Yota Tony

I've got some 2x4 1/4" tube kicking around my garage that I want to get rid of.
So I was thinking about welding the tube under my current rockers and then bracing it to the frame in a few places.

I plan to leave 2 or 3" sticking out to give me a step of sorts and I may or may not add some tube to them. Depends what they look like when welded in.

Opinions?

KyleT

I Made mine from 2x2 1/8" square tubing. dont weld them to the body though, leave a 1/4" gap for room to flex.

Gerdo

That is some stout steel! I just built some sliders out of 2x2x.120 and I thought that was heavy. It would certanly protect your rockers. I left a 1/2" between the sliders and the rocker pinch weld, seems like the magic number that most leave. 2x2x.25 would make a bomber bumper.

Elvota

I don't care for the red.

If you are talking about tying your frame to the cab with your rocker protection, you are going to loose the comfort your body spacers provide against engine and road vibration.

If that doesn't matter.... then your idea and material choice seem very stout.

lr9788

what are the red lines on the door for?

Elvota

Either half doors or a tribute to the A-Team.

Yota Tony

Elvota got it.
I just saved over the orginal file, oops.

I'll leave a grap between the body and slider. What should I make the braces out of? Weld them or bolt them to the frame?

Yota Tony

Alright, I went out with my tape measure. Looks like I'm sitting at about 4 ft of tube per side so I've got enough.

I'll make the support legs from either some more of the 2x4 (if I have enough left over) or I'll get some 2x2 1/4". Weld some backing plates and then weld it right to the frame.

Sleeper

Don't forget the gussets as well.

Yota Tony

Yes I will gusset for sure.

I just went to my garage and measured what I have. Total of 10ft of steel so that should give me enough for at least 1 side. I'll have to measure tomorrow.

AxleIke

This looks cool.

Curious, have you considered actually replacing the rockers? I've seen a few trucks with the rockers completely replaced with square steel tubing, and it looks great. You have to see a stock truck to see that they didn't come that way...Just a thought.

Keep up the good work

Yota Tony

That's what I was kind of thinking with this.

However Peterson's did that on there old UA Full size Chevy and managed to mush up the whole cab.
I'll just stick with what I've decided.

Yota Tony

Made some measurements today for the frame braces.
Using the 10ft of 2x4 1/4" stock I have.
4ft per side for the rockers, 2 ft left over for support legs (2 per side), will need approx 5.5-6" per leg, which will give about 2-3" of the tube sticking out.

Gerdo

My main tube is 5' long and I used 3 suport legs. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/sliders-fab-up-110109/

Yota Tony

I might add another tube, we'll see.

Nice looking sliders

Gerdo

At 4' 2 legs should be fine. The conpany that makes sliders for the Xterra only use 2 legs on them.

Yota Tony

Thanks Gerdo.

Took more measurements today and did a diagram.


I'm thinking about cutting the end at an angle but I dunno yet.
How wide should I make the frame mounts?
I think I'll bolt AND weld them to the frame.

Napoleon047

do you just want to protect the rockers or do you want actual sliders?

if you want actual sliders, take them closer to the rear tires or rocks will get caught between the back of the slider and the tire. not such a big deal until you have to back up

Yota Tony

I have nothing in the rear to protect though, apart from my fuel tank which has a skid. I've got no bed on my truck.

I'm really just trying to keep rocks off my rockers.

Elvota

You might consider how this new armor is going to work on the terrain you wheel.

I would think you might want to run the slider from wheel to wheel in order to make the truck roll better when it's against a high boulder. One can actually use the sliders to squeeze through and around trail obstacles.

If you slider is short, once past the back end, the vehicle line will change which could cause problems or allow the rear wheel to climb up the obstacle your sliding against instead of around.

If you won't be using the sliders in this manner, than shorter might work well and will definitely protect your sheet metal.