock rail with the 3-13mm bolts and 6-10mm nuts.
14) Put the tires back on and allow the paint to dry.
15) Repeat for the other side and you're done!
Section of rock rail removed:
Finished with the plastic end cap back on:
Thanks,
Mike
Last edited by swampdonkey; Mar 12, 2008 at 05:52 AM.
Thread Starter
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Southern Indiana
Thanks for the comments guys!
Well, I almost tried cutting the rail with the tires on, but when you go to cut the body seam, I was afraid that the grinder could jump and slice the tire. Also, if you don't remove the rock rail, the grinder could jump and the cutting wheel would cut the flender like butter. Plus with the tire off, it allows you to get in there and really smooth the body seam with the grinder. I just wanted to be overly cautious.
Well, I almost tried cutting the rail with the tires on, but when you go to cut the body seam, I was afraid that the grinder could jump and slice the tire. Also, if you don't remove the rock rail, the grinder could jump and the cutting wheel would cut the flender like butter. Plus with the tire off, it allows you to get in there and really smooth the body seam with the grinder. I just wanted to be overly cautious.
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JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Freeland, MI
This is a great idea. I'd contemplated trying the same thing when I had some free time so I appreciate the write up. It's comforting to know that someone else was bothered with t he rock rail seemingly extended to the rear too far.
Could you by chance provide an updated full side view pic of your Jeep with the "new" rails? I checked your album and the only full views you have are from before the modification. Thanks!
Could you by chance provide an updated full side view pic of your Jeep with the "new" rails? I checked your album and the only full views you have are from before the modification. Thanks!
