Welding Hardened Steel and Hardening

Richie · #1 02-06-2002, 09:45 AM

I was under the Jeep last night looking at the gouges and was contemplating the possibility of having hardened steel for a set of rocker guards. My theory is that it would slide over rocks without digging in to the steel. Any thoughts as to the feasablilty of this? I have crankshafts at Burbank steel on a regular basis, so getting it done wouldn't be a problem. Can carbon steel be hardened, case hardened, or nitrided?

Thoughts??

Richard
97 TJ with sprinkles
97 ZJ

mrblaine · #2 02-06-2002, 11:12 AM

Richie- If you want to duplicate the Sun Performance design, I have some 2" .250 wall 4130. You can slice it in half and get enough for both sides. Add some 4130 plate to it, get it all welded up and then send it out to heat treat to toughen it up.

You are just another ride in the amusement park of my mind.

Richie · #3 02-06-2002, 04:05 PM

That sounds like a nice idea. 4130 should harden well. Are you going to be up Garry's direction any time soon? Just how would you suggest cutting it in half?

Should I use 1/4 or 3/16 sheet for the rest of the rocker guard??

Richard
97 TJ with sprinkles
97 ZJ

mrblaine · #4 02-06-2002, 05:11 PM

You will do quite nicely with some 3/16's. Especially after you see the price of the 1/4" if you can find it.

I will do some measuring and get a material list together for you.

I don't know how concerned you are with ground clearance, but you could take a 90 degree slice out of one chunk of tubing and lay it onto a set of Currie's rocker skids. That would be the simplest way to build them.

You are just another ride in the amusement park of my mind.

Richie · #5 02-06-2002, 08:22 PM

That might be the easiest way to go, but I'm concerned with coverage in the very front and in the very back. The part where the fender flair covers... I've already got a small dent there and Garry pretty much squished the area between the front tires and the rocker guard. The Currie is certainly a good start though. I know the Currie is now available with the "side bar" like 4xdoc's and AEV's. Any thoughts on that? The one thing I like about my current setup (Boulder Bars) is the ability to push into and pivot on things.

Richard
97 TJ with sprinkles
97 ZJ

mrblaine · #6 02-06-2002, 08:48 PM

I have issues with the front and rear of mine also. I purchased another SP rock rail and will cut my current ones in half, grow them longer and box the ends in at the fender angles. I am using the new one for center pieces.

The SP's slide really well due to the larger radius on the bottom side.

You are just another ride in the amusement park of my mind.

Richie · #7 02-07-2002, 09:16 AM

That sounds like a good way to do it. What do those Sun Rockers run? Were you able to get a single extra or did you have to buy a pair? How is the coverage underneath?

And to get back on topic, I wonder if they can be nitrided?

Richard
97 TJ with sprinkles
97 ZJ