MountaineerGreen's Sliders

[MountaineerGreen]

I think you've got what I mean now. I just wonder how much the frame and will flex? Or how much the sliders would flex to allow me to bolt the body and frame together?

 

[CodePoet]

I wouldn't worry about them flexing that much. I wouldn't tie them into the body (on an explorer). Just make some nice beefy plates to welded to the frame with good outriggers to the sliders and you'll be fine.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I'm going to bolt mine to the frame. Just in case i ever have to remove them for some reason, i just need to unbolt them, instead of breaking out the grinder and grinding down the welds.

I will bolt mine to the frame as well. I don't want to weld on my frame with fuel lines and what not behind the frame, especially on the drivers side. That way if I ever get a body lift, I can modify them.

 

[Stic-o]

The frame will flex alot, and I do mean alot!. I know someone that they put a first gen on a lift and used the sliders too lift it. The sliders almost flexup into the doors. and it was all frame flex.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

^^^ Thats what I am worried about, and is why I was thinking of bolting the sliders to the body and frame. The frame would take the biggest part of the forces, then the body brackets would only keep the sliders from touching the body, causing damage.

But I am worried about what happens when I drive over something and the front wheel comes off the ground, the frame flexes in relation of the body. I wonder if the sliders bolted securely to the frame would pull the body in odd ways?

 

[Stic-o]

^^^ Thats what I am worried about, and is why I was thinking of bolting the sliders to the body and frame. The frame would take the biggest part of the forces, then the body brackets would only keep the sliders from touching the body, causing damage.

But I am worried about what happens when I drive over something and the front wheel comes off the ground, the frame flexes in relation of the body. I wonder if the sliders bolted securely to the frame would pull the body in odd ways?

I would leave it just to the frame. That is what I did. Yes the frame will flex, and that's OK, but the last thing you want its the body flexing alot. Ask Rick about that His body flexed so much once he ripped the firewall.

 

[CodePoet]

I would leave it just to the frame. That is what I did. Yes the frame will flex, and that's OK, but the last thing you want its the body flexing alot. Ask Rick about that His body flexed so much once he ripped the firewall.

My vote as well. You'll be fine, if you're that concerned just leave alittle extra space between the sliders and the body. I'd show you a pic of mine but I cut the rockers out of mine, around 4"s of body all in all (least that's what I had to trim from the front fenders...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

That sounds like what I need to do. Thats why I like other peoples input on these things.

What if I made some bump stop style brackets, no connection from the body to the sliders, but just a rubber stob?

 

[Brian1]

Do not bolt them to both the frame and body. Choose 1. My first sliders bolted to both and the holes in the body got ovaled out and part of the rocker got bent up over time. they would also make noise when flexing. My new sliders bolt to the frame only and so far so good.

What if I made some bump stop style brackets, no connection from the body to the sliders, but just a rubber stob?

I have thought about doing that myself, I think it could work without causing damage.

 

[FROADER]

Mine have worked fine and I've slammed on them pretty hard a few times. They are welded to the frame.

You're taking the running boards off and replacing with these sliders right?

 

[JDraper]

Ya gotta put 'em to the frame only. And when you mount 'em, make sure you leave at least 1/2" between the slider and the closest point on the body, because your frame will twist that far if you put the weight of the truck on the slider...been there...done that.

FWIW, I'd suggest a gusset between the extensions from the frame to the slider. I've done quite a few sets of sliders so far, and found it made a significant difference in how much the sliders flexed relative to the body.

When you go to install them, you will find that you probably will have to drop the gas tank to bolt up the driver's side slider. There just isn't enough room to bolt it up without moving the tank.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Well, I am going go with the consensus and not bolt them to the body. I do think I am going to make some stops to keep them from touching the body during flex.

What I can't decide is whether or not I want to go round or square.

The simplicity and strength of square appeals to me, but square lines will go with nothing on my truck. I want them to look good as well as be strong-

I was thinking of a double tube style slider with the outer tube kicked up some, plenty of bracing between the tubes. I do not have a tubing bender, so any angles would have to be cut and welded. I made some crappy drawings in paint- comments or improvements welcome.

I still haven't bought any materials yet, so I am open to suggestions, just keep a newer, rounded look.

 

[FROADER]

What I can't decide is whether or not I want to go round or square.

Do a little of both.

Mine:

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Ya gotta put 'em to the frame only. And when you mount 'em, make sure you leave at least 1/2" between the slider and the closest point on the body, because your frame will twist that far if you put the weight of the truck on the slider...been there...done that.

FWIW, I'd suggest a gusset between the extensions from the frame to the slider. I've done quite a few sets of sliders so far, and found it made a significant difference in how much the sliders flexed relative to the body.

When you go to install them, you will find that you probably will have to drop the gas tank to bolt up the driver's side slider. There just isn't enough room to bolt it up without moving the tank.

Thanks, JD, Ive looked at many of your pictures for ideas, and gussets are on my list.

I was figuring on having to drop the tank from reading your some of your stuff- Imagine that, search does work.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Do a little of both.

Mine:

I really like the look of your sliders, but I have no bender to make those purdy bends. I guess I could get a square base and cut and weld the angles, but they look so much better when bent.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

You're taking the running boards off and replacing with these sliders right?

Yes, the running boards are coming off ASAP, but have to replaced by a slider/step combo. The wife can't get in otherwise.

 

[FROADER]

Yeah, I use mine as steps too.
<------- short

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Froader, how did you bend your tubing? Tubing wall thickness?

 

[JDraper]

Yes, the running boards are coming off ASAP, but have to replaced by a slider/step combo. The wife can't get in otherwise.

Same problem here. Heck, I even need 'em to get into my X, and I'm 6' 1".

BTW, I used Dupli-Color's Bed Liner spray on my sliders, and it works really well. Gives a slightly textured finish so you don't slip on 'em and protects 'em well too. Heckuva lot more cost effective than buying herculiner, or having them rhino/superlined.

 

[Brian1]

There just isn't enough room to bolt it up without moving the tank.

It is possible