Building sliders

So here's the deal, I want some sliders and I have the know how and all the tools available to me. I'm gonna attemt to build my own. I really like the looks and style of the rocky road rock sliders so that's gonna be my model (I'll attach a pic) but I'm curious what the best way to mount them is gonna be. What do you guys think? Bolt on or weld on?

 

this is a better pic...

 

x2

 

This is a question that I am struggling with also.

I've read that welding on is better because it stronger but welding on the frame has the potential to weaken the area around the weld if not done properly.

Not being a welder myself means relying on the skill level of the guy at the shop to do it right. It is also hard to undo once done.

 

That's my issue exactly. If I weld em on and want to take them off ever, I'm gonna have to be VERY precise with the scarfing tip lol. If I bolt I'm drilling into the frame is that better or worse? I probably will be the last owner this truck sees being as she has 210k on her now. Blah, i don't know.

 

Yep weld on, i just made some also

 

if your plan on using the sliders as sliders then weld. if they are for looks then bolt on

 

I you weld a thick plate to the frame and bolt to the thick plate rather than through the flimsy frame, and you use 4 or more grade 8 bolts it will be even stronger than a straight weld. this allow you to unboly and make changes to the sliders as well as remove them when you sell it..Just my 2 cents

 

I know everyone on here thinks that weld on is better but i would never weld to the frame of any truck. To be honest bolt on IS stronger. I have been a welder for about 8 years. 3 or 4 grade 8 bolts are stonger then a weld wround a peice of pipe. It is easyer to weld the plates on the pipe on a bench or on the floor then to try and weld them directly to the frame. welding over head you will not fet the penitration you need for them to hold the weight of the truck. This is just my opion. Im not going to get in another pissing match about it.

 

Im planning on getting bolt ons, one of these days. Bc I like the fact I can take them off easily if I want to.

 

rwcfrank's idea is pretty good, I never thought about that option. If I was gonna weld em on I would build them essentially the same as a set of bolt ons and weld on the inside, outside and bottom of the frame instead of just a round spot. I'm working on a CAD drwing of them right now... I'll post screen shots when I'm finished.

 

If you do bolt on, remember the frame is boxed in that area so make "U" brackets to go around the frame, then bolt through those. Im sure you already knew this but just making sure...

 

the frame is tempered and if you weld it you will remove the temper out of the frame so it will be better to bolt them on

 

I made my own and welded them on. They are strong as hell. I've landed on them several times and they don't even budge. When I jacked up the whole side of the truck by the slider with a hi-lift, I could not even measure any flex with a ruler.

Regarding the heat weakening the frame issue. How many stories have you heard of people who broke the frame because they welded on it? Yeah, me neither. Just to reinforce the point, drilling a butt load of bolt holes isn't making the frame any stronger either.

 

You are going to have to weld the sliders together anyways...right?

Why not just weld them on?

 

Weld on if you actually want to use them.

 

yup weld them on if you plan to use them..... bolts can snap, the tensile strength of a weld is far superior to a bolt.

 

penetration has come up as an issue, if you are welding them on using MIG run it hot, SMAW will have better penetration if thats what your lookin for...