Trail Gear Sliders Installed
#1
Trail Gear Sliders Installed
Received the sliders on Thursday of last week and had them installed on Saturday. They're the 58" length listed for the 3rd gen 4Runner, which leave a bit of room front and rear when centered. I'm going to be doing more expedition-type travel, so I'm not too concerned with the exposed areas, though.
Otherwise, I wanted something that could also function as a step, so we didn't tuck it up against the body as much as most folks do. It sits at 11 degrees...so it does angle up a little bit. This, as I found out after we finished, makes it sit out a little bit further than the factory side-steps - great for side protection, but rubs my leg more than the side-steps did.
I'd originally wanted to bolt to the frame but drilling the holes for the top would have been a pain in the arse. So the brackets were welded instead. I'd ordered gussets, but they weren't included in the box. So we used some 'found' materials; worked out quite well, actually. Paint is RustOlium hammer finish rattle can. The match to the body cladding is almost perfect.
Overall, I'm very happy and think they turned out well.
I still need to spray the frame areas with automotive undercoating, paying special attention to the non-welded areas against the frame and the holes. I don't want water getting up between the brackets and frame rails.
Next step is to install my OME lift that's sitting in the garage. Then on to plugs, wires, fan clutch, synthetics all around, HELLA 500 install, and a roof rack modification - and I should be good to go for my 3000k trek out West this summer
Otherwise, I wanted something that could also function as a step, so we didn't tuck it up against the body as much as most folks do. It sits at 11 degrees...so it does angle up a little bit. This, as I found out after we finished, makes it sit out a little bit further than the factory side-steps - great for side protection, but rubs my leg more than the side-steps did.
I'd originally wanted to bolt to the frame but drilling the holes for the top would have been a pain in the arse. So the brackets were welded instead. I'd ordered gussets, but they weren't included in the box. So we used some 'found' materials; worked out quite well, actually. Paint is RustOlium hammer finish rattle can. The match to the body cladding is almost perfect.
Overall, I'm very happy and think they turned out well.
I still need to spray the frame areas with automotive undercoating, paying special attention to the non-welded areas against the frame and the holes. I don't want water getting up between the brackets and frame rails.
Next step is to install my OME lift that's sitting in the garage. Then on to plugs, wires, fan clutch, synthetics all around, HELLA 500 install, and a roof rack modification - and I should be good to go for my 3000k trek out West this summer
#2
Registered User
looking good! Sliders give you so much more confidence and security when wheeling on the rocks.
Sometimes I wish I would have installed my sliders like you did so they can be used as a step. I'm 6'3, so don't need a step, but my passengers often wish they did.
Sometimes I wish I would have installed my sliders like you did so they can be used as a step. I'm 6'3, so don't need a step, but my passengers often wish they did.
#6
Registered User
I have the TG sliders too and the 58" length hasn't bothered me at all. They still protect just fine and I've wheeled with them pretty hard for the last 3 weeks or so. Actually, all of the contact they've had with rocks or anything has been right in the middle of the slider. It's surprisingly hard to find a rock shaped perfectly enough to fit right in-between the slider and the tire and and tall enough to actually do damage to the body/rocker panels.
I looked at the AllPro Offroad sliders before I got the TGs, but I just could not justify paying double the price for 1" more slider on the front and 1" more on the back (AllPro's are 60"). The kickouts are nice, but I personally don't like the way they look very much and they still don't make the slider worth anywhere near double.
I looked at the AllPro Offroad sliders before I got the TGs, but I just could not justify paying double the price for 1" more slider on the front and 1" more on the back (AllPro's are 60"). The kickouts are nice, but I personally don't like the way they look very much and they still don't make the slider worth anywhere near double.
#7
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Jealous. I have been eying a set for a couple weeks now. Glad to see one on the same color runner. Pretty classy rig ya got there..
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
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#8
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what did you use to weld them on? Mig or stick? What rod did you burn. I got some 4xinnovations sliders sittin at the house waitin for me to get home.gonna put them on this weekend.
#9
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I looked at the AllPro Offroad sliders before I got the TGs, but I just could not justify paying double the price for 1" more slider on the front and 1" more on the back (AllPro's are 60"). The kickouts are nice, but I personally don't like the way they look very much and they still don't make the slider worth anywhere near double.
#10
Registered User
Jealous. I have been eying a set for a couple weeks now. Glad to see one on the same color runner. Pretty classy rig ya got there..
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
I'm sure the Chinese steel isn't as quality as American steel, but either is fine for sliders. Now if you want "slammers" instead, you might want to go with thick sidewall DOM. My Chinese HREW sliders still feel like they weigh about 60 or 70 lbs. each. The kickouts are functional, I just don't like the look of them.
#11
looking good! Sliders give you so much more confidence and security when wheeling on the rocks.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm not planning on doing anything too crazy on our trip, but I like the added security of having them. You never know...
Sometimes I wish I would have installed my sliders like you did so they can be used as a step. I'm 6'3, so don't need a step, but my passengers often wish they did.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm not planning on doing anything too crazy on our trip, but I like the added security of having them. You never know...
Sometimes I wish I would have installed my sliders like you did so they can be used as a step. I'm 6'3, so don't need a step, but my passengers often wish they did.
Thanks!
Heh...I wish. I'm taking baby steps, here
I have the TG sliders too and the 58" length hasn't bothered me at all. They still protect just fine and I've wheeled with them pretty hard for the last 3 weeks or so. Actually, all of the contact they've had with rocks or anything has been right in the middle of the slider. It's surprisingly hard to find a rock shaped perfectly enough to fit right in-between the slider and the tire and and tall enough to actually do damage to the body/rocker panels.
Jealous. I have been eying a set for a couple weeks now. Glad to see one on the same color runner. Pretty classy rig ya got there..
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
I am also wondering about the length. Trail-Gear offers a 67" which is listed for the 4Runner, but the body length is about 70" between the wheels. Why not get the 67"s for $5 more? Some other sliders mark that at the length of their 4 Runner sliders.
Just noticed we have the same tires too. Twins-ish.
Re length, I didn't want to go too long and have to modify the bottom of the flares and body cladding. Guess it'd be different if it was a dedicated trail rig. But, it certainly wouldn't be too hard to modify them. You could easily cut an end to extend or shorten it to whatever you needed.
My buddy has a wire feed welder. Gets a little splatter but cleans up well with a wire wheel. Looks like they used a Mig welder on the assembled components, though...nice and clean. Def post pics when you get yours installed.
Last edited by dgz32; 06-07-2010 at 06:36 PM.
#12
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Those look great!! and your welding job much prettier than mine.
I've been pounding on my TG sliders for 2years now and they are holding up great.
Yours look like you got them powdercoated to match the limited flares.
I like the fact that when I go into the grocery store my doors and rockers are protected from stupid door dings from inconsiderate individuals and haters.
I've been pounding on my TG sliders for 2years now and they are holding up great.
Yours look like you got them powdercoated to match the limited flares.
I like the fact that when I go into the grocery store my doors and rockers are protected from stupid door dings from inconsiderate individuals and haters.
#13
Registered User
Shoulda welded in the rosettes =) Thats what all the holes are for =)
But you wont have any problems anyhoo.... As far as all pro vs TG.. it really doesnt matter, they're a non structural piece of equipment with one purpose, to take all the abuse so your rockers dont.
Just put a set on my brothers 09 4 door Tacoma, came out very nice =) I also have them on my truck.. reminds me i need to sand em and recoat em this summer, they've got a lot of rock rash :-p
But you wont have any problems anyhoo.... As far as all pro vs TG.. it really doesnt matter, they're a non structural piece of equipment with one purpose, to take all the abuse so your rockers dont.
Just put a set on my brothers 09 4 door Tacoma, came out very nice =) I also have them on my truck.. reminds me i need to sand em and recoat em this summer, they've got a lot of rock rash :-p
#14
Those look great!! and your welding job much prettier than mine.
I've been pounding on my TG sliders for 2years now and they are holding up great.
Yours look like you got them powdercoated to match the limited flares.
I like the fact that when I go into the grocery store my doors and rockers are protected from stupid door dings from inconsiderate individuals and haters.
I've been pounding on my TG sliders for 2years now and they are holding up great.
Yours look like you got them powdercoated to match the limited flares.
I like the fact that when I go into the grocery store my doors and rockers are protected from stupid door dings from inconsiderate individuals and haters.
Would have preferred to have welded those in, but we were running out of time and wire. Should be OK, though. Guess I could always have them welded at a later date...but they're very stout as they are
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