Sliders: Body or Frame mounted

[TexGX]

Great points on both sides. My truck is not a pavement queen. She did Broken Arrow in Sedona (first month I had her), Moab and many more trails since (108,000 miles on her). The reason I bring this up is that i need more protection then just the steps. I am thinking that some how moving the KDSS system enough to mount to the frame would be my preference, but it will be difficult. I will have to have them custom made as there is not a big market for sliders for a GX. I could also by a pair for a 4runner, but would still have to get them modified. I will just have to work on it. Thanks for the input.

TexGX

 

[Titanpat57]

I ended up using a RR Outfitter's slider and mounted a step to it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/81940-rocky-road-slider-step-mod.html

I think I would only do a frame mount...can't believe the body could handle much abuse. Even if it's spread out over the length of the rocker, I can't see it holding up if you do end up blasting something. I would think the cost of a decent bolt on frame mounted slider will cost much less than damaged rockers and/or doors.

There's some great companies that consider the impact and location of the KDSS in their designs.

Good luck, Pat

 

[bjowett]

Good example on a Jeep....

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f123/poison-spyder-brawler-rockers-68645.html

 

[rsbmg]

I had a similar slider on my jeep but a jeep and a lexus are not built the same. the body corner on a jeep is at a 90 degree angle and steel plate is fabbed up to cover the top and side. Its more of a body reinforcement. I dont see how you would do that style on a lexus but I dont have a lexus so maybe its possible. I am thinking more in terms of a tacoma type slider where he is asking if he could just bolt that to the body somehow and I would so no way.

 

[zidaro]

another thread on this subject- http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1000004 , with more of the same

there are ALWAYS two sides to a story and everyone has an opinion, you just have to decide what will work best for you. sliders can be attached both ways and work perfectly. are you looking for clearance? Do you want to do body work and have them stealth? Need a step too? Want to be able to cut them off later?

Only thing i think you will find a common opinion on, if you intend to use them as SLIDERS- weld them on, brace them, and use 0.12 or thicker material.

Post up your shots when your done! Love GX platform. Sliders will offer you a peace of mind like no other on rocky, loggy trails.

 

[zidaro]

and they make a great buffer between a wild shopping cart or slippery tourist too

 

[rsbmg]

How you use your vehicle and what type of vehicle it is are really going to dictate what you can get away with. You can NOT mount sliders on the body of every vehicle and have them withstand real offroad abuse. It aint happening.

 

[john101477]

As long as you are Welding across a large section of BODY and NOT just mounting to the stupid body mounts with a cpl of bolts it will be fine. Proper body mounts, ie, cutting the body below the door and replacing with a much stouter piece of tube metal works great. I have crawled with guys that do this and no issues. Welding to the frame is your second option in either case there are obvious drawbacks.

Mounting to the body with a cpl of bolts is not an option for a real slider and you stand a much higher degree of risque if you do hit and sheer bolts than if you do it the right way. Never ever mount a structural piece of equipment to non structural sheet metal.

 

[bjowett]

Huh, do something that seems a little unorthodox and it becomes not nice in a hurry. Body mounted sliders have been around for a long time, but they are not the end all be all. Just a good way to protect things when frame mount won't work or unibody conditions exist. There is plenty of structure in the complete length of the rocker to support well done body mounters. The tie into the body mounts is not the only connection to the body, never said it is to be that way, just a good idea in addition to other mount points. :beer:

 

[john101477]

Step - Has 3 body mount points
http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/group/main/41/4177_1_lg.jpg
step - has 2 frame mount points
http://www.softys.ca/image_items/trk_acc/both_nerfbar_.jpg
Step that looks like a slider - has 2 frame mounts
http://image.4wdandsportutility.com...d_38_z+1998_jeep_cherokee_xj+rock_sliders.jpg
Slider - has multiple mount points to distribute load.
http://hybridracingllc.com/uploads/products/rocksliders/rockslider.gif
Rocker rebuilt with slider - very cool!!! and by far the best way. eliminates snag points under the truck. solid weld over entire length distributes weight evenly
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll293/lgraham09/85 4Runner build/IMG_0189-1.jpg

 

[TangoBlue]

Huh, do something that seems a little unorthodox and it becomes not nice in a hurry. Body mounted sliders have been around for a long time, but they are not the end all be all. Just a good way to protect things when frame mount won't work or unibody conditions exist. There is plenty of structure in the complete length of the rocker to support well done body mounters. The tie into the body mounts is not the only connection to the body, never said it is to be that way, just a good idea in addition to other mount points. :beer:

Don't get annoyed... the cool thing about "thinking outside the box" is proving how well it works. See my SAC build...

I still want to see how you do it on your Tundra. I've followed your posts/build and would enjoy seeing how you tackle the problem. I'm confident you'll noodle-out something clever.

But I still maintain body mounted sliders are not for everyone, especially in the absence of an experienced fabricator/builder, nor would be a thrifty alternative to frame mounting.

 

[Dave Bennett]

But I still maintain body mounted sliders are not for everyone, especially in the absence of an experienced fabricator/builder, nor would be a thrifty alternative to frame mounting.

I agree.