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Originally Posted by Awl_TEQ
I have to mount my sliders and cage to the frame at nearly the same spot on the frame. Rather than making three mounting points for the slider and then two more for the cage and then to more stock cab mounts (7 total) I was toying with the idea of combining them. They would run from front to back as follows: front brush guard/cage/slider mount, then front stock cab mount, then middle slider mount, then rear cab/cage mount and finally the rear most slider mount just in front of the rear wheel. That would make 5 mounts in 6' of frame rail. There is also skid plate issues later on. Whadaya think? Combining mounts would sure clean it up and simplify it. I guess I'm asking: any drawbacks to having the brush guard, slider, cage, and cab connected at one spot? If a guy came off a big rock and hit hard on the slider, what would that do to the cab and cage? If it was all solid enough and properly designed nothing would happen I guess. I would make the slider and brush guards bolt on - so they could be replaced if damaged.
I'm gonna spend a little time lying on the creeper thinking the mounts through 
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I’m really not sure and I guess it depends on how it’s done. Personally, I like simple and functional designs but sometimes they are the most difficult to achieve. If me, I think I would try to separate the brush guard/slider from the cab/cage. I would also try to build a little bit of a crush zone around the brush guard/slider as well so if you were to hit something and they moved/bent a little it would not compromise the cab or bed.
Some things I would keep in mind if combining...
- Can you combine and locate in a spot that makes it convenient for assembly and disassembly?
- Will the now combined location be subject to higher force/loads/leverage making it more prone to failure or bending?
- Will you improve the looks/aesthetics?
In a combined mount setup it seems like if designed correctly that a hit in the slider/brush guard would not damage the cab and cage but it would probably transmit the noise into the cab and make it seem worse than it was while sitting inside.
For this one, there are probably a bunch of ways to do it that will work well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Awl_TEQ
I think your right - maybe I'm over building it. I don't plan on thrashing this truck much anyway, but once on the trail I want a vehicle that can clear almost any obstacle at least once.
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Not overbuilding, just building what you want.
With mine, I’m trying build a reliable rig that can do most trails around this area without getting thrashed (mainly body and bed) but at the same time trying to keep the weight down as much as possible. I hope to drive over most obstacles but those I can’t, I have no problem driving around or taking a bypass.