Drilling Frame for Bolt On Sliders

Any long term issues with drilling in frames for the Bolt On Sliders?

Just ordered from Metal Tech DCSB and debating if I should keep do it without the reinforcement bolts or not.

 

IF you want to get some "piece of mind" sure, but I did not drill mine, they hold up to abuse well.

 

Zero issues drilling my frame for sliders other than the fact it's a huge pain in the ass to do laying on your back. My frame has been drilled for the better part of a decade now. Just be sure to paint the holes when you're done. I'm glad I did though. I feel much better having bolts on the bottom of the frame in shear in addition to the bolts on the side in bending. Makes me feel warm an fuzzy using them as a jack point.

My buddy didn't drill his frame on his GX and I get nervous every time he takes a Hi-Lift to them, he has way more deflection than my sliders.

(disclaimer neither of us have metal tech but I'm sure it's the same general Idea - drill holes in the bottom of the frame)

 

Truck came with AllPro sliders that were not bolted on the bottom.
100% did not trust them being like that. Ordered the hardware kit for them and drilled/installed all the bottom bolts

It is shitwork to do on your back and was something I hope to never have to do again.

But no, no issues with having them drilled. Just make sure to put some paint in/on the holes to block corrosion.

 

I’m installing my MetalTech sliders sometime in the near future when I get a minute. My plan was to drill, then take q-tips dipped in a bit of paint and swab the holes. It’s totally up to personal preference, but I’ll feel better about it if I drop onto a big rock, and that’s why I got them anyway.

 

sounds like a job for those magnetic mount drills....

 

I’d you have access to one absolutely! They’re also pretty damn spendy, so I wouldn’t buy one just for sliders.

Good drill bits makes a world of difference though. I wasted half a day with cheap ones on my first 2 holes and then went and got a good set of step drill bits and knocked out the next 4 in an hour or so.

 

You can rent one for about $70/day. Renting specialty tools is the way to go.

 

Thanks all for the insight. Still waiting for pick up but I think i'll not do the reinforcements for right now but possibly later!

 

Use a jack to put pressure on the drill....also keeps metal shavings out of your eyes

 

Got my MetalTech installed yesterday and I whole heartedly agree that it’s Shit work that I hope to never do again. My back and shoulders feel like I played half a season of pro football in the 60’s without pads on. I only ended up drilling and mounting the front 2 on each side, mostly because my body was literally giving out by that point.

With each side having 3 side grade 8 bolts and two lower grade 8 bolts I’m pretty sure it ain’t going nowhere. Maybe someday when I have time and decide to do those last two I will, but boy oh boy is it uncomfortable.

Also, if you have a long box and get MetalTech sliders you won’t have to take off the control module in the middle. I did and the slider ended up mounting 5-6” away from it, but I do believe DCSB does have to remove it. Just a heads up.

 

For the bolts on the bottom of the frame, use a jack to push up on the drill. It does the work so you don't have to.

 

How’s y’all do the drive side sliders?

One side of the electric box does have a screw secure, but the slider blocks the other side. I’m thinking keeping as is or just not having the bolt on in the middle.

 

I drilled mine 4 years ago and have wheeled Moab and other hsrd trails several times with no problems at all. I did paint the holes before bolting them on.

 

Fuck all that, if going to that extent just weld them on. Cutting them off later would be easier than drilling those holes

 

[QUOTE="
Good drill bits makes a world of difference though. [/QUOTE]


This!!!