Slider Idea, Need Input (1 Viewer)

[kbahus]

As you know I am up in arms about what to do about sliders and came up with an idea that I would like some input about. I don't really like typical tube sliders and saw these for Jeeps:

I really like the look and should be easy to make with the proper sheet metal brake. The hard part would be frame attachment since the frame is not a straight line front to back. I was thinking it would be fairly simple to keep the bottom flat and weld it straight to the bottom of the frame, then you could just cut out the right shape. Maybe some gussets at the bend for strength. I am going to run a couple bullet cats so this should eliminate the only low hanging parts. Am I out of my mind (it is late and I am up past my bed time) Will something like this support the weight of the truck or just fold up? Looks like they make something similar for the 4-door model Jeeps so I would think it might work.

Jeep Brawler Rockers | Jeep Rocker Armor | Poison Spyder

 

[DiscoveredLC]

The sill underneath the doors sticks way down compared to a jeep. There's no way you'll be able to mount those.

 

[kbahus]

They do hang down but not lower than the bottom of the frame rail.

 

[ppc]

Those look to be mounted to the body of the Jeep not the frame. With the weight of the Land Cruiser I would think they would bend, cause rattles etc. and would be a PITA even if they could be frame mounted.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

Yup. They're a body mounted slider and the 90* bend isn't even close to the curve of the land cruiser sills.

I've built similar sliders for a jeep and they are a totally different method than what works on a cruiser.

 

[kbahus]

Just trying to think outside the box. I wouldn't actually use those, I know they won't work but I like the idea. However, I did not realize they actually attach to the body itself. I don't think there would be a good way to attach something like that to the rocker panel. I will take another look tonight. It would be kind of cool not have to run any supports to the frame rails though, just attach 3/16" sheet to the rocker directly some how.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

I had sill mounted sliders on my Land Rover, and it didnt work out to well on hard trails. I landed pretty hard on the passenger side one trip, and it resulted in the sill being crushed and the door not opening. I had to cut it all apart and re weld in new plate to strengthen it.

THey call it the "soda can affect." Bolting a slider to a piece of the body that is about as stout as a soda can makes for problems down the road. Here's the sliders I had on the Rover...

http://www.rovertym.com/index.php/D...iders/Rock-Sliders-with-Square-Nerf-Bars.html

stick with the frame, its your best mounting point.

 

[DiscoveredLC]

here's what happened to the Rover...

Sill Damage repair - DiscoWeb Message Boards

 

[Trapper50cal]

Not to kybosh your mindset or anything, but the whole reason all current offerings stem from the frame rails is because they are rigid enough to protect the rockers from contact. If you hang heavy metal off the rocker itself, contact won't be as localized but the damage will still likely occur. Not enough structural rigidity as a foundation...

 

[kidglove13]

The rockers on an 80 a pretty soft to begin with
The only way that would work is if you cut out the rocker area and reinforced it and then build something on that
I personally like a slider that sticks out a bit because the body on the 80 curves out quit a bit from the rocker panels and a slider that sticks out somewhat will help keep rocks and other things not only away from your rockers but the bottom of your doors as well
You would definitly still need some type of bar work that stuck out off of the rocker quite a bit more than what you pictured for the jeep
The 80 loves to lean into stuff it is the nature of the beast

 

[kbahus]

Thanks for the input and pointed out the flaws. Back to the drawing board....

 

[80t0ylc]

Just trying to think outside the box. I wouldn't actually use those, I know they won't work but I like the idea. However, I did not realize they actually attach to the body itself. I don't think there would be a good way to attach something like that to the rocker panel. I will take another look tonight. It would be kind of cool not have to run any supports to the frame rails though, just attach 3/16" sheet to the rocker directly some how.

The rigid strength of your rig is in the frame, not the body. It is what the vehicle is built around. (I'm talking about conventional, not uni-body.) The body is for looks and protecting the occupants from weather & dirt, but has minimal strength for serious stress forces. Sliders fall into the category of protection from serious stress. So they should be mounted to what is strongest. And on the 80 series, like other conventional built rigs, the frame is where you want to attach your addional protection. Roll bars (not roll cages) are an exception. If you're just adding a roll bar, they actually protect better when attached to the body. But for racing or extreme protection, a roll cage is generally built as an extention of the vehicle's frame. HTH

 

[tromz]

Metal-Tech is IMHO the best there is. Already thought out planned and trail tested!!
I swear by mine and have seen others fail . They are beyond beefy and im sure if you dont like the tube look they can do something custom on the same platform.
Fitment of a home made job is going to be the issue . The 80 has several body mounts and a angle in the frame rail . and cats that hang down.
Not to be a salesman just sayin you cant go wrong buying a pair. Quick simple and easy to install! Use that metal and skill to weld up other cool stuff.

 

[kidglove13]

DIY sliders are a piece of cake for 1/3 the price
Cat protection is over rated in my opinion, most peoples cats are probably on there way out anyhow
And I beat mine just as hard if not hard than most on a reagular basis
Yes Metal Tech's would be great if you have the cake to pay for it
Not to take away from them, they have nice s***, just expensive s***
If I had the coin I would probably be sportn them

 

[Trapper50cal]

My metaltech sliders have taken some GIGANTIC hits, like freefall style hits. Bombproof. As has my IPOR skidplate. Both worth their weight (which is substantial) in gold.

 

[jynx]

In line with the out of the box thinking, I have seen the sills cut out and heavy walled rectangular tubing welded in on a grand Cherokee, course they are a uni-body design.

I like your thought process, always good to get some different ideas on the table.

Maybe something similar to a boat-side. If you had the plate and could break it and reinforce it, then I think you could build a slider similar to those. As a side benefit they would by design have built in cat protection for either side (91-97). Would want some holes for draining, maybe dimple died into them.

Kinda like a full length wing like you get with the 4x4labs rear bumper kit. now that I'm thinking about it, sounding interesting. Will probably be heavy depending on how thick of plate you used.

 

[Enigma]

You could gracefully cut out your factory rocker panels and replace them with some formed plate or large pipe. I recall Bruce (Lowenbrau) doing something along those lines on a BJ70 once, different than an 80 yes.
Anyways, torch away and let us know how it turns out

 

[wspastorbryan]

Thanks for the input and pointed out the flaws. Back to the drawing board....

I still like the idea. You have to have them mounted to the frame... and I wouldn't worry about cat protection, just get a new 3 way and weld it up higher. But I think you can still get the look you're going for with some cutting and work and have it still be functional.

 

[darwink1]

I made my sliders for all of 50 bucks. If you have acess to a welder/grinder youre good to go.

D

 

[kbahus]

I am still looking around at ideas and found a coupe pics posted of Landcruiserphil's rig. Check this out, just a simple section of tube that looks to be bolted directly to the rocker. I wonder how this is holding up?