Recommendations

[CumminsJeep]

If you have a locker, you will definitely get yourself into situations where rocker damage is more possible. So just be weary of the situations.

[WAD357]

lock it up it will make a world of a difference

[JoeNitro]

1997 TJ 4in Skyjacker Lift on 33's, Disco's, soft 8's, cb w/ firestik, Hi-lift and tow hooks, rustys HD tie rod and track bar, Smittybilt tube fenders w/ 3'' flare

id buy a better track bar and tie rod

if i were in your situation. assuming your jeep is in good shape i would protect it to keep it that way. you can go pretty far open/open but if you hit a rock or get hung up and smash a rocker that kinda sucks you can get a locker another time you only get one chance to protect your rockers b4 they get smashed... just sayin

[Henchman]

I'd say sliders, I went to OER last year and destroyed my rockers

[Zullock Holmes]

for your first time out you can have a blast on 33's open/open, i wheeled that way for a while and its really not that bad, just have to know the limits of your rig.

for a nice vehicle though, i'd say protect them rockers first.

[clean4drxj]

get sliders and front diff protection..

[1cleantj]

protect first, chances are if you get in an area where you cant get any traction at all, someone will be there with a winch/recovery strap to get you by. once you destroy your tub, your going to kick yourself in the ass, especially if you go to sell it. also with a locker = probably get into more difficult spots (more carnage), easier to snap axle shafts. ive been into some sweet trails open/open and glad i was armored up.

if your looking for some good rocker guards in your budget, im still parting out my jeep to stock. I got a set of olympic4x4 a/t rock rails ill sell ya much cheaper then new(retail new $350) just pm me

[ninetysix-ex-jay]

I would say do sliders first. I wheeled blacks open/open with 33's and used the hell out of my sliders. Granted, I spent a lot more time on a trail and used a lot more man peddle then people with lockers but I still would stay sliders and stick to blue trails and you'll still have a blast.