OEM Rock Rails?

[Velocity00]

Local seller has rock rails posted for a reasonable price and I am tempter... but I don't know much about them. I see many posts in classifieds on this site for people selling takeoffs and installing after market. Is there a particular reason people prefer to not keep the OEM? I.e. are they functional or are they not seen to provide protection as well as most other aftermarket options?

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[PWillette]

The OEM rails are functional to a point. Main reason hard core wheelers upgrade is the OEMs are body mounted which is not optimal...frame mounted (bolted or welded) are preferred for maximum protection.

 

[Velocity00]

thank you for the insight!

 

[dgorsett]

The OEM rails are functional to a point. Main reason hard core wheelers upgrade is the OEMs are body mounted which is not optimal...frame mounted (bolted or welded) are preferred for maximum protection.

THIS. For most OEM will be more than sufficient. They bolt to the pinch weld and underbody. They are quite stout (supposedly rated for 150% of vehicle weight), they hide the pinch weld a bit, look integrated and stand up to gravel thrown by a tire or an occasional glancing blow from a boulder. Some extreme rock crawlers like to use rails as part of their strategy to ride on them and /or pivot. For me the OEMs do a good job protecting the rocker from errant rock flings or a bad choice of line.

 

[KRAKEN]

I liked the looks of them on my Black Diamond, but wanted some that stuck out from the body more and acted as a step. The OEM rails tuck up close to the body and hide the pinch weld seam. I lot of people opt for some sort of rail step to aid getting in & out.

 

[35tires]

I have frame mounted that stick out a bit, the RCI sliders, and they've saved me a dozen door dings. I've actually watched someone open their door carelessly and it hit the rail before it came near the body to dent my door. Worth the cost.

 

[TEAMSLO]

I have frame mounted that stick out a bit, the RCI sliders, and they've saved me a dozen door dings. I've actually watched someone open their door carelessly and it hit the rail before it came near the body to dent my door. Worth the cost.

So as mentioned, aftermarket ones tend do prevent door dings in parking lots. Factory rails are good enough for scrapes and bumps over ledges/rocks to a degree....... until they are not good enough, then there is potential to actually take on body damage. This is where aftermarket sliders come in.

Body and or frame mounted, and then welded types.

 

[FloridaBurgBronco]

So far, I only have the stock ones and while not ideal, they have held up to the wheeling I have done, which I'd describe as more hard core than most, but not really hard core, I mean I live in Florida and there's very few real rock crawling places here. If I lived out West, I'd probably be looking for an aftermarket pair. Something like these... https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/...M_VuoORBQ8dP-DTzeYgekNk-FNIT2f9hoCx4IQAvD_BwE or these https://www.cjponyparts.com/arb-roc...xB5O17ZoAfzGuuNAjC0UF_gWvzZTs8aRoCy2QQAvD_BwE

 

[MNBigfoot]

Around here a decent price on Marketplace/craigslist is $100, although lots have been listed for endless months for $300-600.

 

[DavidL]

I installed OEM take offs on my WildTrak and have been very pleased. They have taken some good hits wheeling and look great by hiding the pinch welds. Easy to install.

 

[diggs44060]

My BadSquatch oem sliders I removed and upgraded to the WESTIN XTS.. looks and fits like the oem sliders but with a nerf type step for me to get in it.
Sold the oem's for $200..the westins cost $980..

 

[Durangatan]

I liked the looks of them on my Black Diamond, but wanted some that stuck out from the body more and acted as a step. The OEM rails tuck up close to the body and hide the pinch weld seam. I lot of people opt for some sort of rail step to aid getting in & out.

A true rock slider will not function well as a step. A step is a big compromise as a slider. You need to decide if you want max protection for off road, or to look pimp at the drive through.

 

[ar1]

Can I get some real-world first hand reports of damage incurred while using the stock sliders? While I can certainly imagine the shortcomings of the OEM design I would like to know if they are truly deficient in practice. Again I can understand the merits of upgrading as a precaution but I would like to understand what circumstances look like where OEM doesn't get the job done. Thanks

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