Rock rails, nerf bars or side steps. Build your own.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Most of you have seen the rock rails I have built and sold to a few members. Here are the plans I use as well as pics of the different ones. Feel free to make your own.

This is the set I made for snapple.



2" x 5" that are on skippy's 95.



This is the bracket that goes on the front. It bolts to the bottom of the step where you enter the van.



This is the bracket that bolts to the steel leaf spring hanger bolts.



Here are the brackets used if you have the fiberglass mono leaf and no rear heat or air. They bolt up to the body.

Left rear bracket.



Right rear bracket.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Here is the set I made for snapple.













Completed look:

[CaptSquid]

WOW! Them's some bang-up nerf bars!

[Smiliesafari]

That's nice work, Dean. Is that paint or powder coat? I'd like to see some pics of you installing some of those on your new Astro. Maybe SPB II.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Those were powder coated in semi-gloss black. No plans for another Astro or Safari for me right now. I would love one but it isn't in the cards now. ($$$$)

Here is the set I did for Cobra.

[snapple]

WOW! Back when my van was nice & shiny... ](*,)
I'm debating whether to transfer them over to my "95. If I can ever decide if I'm going to take the parts from the '94,and make one nice van. Or maybe get a plow for the '94! Decision,decisions... :-k

[Herbie]

Dean, you're awesome!

Not just for doing the ones that you did, but for sharing the designs so that nobody else has to figure this stuff out "cold".

This community owes you BIG TIME.

Cheers!

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Herbie,

Hopefully you can find a shop to build you a set out there in Cali.

[Cobra]

you're a good man Dean good man indeed

herbie:i'm SURE socalli v8 would know someone who would be able to do it no problem

i might be looking to getting another set of rock rails and skid plate so i'm going to save these plans for sure

[Herbie]

Herbie,

Hopefully you can find a shop to build you a set out there in Cali.

I'm sure I can, and failing that, there are few enough angles (and they're well documented!), that I may be able to handle it myself.

One question, I noticed you spec'd 1/8" wall for the "step" rail. If I wanted to make sure that I could put a high-lift somewhere on this thing, would it be better to use the 3/16' wall for the outer rail also?

Or is that too much "lever arm" away from the body anyway? Maybe I should massage the plans a bit to have the angled pieces to the step rails start a little closer to the center of the van to leave room to get the jack up against the inner rail...

[Cobra]

on the rock rails lifted made my i use them as jack points with no problem
i know for sure at times i've had over 50% of the vans weight on them

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I use them as jack stand points too Cobra...they are definitely nice for that!

I would use 3/16" for the outer rail and you would be fine I bet.





Here is where the leaf spring hanger bracket goes...(these were the 1st version)



Here is where the front step support bracket goes...
(these pics are the 2nd version and only used 3 small pinch weld seam mounts. The 3rd and final version uses a full length angle for the pinch weld seam mounting)



Here is the left rear bracket you use if you have the monoleaf springs...(right rear is similar but self tapping bolts are used)

[mdmead]

Very impressive Dean!

[kings-x59]

impressive is an understatement in my world. I so want to be able to do that.
Father's day is coming up, I do believe a mig welder is in my near future. this is one of those things on my bucket list.

[Cobra]

it was on mine to kings