Jeep Wrangler Rock Slider Buyers Guide
If you plan to take your Jeep off-road then you are going to need Rock Sliders. They play a crucial part in keeping your Jeeps rocker panels safe when tackling obstacles. While the factory sliders from Jeep on Rubicon models have a pretty good reputation they lack the superior protection that the aftermarket can offer. Like all Jeep upgrades the prices and quality come in huge ranges. We have broken this guide up into three price categories low, mid and high. This will allow you to find an excellent set of sliders that land well within your price range.
Low $200-$500
Budget friendly and lots of a good reviews are just a few of the things we like about the sliders that fall within this range. These sliders are typically mass produced and often oversees to help cut down on the cost, making them very affordable. Do not let that scare you away though as you will see the sliders listed in this category all have excellent reviews making them a cost effective solution that will offer your Jeep better protection than what it came with stock.
EAG Tubular Round Hole Rock Sliders
EAG makes quality Tublar Rock Sliders for Jeep Wranglers. Whether you have a YJ or a JL they have a slider that will fit your Jeep. These sliders are well built and super easy to install and have excellent reviews with a 4.5 out of 5 star average rating from hundreds of reviewers.
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$299.99 On Amazon
RedRock 4×4 Side Armor
The RedRock 4×4 side armor sliders are the perfect combo between protective sliders and useful steps. We are not big fans of sliders with steps that drop down because they can get hung up on the trail. These sliders are a single straight bar that can be used to get in and out of the Jeep as well as pivoted against to get around obstacles. With solid reviews and an install time that is less than one hour you can add an extra level of protection to your Jeep for well under $200.
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Barricade Enhanced Rubi Rails
Last but not least the Enhanced Rubi Rails from Barricade are made from 2″ diameter 0.12 thick steel so they are incredibly durable and well suited for Jeepers who really plan to abuse their sliders. Like the other sliders on this list they work as a step and add extra protection. In this price range they are also the highest rated sliders with 4.7 out of 5 stars on over 100 reviews. With that kind of social proof you can confidently test these out on the roughest trails. Competitively priced at just over $350 is a great deal!
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Mid $501-$750
Mid-range sliders are typically a step-up in the quality of materials and manufacturing processes. Opening access up to brands that are hyper focused on the design and build quality of their sliders. If you plan to spend close to half of your time in your Jeep off-road then we recommend going with one of the mid-range sliders below.
DV8 Tubular Jeep Sliders
DV8 has an excellent reputation in the Jeep world for designing and building some of the best protection on the planet. These sliders are made of 2″ steel sliders that offer 0.16 thick walls. With a think reinforced sidewall and unique design these sliders are the perfect combination of form and function. They look great, yet perform even better when off-road. They utilize the factory mounting points making them an easy install. For just over $500 they offer premium functionality at a mid-level price.
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Steinjager Bare Metal Knuckles Rock Sliders
The Bare Metal Knuckles slider from Steinjager are designed for rock crawlers who need superior protection. Most of the sliders we have recommended so far protect the underside of the rocker panel. The tubular design on those sliders helps push the vehicle away from the rocks. Additionally if you are off-camber leaning against a rock you are likely going to cause damage do your doors or upper rocker panels. Que the Steinjager Bare Metal Knuckles Rock Slider which not only offers the lower rocker panel protection but also wraps up around the rocker panel just under the door. This protects the entire door frame giving you the ability to slide and pivot over rocks with ease. The extra metal does make them a little heavier than some of the other models so keep that in mind when making your purchase. They come highly recommended by Jeepers all over.
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N-Fab Cab Length RKR Side Rails with Detachable Steps;
So remember when we said we do not like rock sliders with steps? We still feel that way however that is why we love these sliders from N-Fab. If your Jeep is lifted having a step might be necessary for your every day life of running around with your family. The steps make getting in and out easy for everyone and best of all they are super easy to remove so when you are ready to hit the trail you can take them off and make sure they are not going to get hung-up on obstacles. This gives you the best of both worlds without compromising on the integrity of the build quality. And for just over $500 they are an awesome option.
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Premium $751+
The premium sliders on our list are there for one or two reasons. Either because of their innovative technology, superb workmanship or a combination of both. While we do recommend these, unless they solve everything you are looking for we think you are best off getting something at the mid price point and using the rest on other upgrades.
Rock-Slide Engineering Step Sliders
These sliders have been a massive innovation in the market. As mentioned above sliders that have steps that hang down are worse off-road than ones without. While they still offer rocker panel protection they are much more likely to get hung up on the trail. However because many Jeepers are putting large 4-6 inch lifts while running 35-40 inch tires making them very tall and hard to get into. These sliders offer the best of both worlds. With Automatic steps that lower when the door is opened they give you an excellent step yet still retract with a surface strong enough to keep your rocker panels safe. We know what you are thinking how could these possibly be strong enough? The answer is quality engineering and stainless steel construction. Best of all they have a manual override so at the click of a button they will drop even if you are running around with your doors off. While not indestructible they are ready to take on a serious beating from obstacles on the trail. Pricing range between $1,600-$1,800
Poison Spyder Brawler Rockers
If you are looking for the some of the best protection for your Jeep from one of the best brands in the industry look no further. The unique design is capable of handling up to 40 inch tires and is form as stout of construction as you can get for under $1,000. The two piece component not only gives you a 3 inch step to use but also has protective plates that bolt onto the rocker panels for added protection. To top things off it is by far the best looking slider on the market.
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Road Armor 507ARG4B Stealth Body Armor Rocker Panels
The Road Armor Stealth Body Armor Rockers are purpose built for abuse. Built from USA sourced 3/16 steel. Admittedly you are paying a premium for a product completely made in the USA that is tough and ready for anything you can throw at it. The design is sleek and provides quality protection for your rocker panels. It’s important to note that these do require drilling so make sure you are ready for that level of commitment before making a purchase.
Which Rock Slider Is Right For You
Choosing which slider is right for you can be tough. There are so many awesome options, but we recommend going with the best that you can afford. We highly suggest performing semi-annual maintenance on your rockers. This means doing a visual inspection, looking for rust cleaning it up and adding a protective coat to your sliders, this will pay dividends in the long run. If you are running a set of the sliders above let us know what you think in the comments. Have some sliders you think we missed let us know and we can see what we can do about adding it to the list.
