My 2nd Gen Rock Slider Build

In the past year I have invested in some equipment to start fabbing some armor for myself. Plan is to eventually (next year/after school) sell some armor to make some extra cash.

The rock sliders are my first project for the Taco. I have two designs, one with a kickout and one without (chose to do with the kickout). I am also currently designing a front plate bumper and hope to fab that up soon.

The two designs:



Progression of Build:

First Day:


Rails Fully Tack Welded:


Rails Fully Welded and Finished Grinding:


Fully Welded on Struts:


This is where I need help.... I can't decide if I like them better with or without filler/step plates. Im leaning toward 'without' but I want some opinions. Yay or nay on the filler plates? This is them below and I would add some for the kickout as well:


Ill be adding more pics as I progress and again this is my first major fab project (besides a small baseball buggy) so tips and tricks are welcomed! Thanks

 

Nice shit man

 

Thanks man!

 

I want to see them mounted on your truck!!!

 

same but some unfortunate news has halted it for atleast 6 weeks..... i broke my ulna last night.... lol once the cast is on though i may be able to do a little

 

Damn it!! Broke or fractured?

 

Broke but not displaced so should be a quick and strong heal

 

Sub for the coolness

 

UPDATE: Arm is healed enough that I don't need to wear the brace anymore and I am cleared to use it. Pain is gone just need to be careful. Also, today is the first day of spring break so I plan to have plenty of time to finish the sliders and have them welded on.

Last thing I have to do is decide if I want filler plates or not lol! Idk why I am struggling with this but I am. I was playing around with a few different ideas. What do you guys think?

Original filler plate idea with perforated steel underneath painted red for undertone:


Different filler plate layout without the undertone (would be painted black but forgot to change color):



Third idea would be to use the second layout but either put a solid sheet or perforated sheet underneath painted red for an undertone. This would leave an indention at the circles for better shoe grip.


Last option would be just to go without filler plates and would be much easier lol

Will keep updating through the week

 

I like the dimple died look myself. The sloted looks cool but also looks really slippery. Glad I'm not the only one using solid works to come up with truck part ideas.

 

I think I'm going to go with either the dimple layout or just no filler plate. I am actually using AutoDesk Inventor Inventor has a free download for students unlike Solid Works but if I had the money I would purchase Solid Works in a heartbeat!

 

UPDATE:
Summer is here and I have some time. Finally decided to make individual filler plates for each section. I am not going to put filler plates on the sickouts though because it will be some extra work and I like the look of them open. Tomorrow I am going to cut the slots for the other filler plates and then the last step will be fabbing the mounting plates! Almost done...

What do y'all think?

 

Finally done! just finished painting them! (even though I don't have a pic). Will be on the truck either tomorrow or Monday so stay tuned! It has been a long project due to balancing school, baseball, and this. Can't wait to see what they look like on the truck!




What do y'all think for my first real tacoma project?

 

DONE!!!!! What do y'all think? Comments or tips?

 

Finally did the "hi-lift test" on the sliders and they held up great! I know this isn't a very good idea of what they can handle

 

On this pic if you stuck a tape against the door, how far do your sliders project out? Also how much clearance did you allow below the bottom edge of the open door?

 

looks great man.

 

Not sure. I will check tomorrow and get you some numbers!

 

Thank you sir!