Rock Sliders & Off-Road Rocker Guards

If you do a lot of off-roading and trail riding in your truck, SUV, or Jeep®, then a good set of rocker guards can be cheap insurance against vehicle body damage from trail obstacles. In other words, a stout set of rock sliders can mean the difference between a fun day on the trail and an expensive trip to the body shop.

What Are Rock Sliders?

Rock sliders (sometimes called rocker guards) are vital bits of trail armor that protect the relatively soft sheetmetal of your vehicle’s body against damage from off-road hazards like boulders, logs, tree stumps, or whatever else the trail throws at you. That’s because rock sliders are made from more durable materials like steel or reinforced aluminum that resist the stresses and impacts of off-road driving far better than the thin body panels on your vehicle would.

But body protection is only part of the appeal here. Not only can a good set of rocker guards protect your truck or Jeep® body—as the name implies, rock sliders can actually help you overcome large trail obstacles like logs and boulders by allowing the vehicle to smoothly “slide” across them, without getting hung up or pinched in a dent, bracket, or mount on the vehicle body.

As an added bonus, rock sliders just look cool—and give your truck or SUV an authentic off-road vibe.

Other Benefits of Adding Rock Sliders

Installing some stout rocker guards to your off-road rig already offers a ton of upside, but depending on the specific set of rock sliders you choose, you can get plenty more advantages too. For starters, many rock sliders also serve as side steps, letting you get a leg-up into the vehicle cabin—which is particularly handy for lifted trucks and SUVs running a set of oversized tires.

Some rock sliders can also serve as jacking points for your off-roader. That’s a really beneficial feature if you need to make quick trailside repairs or wheel swaps on uneven terrain.

How to Choose the Best Rock Sliders for Your Truck, SUV, or Jeep®

From the Cherokee to Wrangler, and Tacoma to Silverado, rock sliders and rocker guards are available for a wide range of popular off-road vehicles, including those with body-on-frame and unibody construction. That said, most rocker guards are vehicle-specific applications, so make sure that the rock sliders you want are compatible with your specific vehicle’s year, make, and model. Truck owners should be particularly mindful of their cab configuration too, as the best rock slider option may vary depending on the cab size, layout, number of doors, and bed length.

Installing some rock sliders or rocker guards may also require minor body or frame modifications, like drilling or enlarging holes, or relocating brackets. But in many applications, the rock slider manufacturer will design the bars to re-use existing holes and mounts. For guidance, Summit Racing includes the installation instructions for many of the rock slider kits available on this page, so you can assess how involved the installation process may be.

All told, a strong set of rocker guards or rock sliders are an essential upgrade if you plan to do any serious off-roading in your truck, SUV, or Jeep®. But the good news is, you’ll likely find the perfect ones for your particular off-roader here at Summit Racing. And better still, you’ll discover that they’ll add both practical protection and a dash of rugged good looks to your rig too.

So start searching for the best rock sliders right now—and with Summit Racing’s fast shipping, you’ll be back on the trails in no time.