Does it make economical sense to build your own sliders?! (1 Viewer)

[mercfan]

I've read lots of threads on building them and I would be willing to dive in - I have some basic skills and could get some help with assembly and welding locally. I never came across any topic that discusses the cost of the raw materials - does anyone have any estimates for that?! Is it even worth doing it yourself these days?!

 

[wspastorbryan]

There's a guy here in Phoenix that sells them on Craigslist for 200, not sure what kind of metal he uses. But at the price companies charge for 80 stuff... it always makes sense to do it yourself.

 

[brian]

if you have the skills to do the work yourself, as well as most of the basic tools, then yes it is much cheaper to buy the material and do it yourself.
however to just buy the material, and then have to pay somebody to do most of the work, then most likely it would equal out or even be slightly more to diy.
most people would be seriously shocked to see the difference in the price of the raw material vs the finshed products on most 80series add on stuff.

 

[kidglove13]

Look at 4x Inovations kit the out side rails are already done all you have to do is fab up the legs and weld it all up it was pretty easy and they are made of DOM and are pretty beefy for about $250 for the kit
Pretty hard to beat
I have pounded on mine for the last 2 years or so and they have held up great.

 

[mercfan]

Look at 4x Inovations kit...

I've looked at their site - the one for the FJ80 is $500 - already made. Did you purchase one for a 4Runner and modified it?!

 

[40TUDE]

if you don't put any dollar value on your free time then yes... I am building mine this weekend

 

[kidglove13]

I dont remember which ones I got but they are the long ones and all I had to do was make up the custom legs for it
Mine are welded straight to the frame, but you could make them bolt on Im sure
Plus I have no cat protection either which made mounting a little easier, I dont care if I crush my cats

 

[cartercd]

I made my own - not only to save money, but I enjoy projects like this. My cost was:
- $188 for Metal Tech mounting kit. I don't see this on their website anymore, but they might still be available. The kit consists of laser cut frame-mounting plates, U-bolts, and mounting hardware. Very nice stuff and saves you a lot of time and effort.
- $150 for steel
- $50 for paint/prep

 

[wspastorbryan]

I dont remember which ones I got but they are the long ones and all I had to do was make up the custom legs for it
Mine are welded straight to the frame, but you could make them bolt on Im sure
Plus I have no cat protection either which made mounting a little easier, I dont care if I crush my cats

It doesn't make sense the put up cat protection. Get a magnaflow 3-way cat, it's super small, doesn't throw codes and you can tuck it and not worry about it. Plus, at $100, you can sell your stock ones and end up doing well. It's 2.5 inch on the exhaust.

 

[mercfan]

$188 for Metal Tech mounting kit. I don't see this on their website anymore, but they might still be available.

I'll try to google the name but if you should find this kit let me know please.

James

 

[DiscoveredLC]

I cant remember how much it cost me to build my sliders...

I'd say around 350 maybe... I built them with all brand new steel, and the tubing was all DOM, so that didnt help the cost.

Protect your cat, just letting it hang out in the open is just asking for more headaches down the road...

 

[AussieRedneck]

I buy all my metal at the local scrap yard. My rocker guards probably have about $80 in them. I have pivetted off of them and will not hesitate to slide on them. I have also jacked on them. Plus, I am recycling.
AR

 

[Rwhat]

if you don't put any dollar value on your free time then yes... I am building mine this weekend

Thats what i'm saying. You have to figure out "free time" versus money. If your doing a kit its not bad. However if your your going custom IMHO its not worth it unless you already have the tools and time.

 

[kidglove13]

X2 to build sliders from scratch is a pretty long project
Plus just buying the right materials, especially if you use DOM or what ever you use can be costly alone
Plus there is alot of guess work for sure
I am all about building your own stuff but there is a limit
You cant go wrong with a kit
The hardest part is getting it all dialed in before you weld it all together, alot of put it up take down

 

[lt1fire]

for some reason anything that says 80's series land cruiser seems to be made out of gold..... I still can't believe aftermarket parts are still this high 21 years after they started to be sold...... making anything for an 80 yourself is cost effective

 

[Sparkie247]

The margin that most of us see as "profit" on the manufactured products is really paying for their education and experience. If you think of it that way, you can figure out what your education is worth if you do it yourself. The reality is that most 80 owners' time is worth more than the savings and more than we value the experience. I tend to jump into these things because I already have all the gear. (Benders, welders, tube jig, etc.) I also really get a kick out of doing this sort of stuff, but if I had to do the math and figure it out I would only be paying myself a couple bucks an hour to do fab work.

Bottom line: you do it because you want to; not because it makes sense.

 

[mercfan]

Metal Tech mounting kit...

Is this MetalTech in Longmont, CO?! NOt sure...

Anyway, I found these kits - maybe a good place to start.... not sure the gussets/brackets are stout enough for the 80 but the bent tubes are attractive....:
Off Road Store: Trail-Gear Rock Slider Gusset Kits, Trail-Gear Trail Armor, 1200071K

 

[fourtrax]

I built mine, had about 350 in materials buy the time I finished. I had a buch of hours in the bending and welding (made a couple jigs for the brackets) but, mainly I took several features from a several differnt sliders and Made them the way I wanted them. I also enjoyed building them as much I enjoy beating them on the trail.

 

[kidglove13]

Is this MetalTech in Longmont, CO?! NOt sure...

Anyway, I found these kits - maybe a good place to start.... not sure the gussets/brackets are stout enough for the 80 but the bent tubes are attractive....:
Off Road Store: Trail-Gear Rock Slider Gusset Kits, Trail-Gear Trail Armor, 1200071K

You can make your own gussets if you want to
If it is welded right it will be good enough
Thats no different then what came with my 4x Inovation sliders and I have beat my sliders hard

 

[1FZj80]

I buy all my metal at the local scrap yard. My rocker guards probably have about $80 in them. I have pivetted off of them and will not hesitate to slide on them. I have also jacked on them. Plus, I am recycling.
AR

I did the same. Most metal suppliers sell their scrap for pennies for the pound. I made a set for <$100. The most expensive part is the bolts/hardware and a few cans of paint. If you have the time and tools it is definitely worth the cost to build your own, however, buying small quantities of steel at retail can be expensive. Go the recycled route.