I'm planning some rock sliders for the runner.
I was talking with some friends who run jeeps the other day about it. My original plan was to weld the sliders to the frame. My friends suggested bolting them on by creating a c clamp type of setup with a long bolt behind the frame holding them on; they said it would provide some give in a hard hit rather than bending the frame.
So, should I weld them or bolt them?

 

if you know how to weld id say weld..

 

Welding them on is easier in my opinion. Some would also say that it is stronger, although this is debatable.

Bolt on sliders are convenient if you plan on selling your truck in the future and want keep the sliders. You'll have to drill into your frame, which is find is more work than welding.

 

Search around, this one comes to mind:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/q...d-gens-190322/

 

the problem with bolting them on u have to sleeve the frame so u dont bend it in when u tighten the bolts down and the likely hood of bending the frame by dropping it down no matter how hard it is is highly unlikely bc our frame is much stronger than a jeeps always remember that toyota is always better no matter what!!!

 

I bolted mine on, some bolts went through the frame completely and some were drilled on one side and tapped. Note the frame will crush, and either way (welding or bolting) use a plate to spread the load.

My install went like this: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f31/...nstall-100157/

 

i had some homemade sliders on my 84 pickup that were welded on and they held up to a few good hits and a roll over at 35mph. after the roll i didn't get to do too much wheeling so as far as i know of they're still good and strong. (22RE threw a rod through both sides of the block and i got rid of the truck)

 

I'm a 1st gen guy, so allow for my lack of knowledge on your 4rnr's. I welded them on, they've taken the weight of the vehicle on and off trail. I made the backing plates and three sided gussets. Worth the effect. Won't do it any other way. Though mine are pushed up so they contact the body so get vibrations from time to time. Modded motor mount so its a little louder than your would be.

 

weld them on. but not directly. weld a 1/4" plate to the frame, then the slider...

here is how mine turned out. I love them, they protect my truck, its a place to use my high lift to lift the truck on the trail, and they are both part of my on board air system.

 

1. Never ever listen to anyone that drives a Jeep cause they are driving a Jeep.

2. Weld them on.

3. If you want bolt on buy some nerf bars and stay in the mall parking lot.

 

X2 this is what i did

 

I also plan on putting sliders on my truck, but I have been looking around, and it seems like 4Crawler has some really nice sliders, and they are bolt-on. He also seems to know what he is talking about. If you want some more info go to 4crawler.com, and click on the MissingLinkz button. He has a detailed write-up on them there.
just my $.02

 

Come on Wabbit, you could hook-up a crane hook to my bolt-on sliders and lift the whole truck off the ground. Sure there are bad bolt-on jobs out there, but the same could be said of bugger weld jobs too.

 

I concur

 

If you weld it right, the weld should be stronger than the metal around it.

I am with wabbit on this one.

 

 

From what I read, Make sure you weld at a 45 degree angle across the frame, not right down the side of it...

I was debating the same thing, to weld or to bolt... While I was in the process of making these my truck was rear-ended. It's now a salvage...sooooo Who cares!! weld away I say.

May be different for you though, I was very wary of welding to the frame before. I would also disconnect your battery just to be safe...

Also- one other stupid mistake I made. When I was fitting them to the truck, I forgot to compensate for the movement of the body in relationship to the frame. My sliders almost touch the body and it made a horrible screeching sound. I ended up having to pound out the pinch weld on the body around the slider support bars.... Learn from my idiocy! =)