Aluminum Sliders?

This.

 

You're right. The original posting date is in a new spot on the new forum layout and my eye isn't used to looking for it yet.

 

You are correct, aluminum bumpers are made of thicker material, usually 1/4" plate vs 3/16" for steel but this does not make them as strong as a steel bumper. You can still use them as recovery points and winch with them but they will not take the same abuse a steel bumper will. Keep in mind when I say take the same abuse though I'm talking about things like driving straight into boulders and walls, the aluminum bumpers are still durable but steel is even stronger despite the thicker plate on aluminum.

HDPE Sliders? Got any pics?

EDIT: Just realized HDPE was probably a joke... you got me

 

HDPE Skids

 

HDPE

Why not Teflon

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trail-toys-uhmw-gas-tank-skid.365312/

 

UHMW-PE is actually what most use. Especially under UTVs. Occasionally under rock buggies too. For trucks, since it flexes too much under hard point loads, its used with a structural tube structure or as sheeting under a traditional skids or sliders. I think the exception is gas tank skids where UHMW is fairly common.

 

I know, I've seen quite a few UTV's with them. I've looked into that HDPE skid for gas tanks before too and will probably go that direction at some point. I was laughing because we are talking about sliders, which have to be solid to protect the body from impact damage. Not a good use for HDPE.

I actually know a company that carries sheets of HDPE and Teflon for use in machinery locally. I'm going to get the cost of both materials at several thicknesses and go for one of either of the two for my gas tank skid/

 

yeah I had a total brain fart there hahaha

 

My thinking for light duty aluminum sliders is to just mount them to the body.

My TJ had body mounted sliders and those things were bomber. Hanging the weight of my Heep off of them always made me nervous but my body mounts never ripped out and the sliders protected the tub.

WRT my Tacoma, I think one could easily pick up the factory nerf bar holes and then maybe also pick up the 9 holes that currently have rubber plugs in them. Ideally a nutsert could be put in there but even just using them as bumpers when the sliders see a vertical load would probably work good enough for light duty.

ETA: Mcmaster has quite a few to choose from but here is one nutsert that looks pretty good. The holes in the rocker are aprox 14.75mm and I believe the sheetmetal is about the right range.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#94020a399/=x2wy5c

ETA2: These look even better, I'm gonna add some to my order today and see of they work http://www.mcmaster.com/#93495a431/=x2x1cd

 

I'm not talking about milling out skid plates, plates by there very nature should be made of plate and bent.

The basic concept I have in my head is to make sliders out of barstock aluminum and machine the appropriate contour/profile lengthwise. An extrusion would probably be a better solution but that's outside of my fabrication abilities (machining is not).

 

Not a joke. 1/2" hdpe with a steel frame under my Ford

 

So I'm wrong that aluminum and steel together form a battery because high carbon steel is more corrosion resistant than lower carbon steel? I'd suggest reading before replying in future..

Also, why would you bother using a high carbon bolt when you plan on sleeving it anyway? It's not in contact with anything but the sleeve, so it will outlast the life of the truck 2 or 3 times over.

 

Yeah I realized I misread your first post, you said skids and I was already thinking sliders. HDPE skids are badass, I've seen a few pics of guys builds with them, I've been eyeing up an HDPE gas take skid lately for my truck.

 

Y

That would be wrong. Not because of galvanic potentials, but because you still need an electrolyte to form a battery.

PS: I'm just bugging you, we all know that even air can act as an electrolyte in some cases.

 

Ok I'll rephrase. On this planet, anywhere the humidity is above 0% and you are not in a vacuum, aluminum and steel form a battery.




Better?

 

No, your not wrong because "aluminum and steel together form a battery." They do. What I am trying to tell you is aluminum and stainless steel together make a more powerful "battery" to use your terminology. Don't put them in contact with each other in the presence of water and road salt. Stop telling people to do it. Because science. Look at the chart I posted for gawds sake. It isn't rocket surgery.

 

Like almost everyone with aluminum skids and bumpers? Its a slow process for for sure but the deterioration is happening none the less.

 

They would be more durable and tuck up tighter to the body than the BS factory steps or any of the others I am familiar with.

WRT other real sliders, they would be lighter, tuck up tighter, and I am a machinist by trade so I have the tools readily available. FWIW, I currently have BAMF sliders and while I have nothing against them, they are not really what I want. They add a lot of weight and hang lower than I care for. While this is a bit nit picky, I hate tube work hanging off all over the place, I prefer armor that blends with the body lines of the vehicle.

 

Just get Avid bolt ons if you just want a tucked slider look without slider protection