Open source frame brackets for bolt on slider fabrication

[1 Bored Clerk]

Well, with all the foul weather and folks being out sick, my sliders weren't finished last week. They said they should have no problem getting them done the first part of this week. Which was totally fine since I ended up working all weekend and had no interest in driving from bad conditions to worse conditions and then climbing under my snow/ice packed truck and dealing with that whole mess. So, hopefully, I'll have one more update this weekend before these go out for powdercoating! Fingers crossed.

I've had several requests for frame plate files. One all the way from South Africa and two from Hawaii! Hopefully we start seeing some slider projects pop up soon! (I have a sister thread to this one over on Tacoma World...where most of the requests have come from, incidentally)

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

Well, after 4 blown deadlines in a week and a half, I finally picked up my sliders from the shop doing the tube bending/welding. They look just how I wanted which is great but the shop missed a small but potentially critical detail. They didn't notch the rear of the slider to inset the tubing so now the slider is approximately 7/8" longer than I wanted. Normally not a big deal, but that's right where the bed body line drops down toward the front of the rear wheel opening. I hope it's not a problem...but I shortened it from my original plan because it was closer than I liked. We'll see this weekend when I test fit 'em! I'll post up some pics tonight (crappy, dark pics) or tomorrow (slightly better pics). Despite the potential issue, it's cool to see all of the pieces in place!

 

[jeverich]

Anxious to see how they look.. Might be interested in doing some production work; offering bolt on sliders using your frame mounts..

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

Well, there were just a few too many details that weren't done correctly so I took the sliders back to the shop to have all the corrections made. One of them was a potentially big issue (didn't notch the tubing into the back of the slider as requested so it was too long) and one was an aesthetic issue (they used 2" tubing when I requested 1.75"). The 2" just looked fat and bloated. Should have them back on Friday. We'll see! My confidence is low at this point but that doesn't stop me from hoping like crazy! I'm soooo ready to put this slider/skids project to bed for good.

 

[jeverich]

Well, there were just a few too many details that weren't done correctly so I took the sliders back to the shop to have all the corrections made. One of them was a potentially big issue (didn't notch the tubing into the back of the slider as requested so it was too long) and one was an aesthetic issue (they used 2" tubing when I requested 1.75"). The 2" just looked fat and bloated. Should have them back on Friday. We'll see! My confidence is low at this point but that doesn't stop me from hoping like crazy! I'm soooo ready to put this slider/skids project to bed for good.

That's too bad..

Too many time I've heard stories of Fab shops taking a customer's request and warping it.. If someone approaches me with a specific design; I build it to their design. Even if I think it's ugly, I build it to their design.

I could understand if you requested DOM and they used HREW; but using tubing that's .25" bigger is pretty unreasonable. Definitely agree that 2" on sliders looks really goofy.

Hoping that they're not going to charge you to do the corrections..

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

That's too bad..

Too many time I've heard stories of Fab shops taking a customer's request and warping it.. If someone approaches me with a specific design; I build it to their design. Even if I think it's ugly, I build it to their design.

I could understand if you requested DOM and they used HREW; but using tubing that's .25" bigger is pretty unreasonable. Definitely agree that 2" on sliders looks really goofy.

Hoping that they're not going to charge you to do the corrections..

No, he was willing to give me my money back and make them right. I didn't feel good about that...after all, he did the work! In the end, they were done correctly (just picked them up) and I am a happy customer. Pics in the next post!

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

One step closer!

Okay, after a bit of a runaround, I just picked up my sliders from the fab shop. They ended up how I wanted them but the whole process has made me re-think my position on whether or not I'm going to buy my own bender. We'll see.

I have some edge cleanup and weld re-doin' to do along with the skid plate mounts but that seems small after all of the work/hassle that's gone into these already. At least I can see the final form in real life...and I like! :drool:


The left one shows the top of the slider and the right shows the bottom

Top one shows the top and bottom is the bottom

Top from the front. Notice the small notch I put on the inside leading edge of the slider...it's to give more clearance where the body starts contouring out by the front fender flare.

Bottom from the front. Lots of angled pieces

Top of slider form the rear

Bottom of the slider from the rear

I cannot wait to see these on the truck!! This weekend may not happen but it might...

The final finish will be black wrinkle powder coat. I know it'll get all scratched and dented but I'll just rattle can touch up the bare metal. I mainly want the powder coat to protect all of the hidden areas from rust.

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

So close I can taste it!

Got a TON done this weekend! Sliders and skids are done being 'fabbed and modded' and are ready for powdercoat. I can't express how happy I am to be nearly done with this never-ending project.

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On the truck! I like the dark, grainy photos...adds some mystery to the whole deal.

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Passenger side. I'm diggin' it! Needs some powdercoat bad, though. Tired of seeing bare steel.

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The main beam sticks out just as far as the widest part of the front door. The kickout is 1.75" wider. Looks good to me! :drool:

I drove the truck to dinner with these bolted up. It was immediately noticeable that something was different. The truck felt stiffer and I could hear and feel different sounds/vibes than before. Nothing annoying or odd. I was just surprised that it was noticeable even just driving down the driveway.

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

Skidder

This is a slider thread but you're going to hear about my skid just a little because it's part of the slider project.

The Relentless Fab transfer case skid plate has two arms that come off the rear and use an L bracket to attach to the bottom of the frame. You're supposed to drill a hole on each side and you're done. Well, since I'm trying to NOT drill any holes, I cut off the mounts it came with and made my own. Why not, right?

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Driver side looking forward

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Passenger side looking forward

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Side view of mount from frame level. Tucked up pretty well, I think. You can just see two silver bolt heads poking down. I'll give a lot more information on these skids once I get them back from powdercoat and mounted on the truck. I'll put that stuff in my truck build thread...not here.

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

Huh..huh..you said 'Load'.

TruckLOAD of armor ready for powdercoat!

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[1 Bored Clerk]

Dropped everything off at powder coat on Friday! Should have it all back next week sometime. Luckily, the shop was running a nice pebble finish satin black next week and they'll just throw mine in with that batch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

I got everything bolted up for good this weekend! I'll post up my usual crappy pics this evening. I am SOOO happy to be done with this project.

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

D.O.N.E.

I got everything done! Sliders and skids are finished. :wings:

I went to pick up the sliders and skids from powdercoat and immediately noticed something was wrong.

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These should both look like the one on the left.

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I used some quick grips and a piece of hardwood and tweaked it back easily. No damage to the finish either.

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Here they are basking in the sun! The powdercoat looks awesome but it really shows how awful I am at both welding and grinding. Weak sauce beginner skillz. They look plenty good to bash on rocks, though! :smiley_drive:

After a few hours of fluid-filming the frame and fitting up three skids and two sliders on my own, here's what I was left with. CRAPPY PIC ALERT!!

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I swear there is a slider in this picture somewhere. It's a bit like a Where's Waldo puzzle. I swear I'll get better photos next time its nice out and I'm somewhere cool.

Thanks to everyone that has followed this thread and offered insight and support! I'll continue to post updates on the design and how they hold up to use. I hope that those of you who requested the files will post your project here (or at least a link) to keep this alive. I'll continue to offer the files as long as I'm around.

 

[tweeek]

I got everything done! Sliders and skids are finished. :wings:

I went to pick up the sliders and skids from powdercoat and immediately noticed something was wrong.

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These should both look like the one on the left.

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I used some quick grips and a piece of hardwood and tweaked it back easily. No damage to the finish either.

[/URL][/IMG]
Here they are basking in the sun! The powdercoat looks awesome but it really shows how awful I am at both welding and grinding. Weak sauce beginner skillz. They look plenty good to bash on rocks, though! :smiley_drive:

After a few hours of fluid-filming the frame and fitting up three skids and two sliders on my own, here's what I was left with. CRAPPY PIC ALERT!!

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I swear there is a slider in this picture somewhere. It's a bit like a Where's Waldo puzzle. I swear I'll get better photos next time its nice out and I'm somewhere cool.

Thanks to everyone that has followed this thread and offered insight and support! I'll continue to post updates on the design and how they hold up to use. I hope that those of you who requested the files will post your project here (or at least a link) to keep this alive. I'll continue to offer the files as long as I'm around.

These look really awesome. Different than the norm. Would love to see a couple more pics.

 

[1 Bored Clerk]

Yeah, I really need to get some decent pictures of the whole deal. Maybe this weekend?? It's so rainy and crappy here...and not supposed to let up until...never. Maybe my Go-Pro would be a better picture taking device than my iPhone 4? Haha...