Slider install time? Bolt on vs weld?

I was browsing the mobtown bolt on thread and saw how much time it took for the average install. 4+ hours! It seems like you have to relocate a bunch of stuff bolted on the frame. Are the weld ons the same way? If not, the welds seem to be the way to go.

 

You do have to temporarily relocate some stuff to weld on sliders. It is also a whole day activity by the time you do the grinding and welding

 

Really? It doesn't seem like it would take more than a couple minutes to get to bare steel and no more than an hour a side for welding. It's been a long time since I've done any though, so I may be way under estimating.

 

I’d say go with the bolt on. Now a days most are just as strong as the Weldon’s. I like the ability to unbolt to repair or resale. Mobtown and relentless have great designs. There are many others out there too.

 

I’ll bet weld on takes as much or more by the time you include the overhead time.... traveling somewhere to have it done, working out where they go, negotiating rate, etc. coming back for said appointment. Waiting. Driving home.

 

That's an excellent point. Most of us have a tendency to undervalue our time.

 

I think it took me and @Tatts521 an hour to do mine.

 

IF you have a welder or a friend with one, they can be welded in less than 30 minutes. No worries about loose hardware, and weld on are definitely stronger and have a better distribution of weight during an impact.

If you can manage it I think weld on is better than bolt on any day.

 

I have the BAMF sliders. Unmatched coating and build quality. Tough as nails and direct bolt on with grade 8 hardware. Zero issues and they have been used for a year now. Installed myself using jack stands in about an hour. These sliders hold a hi-jack nicely.

 

Anybody use shrokworks? They are semi local...

 

Bolted mine on by myself. Took 4 + hours. Mine aren't falling off the truck any time soon.

 

Just reinstalled Mobtown sliders yesterday after sandblasting and repainting them. For the most part I did it by my self except using my dad to run the jack while I lined them up. Took me a little under four hours with stopping to eat lunch when I moved from the drivers side to the passenger side. Total time under the truck was around 3 hours. That being said, when I originally installed them by my self it was probably around 6 hours. This time I didn't have to relocate anything and I knew what I was doing (or at least that's what I told my self). Installing them for the first time and with someone to help under the truck, I would guess around 4 to 5 hours.

 

I think there’s a direct correlation to age there.

The older I get, the more valuable my time is. I often choose to ‘waste’ some, but it’s my choice. I hate having it wasted for me though.

 

It goes by faster the older you get. I'm with you. Time is precious.

 

I've no idea why it would take 4 hours.

Both of my http://cruisinoffroad.com/ bolt-on sliders were installed in about an hour, hour and a half.

 

TBH I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night. But bolt ons don't take long at all. Weld ons take a bit of time

 

One thing to consider is that the frames are layered sheet metal. When you weld something to the outer layer, you are burning off the paint in between with no way of properly getting paint back in there.
Something to think about if you live in a wet or salty area.

 

I value mine. I can spend it, but I’ll never earn it back. I’ve never agreed with “time equals money”. So when it comes to welding on a truck I own, or even someone else’s, I’ll do it. Because I enjoy it, and it’s a magnificent way to spend time- creating and building something durable.

 

30 minutes of arc time. That in no way includes prep.

 

Define prep. If you are only installing then there's little prep. Flap disc on a grinder will clear the frame of paint in minutes. Then maybe 15 minutes at most to burn in each side. A quick spray with paint once the metal cools and you're done.