In 2016 we reviewed a set of JCR Crusader Sliders for the Jeep JK. The Crusader sliders were notable for integrated pod lights and Hi-Lift jack points. Now we’ve decided to look at a more simplistic design with JCR’s Classic Rock Sliders on a JL Unlimited.
Installation
Installation is simple as seen in the video above. For those that are not mechanically inclined, it would have been nice if they came with a set of paper installation instructions and not just a card directing you to their website. I recommend using power tools for the bolts that run through the body mounts. We spent far too much time and effort initially removing them with hand tools before breaking out the impact gun. Having a second set of hands is also a good idea. It will help to prevent marring the paint on your vehicle, the finish on your rock sliders, or just for that extra insurance that you won’t drop a large piece of steel on your face.
Thoughts on the Rock Sliders
Overall these are a good option for those that daily drive and off-road their vehicle. I wouldn’t recommend these to those that are purely focused on off-road performance. This Jeep will live its life as both a work commuter and occasional overland rig making the JCR Classic Rock Sliders a good fit. Take a look at the pro and con list below to decide if these are right for you.
PRO:
- Combination of 2x2x3/16″ box and 1 3/4″ round steel tubing with tabs that mount to both the pinch seam and body mounts make these rock sliders very strong.
- The wide and low design makes these great steps for getting into the vehicle.
- At around $500 bare and $650 powder-coated on JCR’s website these are competitively priced for their quality.
- The finish had no bare spots or blemishes. JCR’s Powder coat finish can also be touched up and closely matched with VHT Wrinkle Plus Paint.
- No nutserts and no drilling required! If you decide you don’t like the look of these you can remove them easily and no one will ever know.
CON:
- The exposed pinch seam is not aesthetically pleasing. Yes, you can paint the pinch seam, but I’m not thrilled about that either.
- Low design means there is less clearance offered than other rock sliders on the market.
- Position of square tubing catches lots of dirt when off-road
- Tubular sliders, by the nature of their design, are more likely to get caught on obstacles than fully enclosed rock sliders. Those extra gaps in the sections of tubing are just asking to hang up on a rock.
