Builds Box Rocket 1995 FZJ80 Build

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Finished up the sliders over the weekend. Not many people use the Trail Gear sliders, but I ran a set on my old '93 for years and was very impressed with them and how well they've held up. As will any slider, proper gussets at the frame are key to keep them from flexing. There is some fabrication involved with the Trail Gear sliders since they are made for Tacomas. The sliders ship with the main slider fully built but with the legs un attached so that you can set the angle of the slider where you want it. The forward leg that is supplied is too short so that what you need to handle on your own. I used some 1.5" 0.25" wall square tube for that front leg. It's crazy beefy but since it's a longer leg it helps to have heavier material. I made some big gussets from 0.5" plate. The sliders are welded to the frame using some 3/16" scab plates on the frame with the slider/gussets welded to the frame plates. On the passenger side I needed to bend the forward leg to pass under the cats. All in all I think they turned out nice and for the cost, they are the best bang for the buck sliders out there for the 80 IMO even with the extra work involved. Hard to go wrong for roughly $200. You'll want the 67" versions.
https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Rock_Slider_Kit_58_/i_0_0_3212/_120001-1-KIT.aspx
.

.

.

.

.

.
Could you pm me or post some pictures of where, and how you mounted your sliders?
 
Could you pm me or post some pictures of where, and how you mounted your sliders?
I don't have a good photo of the new sliders at the moment but here's one of the same kind of sliders used on my old '93. I welded frame plates to the frame and then welded the legs to the plates and put gussets on top. It's also necessary to notch the rocker panel pinch weld for the legs and even then then legs will weld on almost flush with the lower edge of the frame.
On my '93 I lined up the legs with the spreaders in the sliders. I think on my new ones I spaced the front and back legs out a little more to the ends. Not much difference but a little. On the passenger side you'll need to bend a new leg to pass under the cats If you have the dual front to back cats like mine, I made that leg pass right between the two cats to keep as much clearance as possible.
 
Saw your rig at Fiesta Mexicana. I went out to Moab for some camping and didn't even realize it was CM week, lol. I probably passed some of you guys on the highway on the way back to CO.
 
That is some SERIOUS pucker factor on that! I honestly don't know if I would attempt to tackle that. Maybe if I had all the armor you have and the lift. That was very good driving, planting that wheel on top for the poser shot!

Great job! I'm jealous, as that all looks like a TON of fun!
 
haha. thanks that obstacle is fun that way because there is really very little danger. That line I took is purely for fun. If you straddle the crack all the way up it's a very simple and easy obstacle. But even if you lift a tire like I did, it is very unlikely that you'll tip the truck. I don't think I've ever seen anyone flip a truck in there.
 
I don't have a good photo of the new sliders at the moment but here's one of the same kind of sliders used on my old '93. I welded frame plates to the frame and then welded the legs to the plates and put gussets on top. It's also necessary to notch the rocker panel pinch weld for the legs and even then then legs will weld on almost flush with the lower edge of the frame.
On my '93 I lined up the legs with the spreaders in the sliders. I think on my new ones I spaced the front and back legs out a little more to the ends. Not much difference but a little. On the passenger side you'll need to bend a new leg to pass under the cats If you have the dual front to back cats like mine, I made that leg pass right between the two cats to keep as much clearance as possible.
Curious as well to see your passenger side mounting, and did you do three supports or add a fourth?
 
The passenger side is essentially just like what you see in the above photo. Just three legs. The front one needs to be bent to pass under the cats and I located mine so it goes between the two cats. The small heat shield that hangs just below the rocker panel also needs to be clearance a little for that leg.

This shows what I did a little better. I have a small angle-iron "skid" under the cats. Right now it's just welded to the forward leg and is working fine for now but I'll be adding tie-ins for the skid at the front and back of it to make it more sturdy.
 
You know its not a good time unless a few dudes are there trying to keep the truck from rolling over :flipoff2:
Screen Shot 2015-05-06 at 9.29.50 AM.png
 
Yeah it's funny, when those guys climbed on it wasn't at a point where it was tipped the most. When it tipped the farthest the truck was resting on the sliders so it wasn't going to tip any farther at that point, but once I started backing up the rock I was leaning on wasn't there any more so it was possible that it could have flopped. Good times. :)
 
Just picked these up today. I've been running stock gears in my 80s for the past 15 years with 35's and have never felt like it was a big issue not having lower gears, but I got a good deal on a set of 4.88s so Now I can find out what I've been missing. :)
 
I've been enjoying mine for about the last 5years. i think you'll be happy. Good time to do lockers too while in there...just sayin.
 
Thanks for the info and image! I'm going to go the trail gear route and possibly add a 4th leg on there. I like the angle idea for a quick defense system. I have a rad steel supply house here in Sacramento, was going to have them bend me a shield out of 3/16 plate that I can remove to access the cats when the government huffer comes around every two years. Again, thanks for the info, really like your rig!
 
adam damn you for wanting to make me spend money...... I've been in hiding for about 6 months as we prepped for the baby and than I log in and see that BEAUTIFUL roof rack.....
 
The passenger side is essentially just like what you see in the above photo. Just three legs. The front one needs to be bent to pass under the cats and I located mine so it goes between the two cats. The small heat shield that hangs just below the rocker panel also needs to be clearance a little for that leg.

This shows what I did a little better. I have a small angle-iron "skid" under the cats. Right now it's just welded to the forward leg and is working fine for now but I'll be adding tie-ins for the skid at the front and back of it to make it more sturdy.
So I'm getting some smaller, bullet style cats put on this coming week, and I need some advice. Is it worth losing the 3" ground clearance and running the exhaust back under the frame/all the way out, or could I benefit from tucking it up high in the exterior with it dumping out before the tire, and having to modify all the slider legs a bit. I measured it all up and I'd have to mod them by (at most)1-1/2 inches to make it work. "Muffling" levels/noise aren't an issue, myself and the family are used to loud vehicles, just wondering in your, and all opinions, if the mod of all slider legs is worth the less ground clearance and less headache from the axle back? Any and all $.02 welcome!
 
adam damn you for wanting to make me spend money...... I've been in hiding for about 6 months as we prepped for the baby and than I log in and see that BEAUTIFUL roof rack.....
Haha thanks Joe. I was wondering what had happened to you. Congrats on the baby. There is a separate thread on the racks with details.
 
yah sometimes you need a bit of hiding, I've also been focused on getting my club off the ground a little more
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom