2006 Jeep Liberty Rocker Panel help

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had considered cutting the old rocker panels out and replacing them with rectangular tubing. I had quite the surprise today when my trim fell off in the grocery parking lot. I wire brushed what was left of the panels, and came to the conclusion I would need both inner and outer rocker pannels. I saw on bleeping Jeep’s YouTube channel were they cut their rockers out and replaced them with rectangular tubing. But that was for a different body type. Thanks in advance for the advise.

AJ9P said:

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had considered cutting the old rocker panels out and replacing them with rectangular tubing. I had quite the surprise today when my trim fell off in the grocery parking lot. I wire brushed what was left of the panels, and came to the conclusion I would need both inner and outer rocker pannels. I saw on bleeping Jeep’s YouTube channel were they cut their rockers out and replaced them with rectangular tubing. But that was for a different body type. Thanks in advance for the advise.

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Its been done before
BUT
If you measure there are some things to consider
1) it is not the same width front to rear
2) there are some bracing in there to cut around
3) the metal is thin on the body and channel iron is thick so you really need to know what you are doing to weld it properly
4) as rusty as yours are, I would also attach over to the main frame rail for support

I would sooner just boat side it with a heavier plate of metal from under the door to the main frame rail

bleeping jeeps YouTube channel LOL, oh well they try

Tom is definitely on track.
If it seriously gets into the inner, it can be super bad news.
Keeping the Jeep's under body undercoated & clean in winter wherever possible, makes all the difference long term.
One thing is for sure, road salt *****!
Trim falls off in parking lot, not fun.

This Jeep is fairly new to me. When I bought it I knew the outer rockers needed to be replaced, as it’s common for all cars in Wisconsin. After reading the replies, I think I’ll just replace the rockers as I am not as much going rock crawling as going more over landing and in my woods. Though I now need to figure out how to put a step in so the misses can get into the Jeep now that it has a 3 inch lift. Any ideas?

AJ9P said:

This Jeep is fairly new to me. When I bought it I knew the outer rockers needed to be replaced, as it’s common for all cars in Wisconsin. After reading the replies, I think I’ll just replace the rockers as I am not as much going rock crawling as going more over landing and in my woods. Though I now need to figure out how to put a step in so the misses can get into the Jeep now that it has a 3 inch lift. Any ideas?

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/For-2002-2007-Jeep-Liberty-3-Side-Step-Nerf-Bars-Rail-Running-Boards-Hd-Chrome/372735190205?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I fully understand missing rockers.

I did. Here is the thread: https://www.jeepkj.com/threads/it-has-started-rocker-sliders.62162/

Gah!

This is the reason I always check where a car has been before I buy it. I always buy ones that come from south of me and not coastal. Only ever bought 2 used vehicles from northern areas. One that taught me a lesson and one I was all up under and realized the lady couldn't have ever taken it out of the garage into salt.

Once in a while we get snow, sleet, ice, etc. I go out if I know the roads are covered and they didn't prep I will go out. Once they start plowing and salting I go home and stay home until the roads dry if I can. If I see any signs of salt on the jeep I hit the car wash, then drive through the one with the undercarriage wash.

I'd rather loose a crappy days work here and there than have salt damage. Down here I can get by with that. People north of me cannot.

tommudd said:

Its been done before
BUT
If you measure there are some things to consider
1) it is not the same width front to rear
2) there are some bracing in there to cut around
3) the metal is thin on the body and channel iron is thick so you really need to know what you are doing to weld it properly
4) as rusty as yours are, I would also attach over to the main frame rail for support

I would sooner just boat side it with a heavier plate of metal from under the door to the main frame rail

bleeping jeeps YouTube channel LOL, oh well they try

Click to expand...

Where about would I attach the metal under the door? I am trying to weigh my options before committing to anything

AJ9P said:

Where about would I attach the metal under the door? I am trying to weigh my options before committing to anything

Click to expand...

If you do not need heavier metal for rock rails just boat side it !
Cut about an inch or less down from the door and have sheet metal welded there and back to the backside of the rocker panel ( or where it used to be )