What's the best side protection, rectangular frame mount bars or the side panels/bars that bolt to panel and underneath to body(olympic etc). I don't have the bankroll for trial and error. Help?  

what make, modle, and yr of Jeep do you have?? Since a TJ, and YJ and ZJ and XJ will all have differnt types of side protection. and what works for a TJ might not be a good company for a ZJ...so whats your Jeep??  

sorry, cookie cutter stock 05 x tj  

In your case, i would check out Poison Spyder customs at www.spydercustoms.com  I have heard they are pretty good. Just wish they made some stuff for my ZJ... Im sure there are other companys and so forth, just this is one that comes to mind right away. Hope this helps some.

I like their upcoming Helldorado line of cages etc. Pricing is pending.  

yea thats the way to go about it, find some thing you like and dont care what others have to say about it. If you know its from a quality company and you like it, get it. If i had a TJ, i would have their crusher corners, flares, tube fenders, a cage and rock sliders.  and any thing else i could afford. Im kinda bummed they dont make some stuff for the ZJ's. wouldnt be that hard to modify some of the stuff to fit on my Jeep. But yea, find what you like, save up and buy it. personally, i would buy rock sliders that bolt to my frame and body and also make sure they have a decent area that i can insert my High lift jack, incase you need to jack up the side to unstick your self.