Bolt or weld sliders?

I'm having some Allpro apex sliders put on tomorrow. The shop would rather weld them then bolt them on. I don't know if it's because they think it will be easier or what. I know welding should be stronger, but I havn't seen this shops work. It's an offroad place that builds lots of buggies and jeeps. So they should know what they are doing. They said they were going to tack weld them, not sure if he meant bolt on AND tack weld or what.

I obviously don't know shit about welding, so what do I need to ask/specify to make sure these guys do a good job? I need to be able to jack from these.

I couldnt find instructions but here is a pic of how they mount

 

did you order weld on or bolt on sliders?

 

They are bolt on

 

then they should be bolted on.

 

Then bolt them on no need to weld on bolt on sliders. and tacks would he worthless if they are going to weld them they need to fully weld them.

 

you paid more for bolt on so no point in paying even more to have them welded on. most people order bolt on sliders so they can put them on themselves.

 

Bolt on are just as strong as weld on. If they are 100% bolt on (no drilling holes in frame) it should be a quick.amd easy job for them. Or you could.save the money and just do it with basic hand tools.

 

Bolt on are not as strong as weld on, and just because they are bolt on sliders does not mean they should't be welded on.

I'm having the shop do some other stuff I can't do myself so I'm having them do the sliders at the same time for convenience. I've already had a full week doing skids, lights, switchpro, rack and tent myself. Last thing I want to do this weekend is wrestle 80lb sliders into place on my sloped driveway by myself.

What I'm really asking is if I choose to have them welded, what type of welding should be done and where all should the welds be?

 

someone might have a bit better knowledge on this than me, but aren't weld on sliders designed differently for where they weld on?

depending on the quality of welds bolts can be stronger.

 

Welding these sliders on wont make them stronger. The design of the flange on bolt-on sliders isn't conducive to taking advantage of the weld.

 

Ok I will just have them bolted if theres no advantage, thanks

 

No they are just as strong. I'm guessing that grade 10.9 bolts were supplied as thats what my BAMF 1st gen sliders had and what my All Pro FJ sliders use. Go look up the tensile and yield strength of those bolts....

Bolt on is every bit as strong as weld on. Not arguing, it's a fact. Becuase science. They will more than adequately support the truck for jacking and smashing on rocks.

 

Did the guy at the shop see the sliders? Welding them on is stronger, but the sliders in the picture look like they are pretty well designed to just be bolted on. I agree with just bolting them on the way they were designed to be.

I can understand the shop guy's sentiment--usually buggies and crawlers need to be tough as nails and welding is just how they build them. It's a 2016 Tacoma though, not a buggy. And I sure hope he meant stitch weld and not tack weld...

 

It's more about design then just having a bunch of strong bolts. Bolt-ons can be just as strong but there has a be a good design behind it.

 

If bolts were stronger than welds they'd bolt everything together in this world.

 

The OP definitely posted a picture of some well-designed bolt-on sliders that should be plenty strong even if they are just bolted on, but what you said doesn't quite make sense. The bolts might be incredibly strong, but that just means they aren't the weakest link. Poorly designed bolt-on sliders can bend the frame where the bolts are, or even pull the bolts through frame. Just about any bolt is made from stronger steel than a truck frame, even cheap grade 2 bolts. Frames are made from pretty thin low or medium carbon steel that has been annealed.

The main reason weld-on is considered stronger is because it disperses the force of an impact over a greater area of the frame. Good bolt-on sliders sandwich the frame with lots of steel plate to accomplish the same thing.

 

They always want to weld them on because it's a lot easier saves them a lot of time. I've never heard of an off-road shop that suggested bolting over welding.
PS I've worked in many off-road shops including Dick cepek and four wheel parts. They love the welding it so quick and easy. You removing them thats your problem , voiding the warranty by welding on your frame that's your problem. have computer troubles down the road and the dealer blames it on the welding that's your problem.

 

Thats what I figured, easier and quicker. I'm telling them to bolt them, and do the EXTRA bolting that requires drilling!

 

And tell them to shoot some epoxy based chassis paint in the holes they drill before bolting the sliders on. Give them a can of aerosol paint if you have to. And before you drop the truck off, clean the frame and spray some epoxy based chassis paint on any thin or bare spots that will be covered by the sliders. VHT and others make aerosol chassis paint that is available in most auto parts stores. And if there is any rust at all that will be covered by the sliders don't just spray over it. Scrape and brush off any loose rust then use naval jelly (also available at all auto parts stores) to neutralize the rust and then spray it. It's your last chance to get at those surfaces without a lot of work and hassle

 

BTW I am really happy with my Allpro bolt ons. Plenty strong and well designed.

And...to correctly weld on the sliders you purchased the shop would need to cut off the big frame mounting plates, weld plates and gussets onto the end of each arm, and then weld those plates to the side of the frame. I'm very suspicious of their knowledge and skills if they knew exactly what sliders you had. Would have been a rust trapping completely half assed job.