Twizted Engineering Prototype Blazer Rocker Guards - Feedback Wanted!

[TwiztedEngineering]

Hey guys,
I'm looking for some feedback on these Prototype Blazer Rocker Guards. We made these from formed 1/4" Steel Plate, with some serious supports behind them. They tuck pretty clean up to the factory rocker panel (they only hang a total of about 1/2" below the factory rocker lip) and go all the way up to the bottom of the door (we would have gone higher, but for some reason the customer still wanted to open his doors, crazy, huh?). They also stay flat all the way in, to about 1.5" from the framerail. They are stiff enough that jacking the outer edge only twists the frame, not the rocker guard! Selling price looks like it will be somewhere around $600 for the formed plates, all the laser cut supports, and the rectangular tubes (it would be a you-weld-it kit to account for variations in frame shape and body lifts, etc...) So what does everyone think? Should we continue down the road to production?

 

[4X4HIGH]

To be completely honest, i don't see people spending 600.00 for that. Most rock sliders (different than your rocker guard) go for anywhere between 99.00-200.00 and pretty much will do the same thing as your product will. Once again, just my opinion.

Your product does look nice though.

 

[blazin' j]

i agree they look awesome...and also agree about people spendin that much when other comparable (in function) rockers are less expensive...my .02

 

[Jason4x4]

You make a set of those for a long bed pick up with dual saddle tanks with a 2" body lift, and i'll probably by a set.

 

[rdn2blazer]

To be completely honest, i don't see people spending 600.00 for that. Most rock sliders (different than your rocker guard) go for anywhere between 99.00-200.00 and pretty much will do the same thing as your product will. Once again, just my opinion.

Your product does look nice though.

X's 3, also, you would get more strength from the tubes being Vertical instead of Horizontal, and you could still have them bolt up to the tube. Rock sliders are the way to go though.

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

Cool - I appreciate the responses so far guys! I think I should say three things before we go too far into the tons of price responses though:

1.) The price is only an estimate based on the cost of materials and labor to get these prototypes built - obviously when put into production the cost would go down, but i can only guesstimate how much. It could go down to as little as $400, but I don't want to quote that and then have everyone expect it if the price of steel and manufacturing takes another big jump (like it has so many times already out here in CO). If we can make 5+ at a time or more, then the price would drop considerably, so I hope that helps explain the cost a little better.

2.) These were built for a fairly specific reason, mainly getting the most ground clearance under the rockers while still preserving them and not having to cut into them. I'm not sure of the types of varied terrain everyone on this board wheels in, but out here in CO there are lots of really big rocks, and frequently having that extra inch of clearance under the rockers is what makes it possible to get over an obstacle. These are 1/4" plate, and hung with 1/4" clearance under the rocker for a total of 1/2" clearance loss vs. a 1" square (or bigger) tube sticking out from the framerail and still having 1/4" clearance under the rocker for a total of 1-1/4" plus clearance loss!

3.) Another major design difference to most out there is the fact that the rocker guard lays completely flat (even the bolts are flat) all the way from the rocker panel to the frame (well, within 1.5" of it at least), protecting the complete underside of the cab from rocks. Also, with it fully plated underneath, if you do end up setting the vehicle on a rock, it will slide much easier than a bunch of steel tubes coming off the frame and catching on the rocks. On this Blazer, with the 64" rear leaf springs and the frame mount relocated, the rocker guard gives a better transition from itself to the front of the rear leaf spring if sliding over a rock.

Well, keep the comments coming now that our design is explained a little better. Price is always an issue, I know, and that's really what I need to know about - is the design appealing to enough people to continue further with? I know they will be expensive, but there's a lot of steel in these beasts, and steel prices are crazy right now!
And thanks to everyone who posted so far!!

Darren

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

Jason4x4, I'd love to make you a set, but unfortunately I need a truck to prototype them! It's too bad you are in AZ! I could try and build you a set here, and ship them, but I'd need to find an exact match to your truck out here for a prototype first... PM me if you want to go further

Darren

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

X's 3, also, you would get more strength from the tubes being Vertical instead of Horizontal, and you could still have them bolt up to the tube. Rock sliders are the way to go though.

rdn2blazer, True, the tubes would be stronger if mounted vertical, but we did them this way (especially in the prototype) because of two things; first and foremost, it gives a much wider surface to drill for the bolts (in case the supports ended up twisting a little when welded to the frame, or we were just plain off in our measurements!) since we laser-cut the holes in the 1/4" plate rather than drilling them after the supports were welded, and secondly the tubes are 3/16" wall 1" x 3" tube, so they are still plenty strong enough in either direction to support the weight of a vehicle

Keep the feedback coming guys!! Thanks again!

Darren

 

[4X4HIGH]

It's nice to be able to give constructive critizism and for you to accept it. There are some vendors who just won't listen to what the end user likes or wants. They only want to build things their way or not at all. Afterall, it is the end user who makes or breaks your business.

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

It's nice to be able to give constructive critizism and for you to accept it. There are some vendors who just won't listen to what the end user likes or wants. They only want to build things their way or not at all. Afterall, it is the end user who makes or breaks your business.

I couldn't agree more... I can explain to you guys why I designed something some way, and maybe even argue why it might be better, but in the end if you don't buy it, what was the point? I'd rather talk to everyone on the boards first, and if I need to change something to fit everyone's needs better, then I will do that - it only makes sense!

 

[rdn2blazer]

Cool - I appreciate the responses so far guys!

Also, with it fully plated underneath, if you do end up setting the vehicle on a rock, it will slide much easier than a bunch of steel tubes coming off the frame and catching on the rocks.

Darren

This I do like. I have also thought of that problem with tube sliders aswell and plating is the only real way to solve that issue. The only problem with a full plate like that is the weight. Thats alot of steel. I have a 30 X 48 in piece of 3/16 plate and its 77 lbs alone. You have to have the thickness to stand up to the abuse and I guess you have to look at the gain in the ability to slide off rocks VS the extra weight.

Im actually going to consider building something similar to this design but maybe with thinner tube, maybe add one extra tube to spread the load more between the tubes and thinner gage plate. I may get some denting between the tubes with thinner plate but with say 5/32 (.156) plate it still should be plenty strong.

I also agree with what Scott said, nice to see you asking for CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and actually accepting it JUST FINE when you get it. Its earns you much respect from me I can tell you that. I hope you do well with your bussiness. Its a tough bussiness to be in. Especially with the kind of top quality Vendors here you have to compete with. Not that you trying to take bussiness away from anyone else but if you selling the same kind of products then its competing no matter how you look at it.


Keep posting up cool products, I wish you the best. We could allways use another good vendor.

 

[Jason4x4]

Jason4x4, I'd love to make you a set, but unfortunately I need a truck to prototype them! It's too bad you are in AZ! I could try and build you a set here, and ship them, but I'd need to find an exact match to your truck out here for a prototype first... PM me if you want to go further

Darren

P.M. coming your way...

 

[wheelingdrummer]

I love these rockers! Ground clearance is amazing and because of it I have not yet been able to set the whole vehicle on these let alone hit come down on them really hard......I guess I'm not trying hard enough.

Here is a better picture of the underside of the rocker!

Kyle

 

[blazin' j]

i do like these tho...probably be in future plans...its only money right?!?!?!

 

[5280k5]

They are stiff enough that jacking the outer edge only twists the frame, not the rocker guard!

This is the reason behind the classic body mounted slider vs. frame mounted slider. The Chevy frames are weak and would probably break before your sliders
Have you thought about some sort of crossover support between the sliders to distribute the load?
You definitely build some nice stuff that works well, as seen on Kyle's blazer. Too bad these won't work on my full 'vert with the rocker boxes.

 

[rdn2blazer]

This is the reason behind the classic body mounted slider vs. frame mounted slider. The Chevy frames are weak and would probably break before your sliders
Have you thought about some sort of crossover support between the sliders to distribute the load?
You definitely build some nice stuff that works well, as seen on Kyle's blazer. Too bad these won't work on my full 'vert with the rocker boxes.

Cut the rocker boxes out, thats what Im gonna do. I have a 73' with a full cage which will keep the body from flexing much at all. Im doing a doubler setup of some kind so the extra transfer case crossmember will handle the load along with the trans crossmember.

 

[Hossbaby50]

I love these rockers! Ground clearance is amazing and because of it I have not yet been able to set the whole vehicle on these let alone hit come down on them really hard......I guess I'm not trying hard enough.

Here is a better picture of the underside of the rocker!

Kyle

For Moab style wheeling they might be alright but for anything with bad breakover angle they arn't going to help much. Nice product but the price is going to make them a slow seller IMO. Also the fact that they don't improve ground clearence makes me ask why? If I have to do a bunch of fab to get them on my truck why wouldn't I just cut out the rocker boxes and install a 1.5" or 2" rectangle tube as the rocker and be ahead money and ground clearence.

My rocksliders are 1.5"x3" rectangle tube that is intregrated into the rocker panels. My doors still fit with no mods and I gained ground clearence with my sliders. With a 4" lift, 37" tires, and a little extra ground clearence in the rockers I am still getting KILLED in the AZ rock scene. The breakover is killing me every time out. I get hung on one or both sliders constantly. I have even almost flatbellied the 208 with a big skidplate and I am still getting DENIED on a regular basis.

IMO they may work for some people but there is not going to be a huge market for them, even if the price was $400 I still doubt you will get alot of sales.

Harley

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

This is the reason behind the classic body mounted slider vs. frame mounted slider. The Chevy frames are weak and would probably break before your sliders
Have you thought about some sort of crossover support between the sliders to distribute the load?
You definitely build some nice stuff that works well, as seen on Kyle's blazer. Too bad these won't work on my full 'vert with the rocker boxes.

5280k5, Yes, as a matter of fact Kyle and I did talk about making a new trans crossmember that would add strength to the framrails at the mounting points of the sliders, but that will come in the future. For now, these will move up about 1/4" before they hit the existing rocker panels, and then they touch all the way from the front to the back, and become supported by the body... I know that isn't perfect, but it should work quite well, and since they rest on the whole rocker at once, they shouldn't bend or deform the rocker at all, even with the whole weight of the vehicle on them. Also, it keeps the "twist" of the framrails to a minimum, and won't end up cracking that fine steel GM used in the day

 

[TwiztedEngineering]

For Moab style wheeling they might be alright but for anything with bad breakover angle they arn't going to help much. Nice product but the price is going to make them a slow seller IMO. Also the fact that they don't improve ground clearence makes me ask why? If I have to do a bunch of fab to get them on my truck why wouldn't I just cut out the rocker boxes and install a 1.5" or 2" rectangle tube as the rocker and be ahead money and ground clearence.

My rocksliders are 1.5"x3" rectangle tube that is intregrated into the rocker panels. My doors still fit with no mods and I gained ground clearence with my sliders. With a 4" lift, 37" tires, and a little extra ground clearence in the rockers I am still getting KILLED in the AZ rock scene. The breakover is killing me every time out. I get hung on one or both sliders constantly. I have even almost flatbellied the 208 with a big skidplate and I am still getting DENIED on a regular basis.

IMO they may work for some people but there is not going to be a huge market for them, even if the price was $400 I still doubt you will get alot of sales.

Harley

Harley, we have a Blazer here at the shop that we did the same thing to, but with 2" x 4" steel tube, and it came out really nice. We gained probably 1" or slightly more of clearance over the Rocker Guards that I'm talking about now, so the time it takes might be worth it to some. It was definitely easier to install the Rocker Guards than it was to cut out factory rockers, fit the tubing in there just right, and weld it all together properly to keep the body's structure in tact. BUT, at the same time, I'd be marketing the Rocker Guards to the home fabricator that obviously has a welder at home and some time, (or possibly to other shops that could install) - so maybe it would be worth it to most to do what you are saying. Definitely some food for thought - Very good point, Thanks!!

Darren

 

[pauly383]

You could just as easily angle the supports up , and bend the plate , to make it a boatsiding kit for those who are cutting the rockers out to the lower hinges .