Rock Bars

May 1997

Background | Installation | Cost | Postscript

Background

In my quest to add armor to my XJ, I decided that I really needed some rock bars, rocker skids, nerf bars, or whatever else you want to call them. Whatever the name, I wanted protection for my rocker panels. After looking at many other XJs on various websites, I decided that I would go with the crowd and get "Rock Sliderz" from American Metal. They looked good, and seemed to be strong and easy to install.

I placed my order and was told that they were a little behind and that they would be built and shipped in the next week-and-a-half. After waiting for 2 1/2 weeks, I called to see what was up. I was told that it would be built that weekend and shipped Monday. I waited until Thursday; still no Sliderz. I called and was told the same thing: built this weekend and shipped Monday. Again I waited until Thursday and called. Same story. When I told them that I was not happy with this treatment, they guy got mad at me and cancelled my order on the spot, saying he didn't want to deal with me anymore.

The same day, I called Tomken and ordered their Rocker Skids. They were extremely helpful, and they told me up front that there was a two week lead time on the skids. That was OK. I don't mind waiting, I just don't like to be lied to over and over again.

The next day, someone on rec.autos.4x4 was asking about Rock Sliderz, and I posted my experiences with American Metal. I copied the posting and sent it in this email to American Metal. Granted, it was not the most political letter I have ever writen, but I did not expect this result. First, I got email back consisting of nothing but my letter copied a dozen times. Then my phone at work rang. It was him. He started yelling and threatening me. I tried to explain what I was upset about, but he was too mad to listen. He just kept telling me I had messed with the wrong guy. When I realized that this was going nowhere, I hung up. When the phone rang again, I let voicemail take it. He ranted for several more minutes to my voicemail and ended with: "If you think this is over, you're wrong!" At that point, I was shaken and let it go. Fortunately is was over, and I have not heard from him again. I think people deserve to know what they are getting into if they deal with him, so that is why I am telling this tale. Make your own decisions. I know of a lot of other people who are happy with the product, but I will not have the chance to find out because of the way they dealt with me as a customer.

BTW: The skids from Tomken arived on the exact day that they said they would.

Installation

Installation was fairly straight forward, and the instructions were adequate. The installation would be much easier with two people, but with the generous use of jacks to hold thing in place while I marked and drilled, they went on without too much difficulty.

Here is a picture of one of the brackets and a part of one bar.

Cost

Postscript