im gonna be building myself a set of sliders for my truck in the near future, but i needed some advice.

the mounting plates will be 3/16 steel and welded solid to the frame.
off of those plates will be outriggers, 11ga. 2''x2'' box tubing.

but heres where i need the input. off of those outriggers, i want to sleeve over 11ga. 2.25'' box tubing that is welded to the body of the slider. or vice versa.

the idea i had was to make it reversible. i.e. able to flip it for every day use and have it stand in as a running board and when i take my truck wheeling, i flip it and i got me a set of sliders. i was thinking of securing it with pins like whats used on tow hitches. im not sure if i wanna have 2 pins in each outrigger or just one, that kinda makes a big difference. haha. removing 4 or 8 pins on each side... the rail that attaches to the outriggers/sleeves i was thinking of using either 2''x2'' or 2''x3'' box tube. and for the sliders that will be the part protecting the body i was planning on using 1.75 x .120 pipe.

another question i had was wether i should go with DOM or HREW steel?

hopefully ill have something drawn up soon, but yeah, any input is appreciated

 

sounds like a slick setup... for sliders on a weekend wheeler, HREW should be plenty strong... if you're building a exo for a competition buggy go DOM.

 

I have seen sliders that attach like you described but never seen ones that flip over. The design looks legit for a removable setup, except they used 2x grade 8 bolts through each of the outrigger connections. Would probably be better to use bolts over a pin. I could see one issue with a setup that gets flipped over like you describe. Unless you only have 2 outrigger legs, youll have to do some pretty darn accurate fab work to make 3+ legs and bolt holes line up when you change orientaion. Could be done though, just sayin.

Anyways, why make a setup that youve gotta take the time to change over? Theres always the option of making step sliders and killing two birds with one stone. Mount the sliders as high up as possible and keep them horizontal, then plate the face to make a step. You might lose like 1-2" of clearance on the outer rail of the sliders, but so what - the slider has slighly more chance to do its job on a rock and the rest of the time gives you a step. Win win.

 

Oh yeah, I think the sliders I've seen that bolt on the way you described were from white knuckle offroad. Their site seems to be down right now, but check them out. I found them when looking at sliders for my cruiser. Good luck.

 

So call me lame but I've never heard of these. I'm going to get sliders soon and my wife is 5' even. She wants a step. Anyways if you've got any pictures of these that would be awesome.

 

thanks for the input guys, ive thought about making the sliders horizontal and plating the interior as well. it would make the job so much easier and faster with no calculating for outrigger placement as well as cutting the angles for the slider tubes. im just not sure it will look as good or perform as well as id expect since it is a compromise inbetween having none, and having a reversible set. honestly, the only real reason im considering making the pipes reversable is because the last few chicks ive dated have been under 5'6'' and my truck is lifted 9''...otherwise i would make them one piece, stand alone units that are there as a permanent solution incase im dumb enough to run over a fkn boulder. haha!

tofer: this set up is for my DD, barely even a weekend warrior. maybe a once a month warrior...haha

highonpottery: i swear ive seen a set designed similar on one of the boards i frequent, but i cant remember off the top of my head. it was from that, that i got the idea, just couldnt put my finger on the final details.

ill definitely get some skecthes up as well as some scale drawings for you guys to template if you wanted. kinda impractical for me to offer it as something FS on the board, as shipping from hawaii would rape you guys. haha! oh well. if/when i get a solid prototype, id love it to have some others try it out and get some positive feedback!

 

here's what i was talking about for a "step slider":

these particular ones are from Slee Offroad, for a 100 series Land Cruiser. You get the idea.

Here would be your typical "angled tube slider" that tucks up a tad higher on the outer rail, but not by that much as you're always going to be limited by the door:


I can't seem to find the image of the bolted together, slip joint sliders that I was talking about. I though it was from WKOR, but I guess I was wrong.

 

I think he's wanting to do them angled up for max rocker clearance then flip them over for a drop step for the ladies

 

I've never seen those before. Just goes to show you you never know whats out there. What if the sliders were permanent but you had removable steps. You could keep them in with a hitch pin and then take them out when you're on the trails.

 

hit the nail on the head

 

you could also make steps like i did


the vertical part is un welded. the horizontal links are welded together. that way you can stand on it to get in but it moves when you hit rocks.

 

i've got rocker damage, i'm considering cutting the outter rockers out and welding in square channel and panning it to the frame as a high clearance rock slider since i run doors off normally, has anybody seen this?any suggestions

 

tofer do u have any close ups of your bars? im thinking of making some.

 

i love myz: that's like "boat siding" the hardcore rock crawling guys do that. look it up on 4wor.com

 

i think this would be the only prob.
making them, so the outrigger legs (more than 2) line up when you flip them will be very hard to do