Rock Sliders

From a durability perspective, they are the same. From a strength perspective, they are the same.

Personal opinion, I would get bolt ons because they can be removed for maintenance . 4x Innovations did a pretty good video showing weld on sliders damaging the frame.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQPhzA44ms

 

i just make sure I'm bolted with grade 8 hardware, and I'm more better with bolt on. because my truck is continually changing and will continue to. flexibility w/o big compromise is important over here.

 

Durable in what sense? I think with weld-ons there are less design variables that affect some "durability" specs. Bolt-on designs tend to vary more and vary in the most critical ways. If you are comparing apples-to-apples (tubing is all the same size, cross section, gusseted the same, etc) and the only difference is the mounting style, then you still will have trouble answering the question. Because this is where bolt-on design vary the most from vendor to vendor. How it's attached to the frame is vitally critic and everyone has a different opinion about how to do and what is really "necessary". A great bolt-on design is better than a mediocre set of weld-on sliders. If you are comparing the best of each, you're likely splitting hairs on "durability" (whatever that means to you) so you'll have to trade of the pros/cons of each style.

 

Bolt on sliders leaves somewhere for corrosion to start as there is a crevice for salts and stuff to hide. Personally, I think the weld on ones are probably a little stronger too, but either will do the job. Bolt on is definitely more DIY friendly.

For what it's worth, I have the Mobtown bolt ons. They work just fine, comes with good hardware.

 

I picked up some Cali Raised Led bolt on sliders a few weeks about and installed them yesterday morning. They are very stout and I can't wait to test them out. The install was super easy, I was able to complete it with my left leg in a boot healing from being broken, so that should tell you something. I decided against weld on so I could easily remove them if need be. I also got the uncoated ones and used etching primer and matte black paint so I can easily touch them up.
One thing to note, if you want them to protect from door dings get the 0 degree sliders, they stick out past the door, the 25 does not.

 

Definitely great info passed on in here and those Cali Raised Bolt ons look very nice and there service is awesome so great choice I’m looking at mobtown now again great info everyone.

 

I rested for 4 weeks, and the install wasn't bad, just laid on my side and lifted the slider with 1 arm and screwed in the stock 14mm bolt with the other. Easy peasy from there on out.

 

Their service is awesome. I have been talking with them to get some 0 degree ones for my wife's GX. Can't wait to get those on there for her.

 

The bolt ons are very convenient and nice and from what i here are durable but I also understand the positives of the weld ons due to them being solid to the frame if that makes sense. Hahaha I see you had to get that strength up to hold those suckers up GreyBaldTaco those things are heavy

 

I am amazed with the video above showing the weld on slider welded mounting plates bent the frame.
I would like to see the same test with bolt on sliders, and to see what the frame damage might be.

 

Let me preface this by saying I'm not any sort of engineer. But I'd think the weld on sliders would be more susceptible to damaging the frame because their points of contact on the frame are much smaller compared to the bolt on sliders.

 

I think the question is too broad. You can't say one is better than the other because the effects are highly dependent on how each one is designed, and being welded or bolted is just one small aspect of that design.

 

The frame damage on that frame is all from the design of the weld on plates. The plates in the video only span about 3/4" of the frame side, the support is only the wall and they are very thin. With a slightly taller plate spanning up to the top edge of the frame rail would not have that same outcome crushing the frame.

 

Me personally I wouldn't weld on rock sliders. It can cause frame damage and slips with they are weld on. Bolt on is the way to go. RCI, CBI are great company's to go with.

 

Again very good points made here

 

I like reading your posts on these types of subjects. Constantly demonstrating a solid understanding of the issues. Good stuff Jerry.

 

And very good points Jlee on the welds. There’s tons of local fabricators within SoCal always different welding techniques.

 

I think he was referring to the design, not the welding technique. The plate could have been designed differently to avoid damaging the frame. This was kind of my point about good design is more important than whether they are bolt-on or weld-on.

 

The frame sidewall thickness is relatively thin. It doesn't take a whole lot to either cave it in, or pull it out, if you are resting (or slamming, for that matter) the whole weight of one side of the vehicle on it. For either bolt on or welded sliders, it's important to try to spread out the load as much as possible at the lateral slider supports. The best way to see where all the pressure is being applied, and where your weak points are at, is to jack up one side of the vehicle completely off the ground and note what is deflecting where. It is much easier to correct for weak points with bolt-ons, by use larger washers/backing plates, putting more bolts into the bottom of the frame, etc., than it is for a welded on set of sliders.

The only downside to a properly designed bolt-on set of sliders is the risk of corrosion, which can be mitigated largely by hitting the frame with heavy coating of fluid film or other good quality corrosion inhibitor before bolting on the sliders.

 

Thanks for pointing that out jowybyo I see what you mean now. And great points pinem56