Trail Gear Bolt-On Sliders

Well after evaluating my needs and budget I decided to pull the trigger on a set of Trail Gear bolt-on sliders. I am not a heavy off-road enthusiast but I did want something to cover me in the event I take a jolt to the side or bottom while wheeling. I did a ton of research and I must admit I am impressed with the purchased product and their shipped price (To the door price of $305.00).

I will be updating this thread as the install progresses. As for plans, I am going with full bolt on attachment to my frame and painting them myself with Rustoleum products (Primer and Bed Liner rattlecans).

Day 1 was spent sanding things down and applying 1 can of primer to each rail. I then started with my frame drilling, 1 slow hole at a time... All I have to say is WATCH OUT for the plastic gas tank on the rear set of holes. I was a little too close for comfort and pucker factor was a strong 10 on that realization.

 

Is it plastic?

I thought I tapped on mine and it was metal, with a plastic skid under it

 

I'm glad to hear you like the TG sliders, I'm thinking of ordering some.

 

Nope, really really soft plastic

 

Two cans on this slider and things are looking good!

Rustoleum bed liner seems to stop working upright once the can is about 1/2 empty. I ended up turning the can sideways just to finish things.

 

Looks good I got the trail gear weld it your self kit for $220 is from 4wheelparts but I wish I went with the bolt on kit cuz alot easier to install

 

How was the install for you? Specifically the front bracket holes where the long bolts go through. I'm installing mine right now and it is a complete pita. Did you have to drill a lot of holes?

 

i want to see how the TG's look mounted...

 

Looks good so far...

 

Yeah I'm starting day 2 today to finish drilling the holes after 4hours yesterday. On the front mounting bracket the frame is boxed which sucks even more. After getting the first side of the frame we decided to bring out the settling torch because this the taking way too long!

I'm sure once we finally get it on then they will work fine. But the design and thought into these sliders is just poor... If you want bolt on sliders so it isn't permanently stuck on your truck and don't want to deal with drilling 20+ holes in you're frame and multiple days to deal with then I suggest you save up to buy some all pro sliders, mainly because they specialize in toyota and put a lot of work into theirs. The only holes you have to drill on those are the holes for the bottom mounting brackets.

I don't suggest trail gear bolt on sliders for 2008+ model years

 

I installed a pair of TG bolt on sliders a few months ago on my 13 DCSB and it really wasn't that bad. They only took a few hours to install on the truck. The key was drilling a small pilot hole with a GOOD drill and then open them up with a 1/2" Unibit. The stepped drill easily cuts thru the hardened steel frame. You also do not need to drill completely thru the boxed section of the frame for the front mounting points. I was able to reach my hand up into frame rail and install backing plates and nuts.

 

Ha you could? Maybe they changed the frame a bit. And I'm using a 1/4 cobalt drill for the pilot and then the 1/2 with another cobalt. But you think the stepped ones cut better into the frame?

 

BAMF bolt on FTW. Only a few holes to drill and you can buy the drill bits directly from Jerry. Plus he really supports this site. I have an Allpro rear bumper but they are never active around here. Jerry will always answer a pm within a couple hours.

 

Also how could you fit the long 6" bolts in if you didn't cut through it?

 

Yeah I went with the trail gear sliders because they have a vendor here and was cheap. From now on I will only be buying stuff that are specifically designed and emphasized for tacomas such as bamf, allpro, Demello, etc...

 

I didn't use the 6" long bolts. Instead I picked up some shorter grade 8's from McMaster Carr. I taped the nut and washer to the end of the box wrench, this extended my reach enough to get the nut on. Keep in mind installing something this heavy is a 2 person job, so my buddy could turn the bolt as I was reaching in the frame.

 

I ended up going with a weld on the front holes because I was not able to get the 6" bolts in either.

As for the Allpro, Demello and such, DAMN SKIPPY but this was about cost and I understand they have a great product I just cant afford/justify their prices.

 

Here is mine. I gave up drilling the 20+ holes and just welding them on.

 

Those looks great on there. Did you weld or have it done?

 

I did it myself.