Bronco638
Nobody Home
- Joined
- November 17, 2003
- Messages
- 1,590
- Reaction score
- 12
- City, State
- Elk Grove, IL
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '17 Expedition XLT
In my never ending search for things I can adapt to my truck, I came across another 'Yota site that appears to make a range of excellent, useful products (Slee Off Road). I was particularly intrigued by the sliders and rear tire carriers they make. While checking out the images of the sliders (and reviewing the associated slider hardware kit), I noticed that these sliders are attached by u-bolts! My initial reaction was "no way will that hold a slider and take a hit". So, I bounced the idea off my (professional engineer, 'Yota owning, off-road enthusiast) brother-in-law who pretty much told me it would work (he'd prefer two u-bolts per outrigger. ). We're all quite aware of the hazards that could befall someone attempting to drill thru (or weld to) the Ex frame. There's a lot of lines/hoses/harnesses that run along the frame and I'm not particularly ready to experiment with a holed line or melted harness (or worse). Well, if you can simply use 7/16" specially shaped u-bolts to hold the slider to the frame, that makes things much easier, with respect to installation. I sent Christo Slee, the owner, an email asking if any of his sliders might be adaptable to the Explorer. He didn't think so but did mention that a 1991-97 Series 80 (FJ80) Land Cruiser has a similar frame arrangement (narrow at the front and wider at the rear). The sliders for the Series 80 are quite pricey ($745) but the idea of using u-bolts to attach the sliders might convince some of us (me, particularly) to forge ahead. I'm sure there are quite a few places that make u-bolts. All we need are some frame dimensions and a willing manufacturer.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?