While searching for a new set of hard-core rocker protection, I saw that PSC introduced their new Brawler line of body armor and bumpers.  Their new Brawler Rockers caught our eye and we contacted Larry McRae, owner of PSC, to gain more information on the new, two-piece “mini boatside” rocker armor. 

Soon after speaking with Mr. McRae, I received one of the first sets of the all-new PSC Brawler Rockers. Unloading the heavy boxes off of the delivery truck was telling! While I normally don’t like adding a lot of weight to a JK, adding protective weight in the rocker area is perfectly acceptable, as this is one of the most vulnerable areas on any Jeep. Each two-piece PSC rocker must tip the scales at close to 80 or 90 pounds and is CNC laser cut, 3/16ths brake formed plate steel. This is tough stuff, and I’d put steel in this location before aluminum every time. Internal gussets are welded in and run down the entire length of each rub rail, adding incredibly overbuilt strength. Each Rocker also sports 11 lightning holes that not only save some weight but make great ports to hose out mud and rocks that might have entered during a hard day in the rough. They are well thought out and look great.

The Brawler Rockers were ordered in bare steel and a layer of fine textured truck bed liner was sprayed on. After receiving them back from paint, I began installation and experienced why a well-engineered product is such a joy to mount up. Each of the two pieces lined up together, and on the Jeep itself, without a hitch.  There was no wrestling around trying to get bolts to line up with holes or shoving the Rockers around to line them up on the Jeep body mounts. They are a perfect fit and were installed by one person! 

However, I did have a slight problem with the Nutsert tool.  Many people who have installed Nutserts on their vehicle have had problems during this process. The tool PSC includes with the Brawler Rockers works well, however, the bolt head is too short. I almost stripped the head while struggling with one of the Nutserts, so a washer was used with a diameter slightly smaller than the bolt head to allow the socket to bite more surface area. It worked flawlessly and I breezed through the rest of the Nutserts faster than ever before. 

The Rockers look beautiful on our Jeep and I actually feel terrible that we had to go and beat them against the rocks … but we did on purpose, for you, the reader! We carelessly ran through one of our favorite local rock gardens, where the rocks are larger than our Jeep and rocker sliding is inevitable, to test out the Brawler Rockers. With attachment points at the body mounts, the Rockers feel as if they are part of the frame when laying the Jeep down on rocks.

Minor scratches in the bed liner is all that we experienced, with no damage to the Rockers or Jeep.  One thing to note about the Brawler Rockers is that we actually had a hard time hitting them on rocks. They’re designed this way. With a rub rail that is only out-boarded 3.25” inches, then “boat-sided” down to the frame, they tuck up nicely to avoid the rocks better than expected. But if you do hit them, you’ll feel confident that your Jeep’s thin body rocker panels are completely protected by the Poison Spyder Customs Brawler Rockers. 

Poison Spyder Customs lives up to its reputation with the Brawler Rockers and I’m proud to be finally wearing their signature Spyder logo after 25 years. They are extremely durable and just might be the best-looking addition to our new Jeep as well. If you need rocker panel protection that will fend off the most metal hungry rocks, take a look at the Brawler Rockers. They do not disappoint in any way.

Contact
Poison Spyder Customs, Inc.
1143 W. Lincoln St., #20
Banning, CA 92220 USA
(951) 849-5911
http://www.poisonspydercustoms.com/