Jeep Wrangler JLU Rock Sliders – Frame Mounted – Trailbreaker Series

When a Jeep club or 4x4 organization works with the BLM or Forest Service to open a new trail, the first run is usually the toughest. That’s the idea behind the Trailbreaker Series—built for the kind of day where you don’t know what you’re going to hit, you just know it’ll be rough.

If I could only take one set of rock sliders to a true trail-breaking event on my JLU, this is what I’d pick: a frame-mounted design that can take repeated hits, slide cleanly, and protect the areas most sliders leave exposed—including a real boatside transition when you choose the skin packages.

These Jeep Wrangler JLU (4-door) sliders are designed for serious rock use—not “step-only” duty—so you can pivot off obstacles, drag the belly without worry, and keep the lower body protected trail after trail.

What’s New vs the Rimrocker Series (Previous Generation)

The Trailbreaker Series replaces our prior Rimrocker Series sliders with improvements that matter on hard trails:

• Major weight savings vs welded steel faceplate designs

• More ground clearance (bottom tube raised ~1.5"+ compared to Rimrocker generation)

• True boatside protection options that fill the gap between the slider and frame rail for a smoother underbody line

• No bottom-tube aluminum slug required: strength is built into the tube design with thicker DOM where impacts occur

• Bolt-on capable frame mounting (with drilling) while still supporting weld-on installation for extreme users

Construction & Materials

Core Slider Structure (Steel)

Trailbreaker sliders use a true dual-tube, frame-mounted structure built for repeated impacts:

• 2" Diameter DOM  structural steel tubing
  

• Top tube: .188" wall DOM for strong side protection with smart weight control
  
  
• Bottom tube: .250" wall DOM where the slider takes the hits—maximum strength in the impact zone

Frame Mounting System (Steel Brackets)

Laser-cut, CNC-formed steel brackets using a strength/weight optimized blend of:

• 3/16" steel where formed strength and reduced bulk make sense

• 1/4" steel where maximum rigidity and load distribution into the frame are required

Slider Configuration Options

Choose your slider configuration based on how you wheel today—and how you may want to upgrade later.

Option 1: Bare Bones (No Skins)

A premium frame-mounted slider system with no aluminum skins, no UHMW, and no pre-installed threaded rivet nuts.

• Built to take impacts as a true frame-mounted rock slider

• Allows you to add skins later if you want the boatside + outer armor surfaces

• Best for customers who want the core structure now and plan to upgrade down the road

Note: If you select Bare Bones, skins can be added later with our conversion kits.

Option 2: 7075 Boatside (7075 Skins)

Adds our full 7075-T6 aluminum skin package, including the boatside panel—and includes the threaded rivet nuts required for installation.

Includes:

• 7075-T6 faceplate panel between the top and bottom tubes for a smooth outer armor surface

• 7075-T6 boatside panel between the bottom tube and the frame rail to fill the gap and create a smooth, seamless transition under the vehicle

• Threaded rivet nuts included (required for mounting the 7075 panels)

Benefits:

• Strong, smooth outer surface that slides better than typical step-only slider designs

• Gap coverage reduces snag points and protects areas many sliders leave exposed

• Rust-free armor surfaces (even if coating is scratched)

Long arm note: Boatside panels are pre-cut to clear most long arm kits in the most common interference area.

Option 3: Glide Boatside (7075 + UHMW)

Our maximum-performance configuration for real rock use. Includes everything from the 7075 Boatside, plus UHMW wear surfaces in the high-contact zones.

Includes:

• 7075-T6 faceplate + boatside panels

• Threaded rivet nuts included

• UHMW wear surfaces designed to take the abuse and slide cleanly on rock

Why UHMW matters:

• Low-friction glide helps the Jeep transition over obstacles instead of grabbing

• Impact absorbing and highly resistant to gouging

• Designed as a replaceable wear layer for customers who use sliders hard

Long arm note: Boatside panels are pre-cut to clear most long arm kits in the most common interference area.

Clearance & Boatside Benefits

The boatside design is functional trail geometry:

• Covers the gap between slider and frame rail, reducing snag points

• Creates a smoother “ramp” that helps the Jeep transition up and over obstacles instead of hanging up on edges

• Adds protection to areas many sliders leave exposed, including common body mount / frame bracket regions

HOW FAR DOES THE SLIDER HANG DOWN FROM THE BODY?

• 1" below the JLU pinch seam (as measured from the lowest point of the tube)
• 3 1/8" above the JLU frame rail

Installation Options

These are frame-mounted sliders intended to take vehicle weight on rocks.

• Bolt-on capable with drilling (uses factory holes plus recommended added holes)

• Weld-on recommended for extreme use for maximum rigidity and long-term durability

• Pinch seam relief required to tuck the slider high and tight

• Controlled notch/trim method designed to maintain body sealing (no cutting that would create leaks)

Suspension / Long Arm Fitment Notes

Many long arm suspension systems use rear lower control arm frame mounts that can interfere with a full-coverage boatside panel.

To reduce install hassle and avoid customer trimming, our boatside panels are pre-cut to clear most long arm kits in the most common interference area.

• If you’re running a long arm kit: this pre-cut design is intended to bolt up cleanly on most popular systems.

• If you’re running mid arms (or staying stock) and want a fully closed boatside line: a bolt-on Close-Out Kit is in development to fill that relief area (coming soon).

Note: aftermarket variations exist. Minor hand fitting may still be required depending on your exact suspension and frame mount geometry.

Weights & Shipping

• Installed weight is 83 lbs per side in 'bare bones' configuration, and steps up to 94 and 97 lbs respectively with boatsides and the glide boatsides respectively.
  
  

Additional Notes

• Vehicles vary—minor hand fitting may be required due to factory tolerances and aftermarket combinations.

• Lead times are estimates and may shift due to material/labor availability and order volume.

• Designed and fabricated in the USA: laser-cut, CNC-formed, and hand-welded with pride by Next Venture Motorsports in Grand Junction, CO.