DIY Bolt-On Frame Plates for Sliders

Finished mine over the weekend. I jacked the truck up with them and they work but they definitely flex to the point that they almost touch the seam at the bottom of the cab. I think if i make another set I'll gusset the square tube that goes back to the frame plates and I would do the angle up differently. I would make it so the long square tube is angled up and the round DOM tube would just tie straight into it instead of trying to angle it up there. It's really hard to get the angles right on the little tube pieces that go from the outer tube to the long square tube under the door. Doing that would cut my fab time way down I think. You don't have to angle them up but it gives you more clearance out there and I think it looks better. I used 1/2" hardware to attach it to the frame with fender washers and regular washers. Maybe if I made larger "washers" out of thick steel like the other guys did it would be stiffer too, but that's time consuming. All in all I'm happy with them and for what I have in them I'm glad I made them myself. And if anything is really an issue I'll just pull them off and add whatever support is needed.

 

They look good mate, nice work!

 

Those look great! Thanks for sharing. Gussets at the frame plate and heavy backer plates would definitely help the flex. The good part is you can go back and add the heavy backer plates anytime. I have seen very thick large diameter washers (round and square) at my local good hardware store. Nothing to build...just buy.

 

They look great. Just because you don't have the "right" doesn't mean you can't do nice quality work. Very impressive!

 

After a week of trying to get quotes to have these plates cut I have finally found a place. The first place I contacted wanted $650 to cut and bend. The second place wanted $740. But the third and quoted me $205. Anyone else get any ridiculous quotes?

 

You got the "go away" quote. A lot of places will do that for small jobs/hobbiest.

 

Holy shit, yeah, those are definitely "we don't want your business" quotes. Pretty ridiculous seeing as how you're bringing existing cad files with all the dimensions.

I think we quoted one set at $160 each, but due to nesting if 8 people (full sheet worth, 8 sets) bought at once each set would only be like $70-80 complete. But fuck if you can setup a local group buy for just the plates, lol.

Every place quotes differently though, some by weight, us by cut inches. That factor alone can change pricing dramatically, good job on shopping around.

 

I got a quote like that from metal supermarket or whatever that shitty chain place is called. I think they quoted me $690. That place is a total ripoff on almost everything. I just responded with "LOL Nope." I used a smaller local place and the guy was happy to do it and was stoked on helping me with cool truck parts.

 

I have mine out for a quote now. We've had some file issues but think we finally have that fixed and converted so their burn table can read it.

 

you are lucky,
no one would get back to me at all! I had to keep hunting around. Finally I did manage to get them cut, and for a reasonable price ( Can't remember how much, but it could not have been that bad if I've forgotten )

 

that's the place I used, and I got mine for waaaay less. ( I just looked back at the Credit Card Statements Cost for cut / bend = $238 CDN )
I found my local Metal Supermarket was really good to deal with, I've had several things cut since. That's a shame your experience was the polar opposite.

 

Yeah I don't know what their deal is. I don't understand how they can stay in business giving quotes like they give me unless people are just too stupid to call somewhere else. It's a shame because they're right near my house and I could go pick it up after work instead of having to take a long lunch break to go do it. The only thing I've bought from them is thin wall 3/4" square tube to use for the cross members on my roof rack. Their prices on DOM tube and larger square tube were hilarious they were so high.

 

So I learned that the method of cutting makes a huge difference. The places that charge more use a water jet or something similar. A water jet takes way more table time then say a plasma cutter. So that’s the biggest thing. I was happy with the quote of $205 they made a couple modifications to the holes closest to the edge. They were worried about blowing them away so I told them to cut wide and I’ll grind around them. Should be done this week I’ll keep you guys posted

 

Yes, please don't ask for waterjet! Laser or plasma for the best prices. You might find a waterjet shop that is super slow and willing to make a deal but typically they are WAY more expensive.

 

That surprises me actually, that a company using a water jet on 3/16" (7ga) steel would be concerned with the cad file and blowing the holes/exterior out. Usually waterjets have less blow outs due to not putting out the heat like lasers and plasmas. Guess it depends on the waterjet.

We have three lasers here and can get fairly close to edges but urgh, can be nerve wracking at times. I didn't really see any issue with the cad file but hey, each machine shop is different. Keep us up to date on how it comes out!

 

I’m having mine plasma/laser cut. There’s tends to curf a little to the right so he was just a little worried. Took him a second to adjust the file to cut wide around the two holes

 

Laser cuts fine but plasma may have a different keef than laser.

 

Plasmas tend to have a good side and bad side to the cut, hence a specific cut direction and most of the times a larger kerf width. Lasers are a bit more forgiving in that sense, and shouldn't be noticeable on material this thin regardless.

Although plasmas are getting more advanced nowadays, I've been impressed with what I've seen. Given the choice though I'd take a CO2 or fiber laser hands down any day.

 

I finally got the chance to test fit mine and they are like a mile off. I had the dlcb plates made. The measure out perfect with outside diameters but the holes couldn’t be farther apart and the parts are way to long. Did I miss something?

 

Never mind I know where I messed up. I had the long bed plates made not the short bed. Stupid me. Hope I can modify them so they fit