Mounting sliders

Again, don't know where to post this so I just default to my 1st gen brothers and sisters

*insert awkward white man knuckle bump handshake here*

So I want sliders for the obvious reason: to protect my truck, namely the rocker panels, when 4-wheeling.

However my truck is a daily driver as well, so I don't want the sliders to be an imposition getting in and out of the truck. I've heard a few instances where the sliders are always rubbing up against your pants when you're getting out of the truck (obviously, if they are mounted in such a way for maximum off road protection).

My question is: Can I mount the sliders in such a way that they are damn near flush (in terms of "sticking out from the frame") with the rocker panel plane? Obviously I'd have it stick out a little bit (an inch or so) but would mounting them in such an position be utterly useless for off road protection?

 

It won't be totally useless to mount them that way, but definitely won't provide the kind of protection you'll probably want. Personally I think you're wasting your money and effort to not get the most protection you can out of them. You'll kick yourself the first time you dent your rocker/door with a rock from the side that your slider don't protect you from because they were mounted too far under the truck.

 

I had mine mounted slightly at an angle to give better clearance, but they don't stick out far enough to be a concern. I wouldn't worry about getting in and out of the truck. You'll get used to it. Shouldn't wheel without them IMO.

 

^ agreed, it took a little while but you will get used to how to get in and out again and the protection is well worth it IMO

 

You'll get used to it.

 

i was just thinking how funny it would be to watch people who forget they are there get in and out with them in the way and possibly trip.

quick question about the sliders...for the bolt on ones, are they fabbed to bolt straight into the holes in the frame, or is some drilling or cutting required? Probably a dumb question but i couldnt really find a definitive answer. Im thinking sliders are going to be the first mod i do after lights. A plate bumper is stupidly expensive and i think i can hold off on the serious rock crawling and just watch myself so i dont ram the front into anything.

 

Being a first gen if you bolt them on you have to drill holes which will be a paint being as the frame is "boxed"...id recomend welding them on honestly...its not that hard to touch them up when they are on.

 

I have a set of Beefed narrow sliders. They are not bad at all. The kick out sticks out in the back but I don't ride in the back so it's not my problem

 

its not touching them up, i just dont like modifying/welding on the frame in case i have to sell it. People dont quite like when you start messing with the frame. I mean i intend to keep the truck for the next 4 years/40k miles, but if something unforeseen comes up im not sure how easy it will be to sell with sliders welded all down the frame. Just my thoughts.

 

If they needed to come off all you would have to do is cut the legs off the sliders and leave the brackets welded to the frame, if anything it adds more strength rather than drilling a shit ton of holes in it...but i think there is a new bolt on design that doesnt require drilling any holes but i dont see it being strong enough to hold up to say lifting it with a Hi-Lift but for trail armor it would be fine.

 

link to that fabricator?
if the bolts are big enough to stay solid with the vehicle on a rock i dont see why it wouldnt lift up with a hi-lift.

 

Who makes them im not sure, i wanna say beffed but thats not 100%...search arond and im sure you will find them somewhere! Sorry i couldnt help further, maybe someone else will know what im talking about

 

haha faceplant from 2 feet up ill ask around later and try to find some bolt ons. thanks guys!

 

I have sliders and to help with the dirt I did this...
http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/452163-slider-sling-guard-install.html
They've been on since last winter and work very well.
Good luck!

 

CBI makes a great bolt on kit. The kit claims to require drilling and attaching a couple self tappers just to keep the legs from moving down the frame. However i never installed the self tappers (AKA no drilling) and i have dragged them hard enough to puts dents in the tubing and the frame mounts havent even budged.

 

Can someone recommend mounting angles and distances based on what I wrote?

I know it's all preference and it's up to me when I have them by my truck but just some general guidelines would be nice.

1. I don't wheel too aggressively but would like the protection seeing how I beat the snot out of my passenger side rocker panel this summer for the first time in 12 years of wheeling.

2. It's a daily driver so I don't want the sliders to stick too far out for daily driving function and looks.

Thanks.

 

oh sweet, ill look at thoes. pics of underside where its mounted?

 

There's no real science right/wrong behind it. There's also too many variables with so many styles out there that are for sale. Are you welding these on yourself? If so, the best way is just mock it up to see what looks best to you.
If you're looking for nothing fancy, I highly suggest you stop by Scotty's shop (Addicted Offroad) in Greeley and pick up some Trail-Gear sliders or get some of his.

 

My buddy is a welder and I was hoping he would do it.

But I didn't know that Addicted Offroad was in Greeley.

That might be the way to go.

Thanks man.

Hope all is well with you and yours

 

Weld on. Don't bolt. Cut them off with a sawzall when you want them gone. Feather down the brackets with a wire wheel or grinder. Throw two coats of 1-step, 30 minutes apart for each coat. Two coats of 240 marine epoxy primer and call it good with black rustoleum. Done and done.