Before I went to TJ flares, my YJ had the stock side flares/steps that were integrated with the front flares. When going to TJ flares, the extra wide openings necessitated removing these side steps. In order to cover up the holes in the body as well as add some rocker panel protection, I got some 3"x4", 1/4" thick, aluminum angle iron. Although aluminum is not as strong as steel, a 1/4" thick piece will protect the rocker in all but the most gruesome bashings. As a benefit, Aluminum is light and does not weigh down the vehicle.

Tim also added this protection to his CJ-7, and has already tested it on Bronco Peak. Aluminum will gouge, but it serves it's purpose. For $28 dollars total, to protect both sides, it can also be replaced quite cheaply.

Mounting the angle iron can be a bit tricky though...You need to put the bolts though the sheet metal where you have enough room to put a nut on the end of them. I managed to put ten, 5/16" diameter, 1" long bolts per side. They are staggered, however as it was sometimes hard to keep the bolts in pairs...

Here's a shot of the side just after I painted the 10 bolts. (Excuse the glare caused by Tim's CJ...)

Some of the bolts are hidden from view by my TJ flares...

Here's a shot of the underside of the angle iron. I rubberized the inside part of the angle iron and painted the outside with Hammerite paint on top of Hammerite's Aluminum primer...

I will update this when I get a chance to test them out! They do look good!!!