Started building my own sliders today!

Ive got the slider welded on the passenger side. I have one concern... when jacking on the slider i have about 3/16" of flex. Is this cause for concern? it goes back to where it was, no cracked welds or anything.

Is a little flex normal?

 

Perfectly normal. How big of a gap did you leave between the slider legs and the cab?

 

about 3/8" so there is half the gap when both wheels off the ground...

 

Yeah thats fine. I've never heard of sliders that don't flex a little.

 

I can tell its the leg flexing, the welds are staying solid, just scared me a bit... one good thing is it does go back to original...

 

yes but only the front two legs... i figured with 4 legs (one every 14") i wouldnt need them on every one. (i think i will get some 3/16" plate for gusseting) tough to get in there and weld ontop of the sliders.

i did a test a little while ago. i jacked the truck up and set a jackstand about 6" below the jack level. I kicked the jack out from under the slider and it dropped onto the slider. no damage, no additional flex and it went back to the original position. they are tough!!!

 

its not the silders its the frame twisting a little its normal mine moves way more then that, but they are bolted on. Looks great simple and strong.

 

you know what you are right!!!!! i jacked it up again and took a straight edge to the slider... they are straight and 90 degrees to the frame but the frame isnt quite 90 to the cab but is when not on the jack... 3/16" deflection is at the end of the slider 13" from the frame. so there really isnt much flex

 

yeah the C frames are not that strong in side twisting loads in that manner. its really not a big deal. no problem.

 

do you think mine moves less than yours due to shorter frame?

I wonder if adding the transfer case skid/ support/ crossmember would help, one of my next projects

 

um i think that mine is because its not as tight to the frame and when you welded that to the frame you heated the frame up a lot then it cooled and became stiffer where the weld was and a little more brittle. (some people freak out about this its really nothing to worry about) also do agree with you about the frame being longer having more twist.

I do think that the trasfer case Xmember will help with your frame stiffness. but i dont think that your frame stiffness is something that you should worry about.

BTW always remember to disconnect your battery before welding on your truck, if not this can short the welder to the battery. can do damage to the truck and welder its rare and mostly only with older welders but i do it anyway.

 

was step number 1... thanks though

 

Finished my sliders today



I also gusseted the front 3 supports (back ones dont have room for gussets...)

 

now time to get some tires...

 

haha bfg km2s?

 

eh... i here they arent that good in snow, not enough siping. Which was true for the MT/Rs i had on my last truck...

Im still debating what tire size i want 255/85s? or 265/75s...

i want 255/85s but dont want to regear

 

CANT DO THIS WITH RUNNING BOARDS!!!

NEW TIRES

 

What size did you end up with? Throw in a side shot I bet those OR wheels are gonna look

 

Looks like 265/75/16s

 

yup load e