rock sliders/onboard air tank

[Wills05xlt4x4]

So my running boards are off and I'm working on how I want to fabricate sliders so I'm looking at pics and such and read some people have used them as onboard air tanks...
Seems like a very clever use of space especially if I'm making them anyways...
anyone seen it done?

INPUT PLEASE....
THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

[IZwack]

What if rust holes appear (which is only accelerated every time you scrape it over a rock) or gets penetrated by a rock? : Plus tanks with square edges dont do very well when it comes to internal pressure - too many stress risers near and at the corners.

 

[RockRanger]

My wive has 2x4 square tube rear bumper on her jeep that we use as an air tank. It is hooked to a yourk so it will see 125 psi pretty quick. We don't keep if filled but it makes it easier to have the tank when airing up tires and not having the compressor kick off to quick. When I do OBA i plan to use my bumper as an air tank as well.

What Iz says is true though. I wouldn't do it for something that sees pressure all the time. Plus you have to figure out a way to get the moisture out of the inside to keep it from rusting from the inside out.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

So I've got a set planned out I'm thinking 2"x2" frame mounts a 2"x8" sliders air tank and then an outer 2" tube off the side to slide against trees and serve as a step ill post some pics soon any thoughts on this setup

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

shetchup drawings

Rock sliders top view by billyssingle, on Flickr

With captions by billyssingle, on Flickr

Front outside view by billyssingle, on Flickr
Comments? All are welcome....

 

[mynameisaric]

what thickness are you going with? those are going to be HEAVY even if you only use .125

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

what thickness are you going with? those are going to be HEAVY even if you only use .125

Yeah that's what I'm somewhat concerned about.. the body is 8" roughly on the bottom and I really want max protection for the body....
Any suggestions?

 

[Ronin8002]

I don't see the weight being a big deal as long as they are strong enough to use as a jacking point without bending or losing their ability to hold air.

Are you fabbing them yourself?

 

[mynameisaric]

I honestly have no experience with sliders. I built some 6 years ago and have yet to put them on the truck. seems like a small tank ideally located somewhere would be a better way to go. I think you need to ask yourself if you really think you'll get crazy enough with your truck to need that much protection.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I don't see the weight being a big deal as long as they are strong enough to use as a jacking point without bending or losing their ability to hold air.

Are you fabbing them yourself?

I sure am making them myself... I don't see weight being a huge issue especially with it well below center of gravity...
And as far as how often I would make use of all that protection, hopefully not too often but I've been down a few trails where I'm avoiding rocks the whole time and I have many scratches on the running boards before I pulled them(the Eddie bauer steel steps)... I have considered fabricating a mount for rails so they bolt on so I can remove if needed...
I'm driving x daily till I get a windshield in my Taurus then its back to a backup vehicle/roadtrip car(son loves built in dvd player and I love still having radio and sanity)
And as got the air... There is NO space in the truck since I have third row seating unless it was crazy custom unless I'm missing somewhere...

 

[Ronin8002]

You might also look to mount an air tank on the top of one of the frame rails towards the rear of the truck. Should be a fair amoutn of room esp with the body lift.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

You might also look to mount an air tank on the top of one of the frame rails towards the rear of the truck. Should be a fair amoutn of room esp with the body lift.

Good idea I may try to find one for the spare tire is now...

 

[Ronin8002]

Shouldn't need to put it where the spare is unless you're going really big with it. The frame rail location could easily fit a cylinder shaped 2.5 gallon tank or larger. You could do a tank on each frame rail on either side of the spare and a little more forward of the spare compartment.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

Shouldn't need to put it where the spare is unless you're going really big with it. The frame rail location could easily fit a cylinder shaped 2.5 gallon tank or larger. You could do a tank on each frame rail on either side of the spare and a little more forward of the spare compartment.

Gotcha that would be a pretty good setup I don't really need a huge tank though i would like to be able to use air tools to change a tire or make repairs and definitely air back up...
I don't expect to be able to use my impact but in bursts I know the pump won't be that strong(don't want that expensive of one nor that high of amps) but changing a tire etc should be ok..

 

[bftank]

i have actually been building exactly what you are talking about and have one of them welded up. still need to put bungs in it. i made mine out of .25 yes they are heavy but this way i am not worried about them at all.

i will try to put pics up tonight or tomorrow of them.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

i have actually been building exactly what you are talking about and have one of them welded up. still need to put bungs in it. i made mine out of .25 yes they are heavy but this way i am not worried about them at all.

i will try to put pics up tonight or tomorrow of them.

sweet can't wait to see them maybe a estimated wieght...
These seem to be the best underbody protection....

 

[Turdle]

Just gonna throw my .02 in here.

The "air tank" is going to have a lot of welded spots, in all directions. I am not an expert welder by any means, but I think this will weaken the steel in areas, and, these welds will be very difficult to clean and coat effectively under "rock sliding" conditions. The internal voids and corners will hold moisture, and once one little spot is compromised, then gets hit with an impact twist on the nerf bars---ummmm


It might go hiss and it might go boom.

I like the design for a rocker slider guard though.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

It might go hiss and it might go boom.

I like the design for a rocker slider guard though.

Thought about that for sure and I'd definitely run with them at 0 and flip on compressor just before needed... Running them with no air should help reduce the added stresses...

Thank-you for the input I appreciate it and look forward to more

 

[DB_1]

I honestly don't think i'd worry about it all that much. Especially if you are using .25 wall tubing...even .188 wall would be plenty strong. What's an aftermarket air tank made of, 16 gauge at best? Granted you aren't bashing it against rocks and such but the worst you are gonna do with the sliders is dent or bend them if you are lucky.

 

[Wills05xlt4x4]

I honestly don't think i'd worry about it all that much. Especially if you are using .25 wall tubing...even .188 wall would be plenty strong. What's an aftermarket air tank made of, 16 gauge at best? Granted you aren't bashing it against rocks and such but the worst you are gonna do with the sliders is dent or bend them if you are lucky.

That was my conclusion more or less.. plus IF and I stress IF I damaged one I have another for backup...
The key would be good airtight welds.....
What could go wrong right... LOL