DIY Bolt-On Frame Plates for Sliders

2nd Gen Tacoma DIY Bolt-On Slider Frame Plate Files

Build your own bolt-on sliders! I built my own bolt-on sliders and have put my files for the frame plate up here for your use. These files are just for the frame plate that bolts to your frame, you have to use your own creativity and skillz to build the rest of the slider. Please read this entire post so you know what the stipulations are and what to do with the files once you download them.

Please, ask all the questions you want. There are a lot of knowledgeable folks here, I'm sure we can all help you out. Thanks!

Stipulations:

1. Be cool. Don't get these files then turn around and start selling them (files or frame plates). You can sell the frame plates as part of your complete sliders...but I will ask that you post a link in your for sale thread back to this thread to give credit to my hard work. Giving a shout out on your website, if you have one, would be cool as well. Also, please do not give these files to some shop without passing on these rules. This is open-source and I would prefer if it stayed that way. I won't, of course, call your mom if you do start selling them, I'll just look disapprovingly in your direction. Also, ask questions...and answer questions. Noob or not, doesn't matter in this thread. Hopefully any jackass people/comments will be ignored. Don't be 'that guy' in here. Thanks.

2. Share. Post up your project and cost findings. I would love it if you either put your build/findings in this thread or put a link to your slider build in this thread. I will try to work with those of you with standard cabs and DCLB to get a file for those as well. If you use my CAD and modify to fit either a SC or DCLB, please offer it up here. Keep it active and alive. The whole reason I've spent HOURS messing with this is to get our learn on! And bump up the creativity!

3. Feedback. If you need to tweak the frame plate (hole doesn't line up well, etc) when you get it back from cutting/bending, let me know so I can see about tweaking the CAD file for everyone else! Post it up in here and send me a PM.

That's pretty much it. Simple.

ATTACHED FILES -

AC and DCSB:

AC_DCSB_FRAME PLATE CAD - Solidworks 2012 - Other formats available upon request.
AC_DCSB_Cut Template - .dwg file format - This file type should work for any laser or waterjet cutter. I assume it would work for a CNC plasma as well but let me know if you have different needs.
AC_DCSB_General Dimensions - .pdf file format - This document gives all the information that a bender should need to get the project done. It's what I submitted when I had mine done and there were no questions and the end product was spot on.
AC_DCSB_Cut Template_Print File - .pdf file format - This is a print file that you can take to FedEx/Kinko's, Office Depot, etc to print paper versions of the frame plates. You can use these to check approximate fitment on your truck or to glue to metal and start cutting! Print actual size...do NOT scale the print!

DCLB:
Thanks to narshkey for the hard work on these DCLB files!

DCLB_Frame Plate CAD_SW2015 - Solidworks 2015 - Other formats available upon request.
DCLB_Cut Template - DWG File - This file type should work for any laser or waterjet cutter. I assume it would work for a CNC plasma as well but let me know if you have different needs.
DCLB_General Dimensions - .pdf file format - This document gives all the information that a bender should need to get the project done. It's what I submitted when I had mine done and there were no questions and the end product was spot on.
DCLB_Cut Template_Print File - .pdf file format - This is a print file that you can take to FedEx/Kinko's, Office Depot, etc to print paper versions of the frame plates. You can use these to check approximate fitment on your truck or to glue to metal and start cutting! Print actual size...do NOT scale the print!

What to do with the files once you receive them:

When I sent out for quote, I sent the PDF and the DWG. This allows the shop to calculate material, cut time, and # of bends. Plus, if you want to go with the shop, they already have all of your files. You can just give them the green light and they can go.


**DISCLAIMER** You are downloading and using these files at your own risk. No contributors to these files and designs have verified the strength or safety of this design. Due to manufacturing tolerances from Toyota as well as the tolerances found in the cutting/bending process, We cannot guarantee that any frame plate made directly from this file will fit your particular vehicle.

 

I'm building sliders for my 2013 AC tacoma. I want mine to be bolt on so I will have to design/build my own frame plates. I'm sure there are many of you out there who would love to build your own sliders but have no interest in welding them to the frame, or designing your own bolt-on frame plates. So, in the interest of community, I plan on offering the necessary files to have a set made to anyone who asks. FOR FREE!! I will not offer the files up until I have my sliders completed and am happy with the fit on my truck. Keep an eye on this thread for progress on the entire slider project.

Here's a ROUGH mockup of where I'm headed







The tubing portion will not stick out this far. It's gross. I do like the overall shape though. The design may change quite a bit by the time I actually get there, of course. We'll see. I want to get a nice tight fit to the body...leaving approximately 3/4" clearance all around for frame/body flex.
Here is the foam-core frame plate mockup. I will build this in CAD (Solidworks) and then make a flat template (.dwg file) for waterjet/laser/plasma cutting. I'm familiar with waterjet and like the finish of the cut but I will shop around to see what I can find for prices. Once the plate is cut, I'll have it bent to spec and then I'll be ready for a test fit.





After the test fit, I'll build all of the backing plates with attached nuts. I've got some ideas for making life easier, and hopefully stronger, in this regard.

I'll keep posting updates as they happen. This will likely be a month-long process so be patient.

 

Looking really nice, keep us posted, looking forward to end results.

 

Your make it or break it point will come with your final price point. The look is great through!

 

I'm not looking to sell anything. I'm just hoping to build myself some sliders that I like and give others the opportunity to do the same.

I dig the look. I have the sliders in CAD...with the reduced kickout and it looks so much better. I need to take some more measurements and make sure I have it all dialed in for a decent fit on the truck. I'll post up screen grabs of the CAD and post them up later today.

 

looks great, thanks for your hard work.

 

Subscribed! I want to weld up my own sliders this winter but I want mine bolt on as well. I've contacted a few companies about buying their bolt on plates to use on my sliders but no one wants to sell them alone. I look forward to seeing how yours turn out.

 

It's not rocket science to make these plates, but it is a little time consuming. Of course, I only have about 5 hours into it so far...and I have them done in CAD at this point. The cost is going to come when I get them cut. CNC Waterjet (laser and plasma) charge by inch of cut and cut tolerance. There are a LOT of inches of cut on these. You could totally cut these out by hand but I'm not interested in that kind of 'fun'.

I also understand a company not wanting to sell just the frame plates. Small shops have to turn a profit to stay in existence (and provide awesome product and services to all of us!) and my guess at this point is that there isn't much profit to be made on the frame plates (at prices people would actually want to pay). They probably make most of their profit on the rest of the slider. The time and material equation is probably a lot more positive on that end. Total guess, of course.

 

Progress update: I've got the main rail and frame bracket in CAD. I need to take some additional measurements and make some adjustments to the main rail but I'm getting closer! I'll print out a full size paper template from CAD and make sure that all the clearance and mounting holes line up to the frame then get them off to be cut/bent.

 

The frame plate files are out for quote! Hopefully I'll get some numbers very soon. I imagine that I will get the first set in and have to make some adjustments (alter mounting holes a bit). I may get lucky and they'll fit the first time but I'm not expecting that.

I'll be completely transparent about this process including what I paid to get things done. I think it will be very interesting to see how this whole process moves and changes as people take this on as their own.

I'm tweaking my actual rock rail design and taking additional measurements. I'm hoping to have that all pretty solidified next week. I'll post up new screen shots when I have them.

 

Still waiting on two other quotes (for reference) but I went ahead and gave the green light to the first quote. Partly because the price seemed fair to me and partly because he can get the frame plates done (laser cut and bend) by the end of day Wednesday. This timing was important because I will be flying solo for the weekend after Thanksgiving which means it's a perfect time to goof off in the garage!

Now to the info you're actually interested in:

3/16" steel
Laser Cut
Bend

$64.00 for each frame plate. $128 total! Totally fair in my book.

I'll post up the other quotes when they come back just so you can see the range. I may get a cheaper quote...and that's fine. This is all about learning.

 

Picked up the frame plates today! They look really good. They are also quite heavy. Apparently, 3/16" steel weighs a LOT. Who knew? I may consider taking some material out once I get the legs welded on. We'll see...

So, these were $128...total! That includes the steel, laser cutting, and bending. I'm sure I'll be using this company again for the laser cutting I'll need done for the outer part of my sliders. Not to mention the front and rear bumpers that have been floating around in my head.






Then I did the 'ol 'Hold 'em up there and admire' test fit. Looks really promising. The bolt on the bottom of the frame where the rear crossmember is was REALLY tight and I didn't feel like getting my breaker bar from the garage (across the damn apt complex) so I left it. Regardless, I could get a pretty decent look at the fit and I'm optimistic.







I'm going to work on these this weekend. The idea is to get all of the backing plates made so that I can actually bolt these solidly in place. Then, time allowing, I'll see about welding the slider legs on and maybe the main 2"x3" tube under the door. I want to make sure the frame plate system (frame plates and backing plates) is dialed so that I can release the files for those of you that want to try your hand at making your own sliders!

 

sub'd Looks great

 

Thanks!

There are several bolt on slider options out there. (They all recommend drilling...and I may too after some testing) I just wanted to make my own...and I have read several posts by folks that would also like to build their own but were held back by the idea if making the frame plates. I just want to empower those folks to go make something!

I hope that people take my files and make plates for dclb and standard cab trucks. That would be awesome! There has to be some similarities, right?

 

yep, looking to keep most of my mods either bolt on or "hidden" so that way if any recalls come up and can bring in the truck and the techs wont be able to blame me for whatever it is

 

sub'd for results

 

No photo updates, but I did work on these this weekend. I'm going to tweak the CAD file a bit to bring a lot of the holes/slots down a bit on the bracket. I'll tweak my brackets with a file for now...doesn't need much...and only in a few areas. I also realized a bit of a blunder that will be fixed in the CAD file. I made all of the holes in the bracket to fit a 1/2" bolt. Duh...this is a METRIC truck! It's just damn tacky to mix inch and metric. So, 14mm was too big for the existing holes so 12mm is it on mine...and I think I'll shrink all the holes for a 12mm in the CAD file as well. It's still a damn big bolt! I cut 8 backing plates and have several more to do. That job sucked bad. Metal working (if I can even call it that) with a hacksaw and file takes its toll on your hands and self esteem. I also spent a lot of time laying under the truck going 'Hmmm, I wonder where that goes' or 'What does that thing do'. Haha...it was educational...or something.

The only real issue with fitting sliders to these trucks are the brake lines that run down the inside of the drivers side frame rail. I really wanted to figure out a way to space them off the rail to make room for the backing plates/nuts/and bolts without bending them but it looks like they'll need a bit of a tweak in a place or two. Spacing them off the frame rail puts a pretty good bind on them and brings them close to other parts of the truck. So, a few tweaks in one area...a little bit of spacing away from the frame in other areas and I think I can find a happy medium.

Also, I should have my full set of Relentless skids this week! I'm going to integrate the transfer case skid plate mounting brackets into my rock rail brackets so it will be nice to have everything at the same time and make a nice clean one-time shot at that.

 

Finally got a response from another vendor that I asked for a quote on these frame plates. $280. They gave me a discount because of where I work (my company does business with them). That's a bit more than the $128 I paid.

 

That's a surprisingly reasonable price for that much cutting (plus bending including material cost)!