Buddy Can You Spare a Slider? (1 Viewer)

[120mm]

So, I am working at the US Army's Joint Multinational Ready Center in Hohenfels, Germany, and have just convinced the Powers That Be to let myself and some off roader friends to go out when there is no training, and tear stuff up in the 40,000 acre training area.

We may have the opportunity to continue to use this facility, except I won't have a Series 80 for long, if I don't put some rock sliders on it. I've already taken a few hits by these Dolomite spires that stick out of the ground and it rocks the vehicle's world, literally.

Problem is, the Germans can't put rock sliders on their vehicles, so there is zero market for them here. And shipping through normal channels is horrendously expensive.

It's possible to send some things USPS through the Army Postal Office (APO), but packages need to be 70 pounds or less and 108 linear inches or less (Length + Width + Height).

APO Box Shipping - APO FPO Restrictions and Locations by Zip Code

I DO have access to a MIG welder, so what I need is to find a company that will sell me a kit (kickout style preferred) and who will ship me a kit, in multiple "packages", each being less than 70 pounds, etc.. Of course it's also possible I could buy the kit, and have it shipped to a third party, who could repackage it and ship it APO as well.

Any takers? Any other bright ideas?

Drew

 

[hairyguy4]

Maybe box section door cills? I've done it on my 70 and they are a hell of alot stronger than I could have imagined, and I suppose come under body repair rather than modification? Who's to say you cills weren't rusted out!

 

[arcteryx]

Problem is, the Germans can't put rock sliders on their vehicles, so there is zero market for them here. And shipping through normal channels is horrendously expensive.

Can you expound on that? What about going to another country and getting them, either custom made or shipped over. Or are you coming stateside or have someone coming stateside that could possibly bring them back? I got some Metal tech OPOR recently and they are VERY heavy , not sure if a plane would allow them. 100-125 lbs each. I think another country is the best option though.

 

[120mm]

Can you expound on that? What about going to another country and getting them, either custom made or shipped over. Or are you coming stateside or have someone coming stateside that could possibly bring them back? I got some Metal tech OPOR recently and they are VERY heavy , not sure if a plane would allow them. 100-125 lbs each. I think another country is the best option though.

I'm working with several US, UK and French sources. Most neighboring countries don't want to touch US spec Series 80s, because they do Diesel rigs only and aren't interested in engineering petrol 80s.

White Knuckle is trying to find a way to get them here, but shipping pretty much equals or exceeds the cost of the sliders. They advertise their sliders at 65 pounds for drivers' side and 75 for passenger side.

The generic Trail Gear ones are allegedly around 70 pounds. I do not know this for a fact, though.

 

[120mm]

Maybe box section door cills? I've done it on my 70 and they are a hell of alot stronger than I could have imagined, and I suppose come under body repair rather than modification? Who's to say you cills weren't rusted out!

I don't fall under the same vehicle inspection rules as the Germans. We have our own inspection rules/criteria, so sliders work for us, provided they are the bolt on kind.

 

[slow95z]

Make some then, if you have a welders then what's the hold up?

 

[thatcabledude]

Buy a set of @LandCruiserPhil sliders and just be little careful.

Not sure if you will find any sliders that will be able to take a direct hit from Dolomite without crumpling though:

 

[120mm]

Make some then, if you have a welders then what's the hold up?

Problem with that is, the guy with the welder insists on doing the work himself, but won't weld the whole thing from scratch.

So if I make some up from scratch, I don't have the welder anymore.

 

[120mm]

I see these Trail Gears from JEGs are allegedly right at 70 pounds. The question is, is that net or tare weight?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0CXPPXMCZ3TY3PXYRGKG

 

[jeffro109]

You might search for Toyota mini truck sliders, all you need is the right length then make the legs work out with Mr. Welder, and a few U-bolts??

If you need any help shipping something, please let know, I've done international for some camera stuff and APO should be easier.

 

[jeffro109]

I see these Trail Gears from JEGs are allegedly right at 70 pounds. The question is, is that net or tare weight?

Amazon.com: Trail Gear Rock Slider Kit 67" 120002-1-KIT: Automotive

I was looking at lowrange offroad or some such, same item 3 different sizes. Usually the listed weight on amazon is the shipped weight so tare. But it might be off too.

 

[120mm]

You might search for Toyota mini truck sliders, all you need is the right length then make the legs work out with Mr. Welder, and a few U-bolts??

If you need any help shipping something, please let know, I've done international for some camera stuff and APO should be easier.

See, you bring up some of the complexity of this issue.

I'm not hardwired into German culture enough to understand even where to start looking for some of these things.

I have looked for the correct fixtures to mount the sliders to an 80 online, and most of those that used to be offered by various companies have been discontinued. Do you know, offhand, what sized U bolt is needed? If I have the size of U-bolt, I could then build/buy the plates.

 

[120mm]

I was looking at lowrange offroad or some such, same item 3 different sizes. Usually the listed weight on amazon is the shipped weight so tare. But it might be off too.

Off would be bad. I'd end up buying a set of sliders the vendor couldn't ship.

 

[jeffro109]

I'll go measure mine. I have the Slee step sliders for reference, no clue on weight.

 

[jfz80]

It would also be the size u bolt that fits snugly over your frame rail

Or you could just get bolts instead and make a backing plate. If you can get raw steel materials and do the cuttings and grinding; Perhaps there are some files floating around still of georg's old DIY slider design. Maybe that would make mr welder feel more like mr fabricator and ease his concerns.

 

[jeffro109]

C = 4 inches
A = 1/2 inch
B = ~6 inches (7 inches outside to outside so perhaps a hair over 6" inside)

 

[120mm]

View attachment 1225938

C = 4 inches
A = 1/2 inch
B = ~6 inches (7 inches outside to outside so perhaps a hair over 6" inside)

I just measured as well. I think I might be building a set of simple sliders.

It would also be the size u bolt that fits snugly over your frame rail

Or you could just get bolts instead and make a backing plate. If you can get raw steel materials and do the cuttings and grinding; Perhaps there are some files floating around still of georg's old DIY slider design. Maybe that would make mr welder feel more like mr fabricator and ease his concerns.

I just had a friend at work offer up his stick welder, in case Mr. MIG doesn't want to do the whole thing.

 

[jfz80]

Send George_tlc a note. I can't find a link to his old design.... They have all gone dead or become small business help sites.

 

[120mm]

View attachment 1225938

C = 4 inches
A = 1/2 inch
B = ~6 inches (7 inches outside to outside so perhaps a hair over 6" inside)

Are you sure dimension "A" is 1/2 inch, and not 3/8th inch? I'm finding a bunch of 3/8th square U bolts, but nothing in the 1/2 inch range.

 

[120mm]

3/8"-16 x 6" x 5" Hot Dip Galvanized Square Bend U-Bolt w/ 2 Nuts & Washers | Fastenal

I linked the above there, for historical purposes.