The shop xj 'old blue'
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Current Specs:
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Family owned since day one, 'Old blue' was cared for and driven anywhere/everywhere by our uncle. Right around 150,000 miles Joe bought it needing a few minor repairs. It stayed stock and continued its legendary Jeep reliability until right around 220,000 miles. Its suspension was shot, tires were getting near bald, and bushings were long since worn out. Naturally a lift kit and bigger tires were on the menu. A Tuff country ez-ride 3.5" kit was selected, with a set of american racing rims and some BF Goodrich ATs. About one week after installing the new lift, Joe was cut off and the rolled the Jeep. Not too surprising, the Jeep was rolled back on its wheels and started up! With fresh insurance money in our hands it was off to the junkyard for doors. A quick coat of paint along with some other odds and ends, old blue was back in action.
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A few years after the crash, It was becoming more and more apparent something had to be done about the rust on the rockers. We had always planned on doing a box tubing section and had almost ordered the stock, when there was a light bulb moment. After studying the profile of the factory rockers, Joe made an attempt at bending a press brake formed 3/16 Plate steel profile of the factory rocker. The result was what has now become out popular ROCKer panel / sliders. After drawing up some designs and doing some initial testing, the day came to cut up old blue's rockers (or what was left of them). The install was a breeze, we were pleasantly surprised how all the new pieces "fell into place" with the factory body lines acting as guides. In just one day we had finished both sides of the Jeep and immediately started bashing the sliders to see how strong they were.
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With the great success of the ROCKer panels, we continued to think of innovative products for the XJ. We needed another way to separate ourselves from all the other jeep guys out there. We looked to the ROCKers and thought about making a whole integrated and expandable line. Starting with our front HD bumper, working back to our tubular fender flares, then the ROCKer, rear tubular flare, and finally into our rear HD bumper. Again, we were happily surprised by how well everything fit, looked and performed. Not only that, but we found that we could still be competitive on price too. With all this new body armor, we were looking kinda weird with a short arm 3.5" lift and all terrains. So, with the old Tuff country lift aging, we set out to make some more changes.
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