Rubi Rock Rails Effectiveness

[CJtoJTR]

I'm trying to decide how useful the Rubi rock rails are on the trail. I like to idea of picking up some frame mounted sliders, but....do I need them? I've hit a few trails and scuffed up the factory rails a bit but nothing too serious yet. For those of you that have put the factory Rubi rock rails through a little trail abuse; did they hold up, did they prevent damage or did you wish you had a frame mounted system?

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[Jeeperjamie]

They work as good as any. I had them on my JKU, the Hard Rock Rubi Rails and the regular ones and they do the job. I bought a set for my JT and haven't use them on a trail yet but I'm sure they will be as good as the ones I had on my JKU. They work period, I wish the made the Hard Rock Version for the JT.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Whatever you end up doing, don't do anything like this.

I hated those because the reduce ground clearance because of how low they hang down, kind of pointless. I guess I get it if you need a step but to me if your planning on rock crawling then you should avoid anything that has steps that angle down or stick out real wide, one of the reasons the Rubi Rails are my preference and they are solid and get it done. Wish they made these for the JT

Mine as it sits.

 

[Moe_Fugga]

There was a photo on here a while back of a JT on a lift and the rails were the lifting points. If that gives you reference.

 

[AmishMike]

I have been on my stock rails pretty hard with nothing worse than some scratches.
My only thoughts were that if they stuck out to the side a little more, they might deflect a bit more from the body but then again I would be on them more so it is a coin toss. Definitely don't want anything lower.

 

[GoVR46]

The answer for me is yes, the factory Rubicon rock rails absolutely helped me from getting damage. Because of our horrible brake overhead angle and the fact that I actually wheel over big rocks I hit on them alot. So much so that I've added the ACE Engineering rock rails to go with the factory.
A bonus to adding an aftermarket rock rail that has side protection is you gain door ding protection in most cases.

 

[CJtoJTR]

I’m glad to hear a lot of good feedback on the factory rails. I’m addicted to mod’ing this Jeep but I’d rather use the rock rail money elsewhere at the moment.

 

[Renegade]

Stock Rubicon rails are sufficient for most impacts from directly below them, and they will hold the weight of the Jeep. They CAN be bent into the rocker panel though in extreme situations, and they don't offer side impact protection. Whether they are suited to your use depends on you.

 

[whiteglad]

My thinking went like this:
you have to choose frame mounted or body mounted, with or without mounts to the body mount areas.
From the frame to the outside gives a lot of leverage on a frame that is pretty thin and relies on its boxed shape, not material thickness, for strength.
I decided on body plus body mount area attachment as the best combination of strength and some flex to help the JT get over the rock. I wanted some protrusion to help with deflection, including doors in the mall parking lot.
I decided on the Rock Hard angled up rails for strength vs. weight, providing a step if needed, etc. Stock Rubi rails only attach to the pinch weld area.

 

[brianinca]

That's exactly the setup I'm running, and you hit all the bullet points square on except that they also serve as a good step!

The answer for me is yes, the factory Rubicon rock rails absolutely helped me from getting damage. Because of our horrible brake overhead angle and the fact that I actually wheel over big rocks I hit on them alot. So much so that I've added the ACE Engineering rock rails to go with the factory.
A bonus to adding an aftermarket rock rail that has side protection is you gain door ding protection in most cases.

 

[OngsterA]

The only reason I replaced the Rubi rock rails is for more side protection. They don’t have enough to cover rockers and doors. We go over and around boulders on tight trails. For other milder wheeling these are strong enough like others said here.

 

[Rusty PW]

I put White Kunckle sliders on my Rubi for added protection.

 

[Uparms]

Bare minimum must have unless you have decided and want to spend more. My Sport looks so much better with something there. All base models should have come with them and did not. Worth my $200.00 buying used.

 

[WhyNotJeep]

Bare minimum must have unless you have decided and want to spend more. My Sport looks so much better with something there. All base models should have come with them and did not. Worth my $200.00 buying used.

I was wondering what they are worth. I have a perfect set with the hardware ready to go to a new home.

 

[OngsterA]

These OEM Rubi rock rails are hefty and many mount points, both under body and pinch welds. I opted for a different setup, so if anybody in southern Cali wants them, $100 picked up.

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