OEM steps OUT! (1 Viewer)

[bowyer2002]

OEM steps OUT! SLIDERS IN!

Removed OEM step this weekend in preparation for the Trail Gear Sliders installation as soon as my -do's are completed.

Notice in the pictures it appears that I have already gained about 2" more clearance just by taking off the step but now the rocker panel is naked & vulnerable to damage.

Better get to work so I can show the finished product!

 

[Happy Trails]

Much better! Looking forward to pics of the new sliders.

 

[PigHeaded]

Definite improvement....even without the sliders.....

 

[hayesvegas]

bowyer2002 what kind of lift do you have?

 

[bowyer2002]

I did a home made spacer lift 3"+/- up front and AAL with shackle in the rear.
With my tires it gives me enought clearance to drive over a milk crate in the garage .
My tires do rub sometimes though when the suspension compresses up front - otherwise it drives & rides like stock,
stock with worn out shocks! those will be repaced soon.

 

[hoch]

Might want to get some mud flaps temporarily so that rocks don't chip up your rocker panels.

 

[bowyer2002]

I will add mud flaps too! Good suggestion since I live on a gravel road.

Pictures should be posted later today!

 

[bowyer2002]

I am done installing my sliders!

I have included pictures of my process so that others may see what they are getting into doing this kind of installation and maybe help them short cut some of my steps!

I had to cut to length the notched tubes that run from the frame bracket to the slider.
Now it is time to clean up the mounting plate (grind off the slag & oil) and the tube ends to be welded.

2nd pic shows finished one side of mounts

3rd picture is leveling the frame rail, I used my floor jack so that I could use this as a point of reference to make sure that the sliders were in line with the frame.

 

[bowyer2002]

After I decided where the mounts could fit, around other considerations on the frame, I located where I would have to clerance the pinch weld for the mounts.

This happened because I welded my mounting tubes too high up on the mounting plate. Measure twice & weld once!
It gained me another 1" clerance but cost me a lot of work grinding out the pinch weld!

C-clamps are great for initial set up and test fitting.

 

[bowyer2002]

The hardest part was getting the slider angle correct.
Finally I realized that I could measure from the bottom of the open doors to ensure clearance (1") and that the slider would be level (remember the level on the frame rail, check the level with your slider and you should be good)

This is where a 2nd person would be especially helpful since they could hold things in place while the sliders are tack welded.

After tack welding I removed the sliders from the frame and finish welded - to ensure better weld quality and fewer burns!

When the welding is all done, remember to wash off all the extra oil on the sliders, air dry and apply your paint. I used the rubber spray on undercoating since it looks good and is easy to touch up!

 

[bowyer2002]

After all that is done (sorry no paint pictures!)

Time to re-install on the frame with the c-clamps to double check clearances against the door's bottom, level with frame and square with the frame.

THIS is IMPORTANT since some changes will most likely occur since you are welding and the welding sometimes moves things due to the heat from the weld!

I would also recommend if you are grinding the pinch weld as I did that you apply some under coating/paint/rust preventative to the newly exposed metal.

I will have to ge a fininshed project picture later - it was dark when I finished and I wanted to get to bed!

 

[bowyer2002]

Here is the final product
Thanks for looking

I will test them this weekend with my Hi-LIft to see that I can lift my truck with my welds....you'll just have to check back

 

[hoch]

Wow, nice job. Looks real clean and professional. How did the testing go?

 

[bowyer2002]

Testing will have to be done tonite, as I have been too busy to put the hi-lift on it.
This is all weather based, when I plan to do it - we end up with rain!

Pictures will be posted though - sorry for the wait & thanks a lot for the compliments!

 

[bowyer2002]

Hi-Lift tested today!



It amazed me that the sliders didn't even flex enough to touch the clearanced pinch welds!

I am TOTALLY satisified with the installation and quality of the Trail-Gear sliders!

The front wheel was off the ground about 1-2" and the rear just kept flexing and I didnt want the Hi-Lift to kick out and dent the door.
I am confident that the truck could be completely lifted with just the sliders!

 

[FJ40onNOS]

Looks nice!!!

 

[bowyer2002]

FJ40-

Thanks for the compliment!
However my doesn't like them since the sliders are taller than before and she hates to climb into the truck. Oh well....

BTW does your 40 really have NoS?

 

[bowyer2002]

I need to give a kudos to "Trail-Gear"

When I ordered my sliders (and my brothers) I requested a couple of stickers. The stickers didn't arrive with the sliders.

I called Trail-Ready and explained my original sticker request and asked if I could get a couple - they said sure.

A few days later I get a BOX that has about a DOZEN 11" x 6" stickers in it!

Talk about customer satisfaction! Hats off to that company, I am very happy with the sliders (both sets) and their going out of the way for my stickers!

 

[bkg]

Trail-Ready makes sliders now? KEWL!

 

[bowyer2002]

bkg - that is Trail-Gear

sorry for the typo