Installed My New Sliders

This past Wednesday, I finally received my Demello rock sliders, curtesy of their group buy earlier this fall. This was just in time to install them for a Saturday run to Santiago Peak, the first real offroad run with this truck.


There were some mix ups on getting my sliders from the Demello guys, but they knew I had this run planned and made sure I got the sliders. Luckily, I live close to their shop. The sliders were fresh from the powder coater and very nicely done. Very nice welds. And, by the way, each slider weighs 42 pounds, give or take.

Adjustable jack stands were very helpful getting the sliders lined up and in place.

Generally, the install was straightforward. But it took me about 8 hours, in large part because drilling the frame was difficult. A cobalt bit really helped (too bad it took me so long to figure that out). Also, the passenger's side was much easier to install as the driver's side has both the fuel tank and the brake lines to navigate around.

Had to make sure I avoided the brake lines. This was something I should have been more careful with. At one point while tightening the bolts, the line slipped between the washer and the frame and I started cranking down on it before noticing. So glad I did not damage the brake line.


I also had to unbolt this bracket so that I could fit my hand a wrench inside the frame and tighten the forward most bolts.


At the rear most bolt near the fuel tank, I elected to run the bolt from the inside to the outside to provide my wrench with enough clearance. This proved very helpful when installing the bottom bolt throught the bottom of the frame.


I ran into one other small snag. The passenger side exhaust hanger was mounted farther outboard than the driver side and the front most rock slider bracket did not fit. A quick cut with grinder removed about 3/8" and everything fit just fine.


Halfway there


And complete!


On the trail the next day

 

Nice sliders. Did it use any preexisting holes? If so, did you drill holes with the sliders bolted in partially? 1/2" bit?

 

Thanks! Each slider used 4 existing holes through the sides of the frame and piggy backed on the crossmember bolt. I had to drill 3 holes on each side using 1/2" bit.

 

looks great

 

yeah the drilling sucked.
I started with 1/8 and worked my way up, Also used a jack to raise the drill so my arm wasn't doing the work
(little tip from the guy at the shop) still took a few hours tho.

 

Great pics and post. Sliders look really good too. I'm looking into getting some bolt-ons right now.

RZ Rob

 

Lookin good! Are those lock nuts you're using?

 

yea, that drilling did suck. i got one hole in, and said screw it. i mounted mine on the
sides only, and got it as tight to the frame as i could with a bottle jack. i then tightened the side bolts. i then took it to a body shop, and for $25 they drilled it through the bottom for me. that was the best $25 i ever spent. it would have taken me forever to drill that frame at the rate i was going, lol.

 

Yeah, they were 1/2" nyloc nuts.

Also, I used a little WD-40 as cutting oil to help keep the bit cool. Really, really helped preserve the bit.

 

looks good, nice pics of the install. I need a set of these before it too late!

 

I did the same. It worked very well until I got to the 1/2 bit. Standard and titanium bits just didn't cut it.

 

very nice

 

Nice sliders! They are the best mod ever for off-roaders. Is this the Santiago Peak you went to?

 

nice slides

 

That's the one! Supposed to be the highest point in Orange County. Went up once before, but it was socked in with clouds. Nice drive, though.

Yes, the sliders really helped me to stop worrying about rocks reaching up and biting me and focus on wheel placement, etc.

 

Thanks for the info on the exhaust hanger. Can you tell me what year you have and what leg had that issue?

 

Sure thing. It's a 2010 and the front, passenger side bracket had to be trimmed. Was not a big deal to trim, though.

 

You are bringing back some very not fun memories. I recall having to drill 4 holes/side. I got all on the passenger side and all but the most forward one on the drivers side before the wd-40 ran out and the drill bit died. 8 hours is way too long. I think I spent 3-4. Congrats on the install.

 

Looks GOOD!!!

 

Very nice!