Flares/sliders/trim pieces/flaps....

[Kaderabek]

I removed my running boards, rear mud flaps, and that trim hardware attached to the front fender flares this weekend. For the time being, I intend to leave the fender flares in place. I have sliders on the way from Slee, but have a couple of questions.

First, those of you who trimmed the trim piece on the front flare to accept the slider, is there any problem with the slider flexing (under extreme duress) and pushing the flare up/off? I had Slee sliders on my 62, so I know they're rock solid, but I'd just like to avoid damaging the flares any further (popped one off two weekends ago, ordered the hardware to put it back on).

Second, and this is why I ask the first question as well, with the mud flaps off I think the truck has an unfinished appearance. Specifically the small hardware that attached the flap to the flare is still there, looks like I lost something. Have you all trimmed the actual flap off the hardware and reattached the remnant to solve this issue? This is the reason I was thinking to re-attach that front trim piece as well. I'd rather not cut the piece off the flare.

Thanks,

TJK

 

[sleeoffroad]

Todd, you can either trim the running board piece and if you lleave it about 1/2" short of the slider, you have no problem with it getting pushed up. Or you can cut a notch in some mud flaps. Or you can wait for our flare caps that we are working on producing.

 

[Kaderabek]

Thanks. I'll bolt the sliders on and scheme from there. Meanwhile it sure is hard to get in and out. About broke my neck when I put my foot down on the non-existent running board this morning. Whoah...!

TJK

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

LOL, I have the opposite problem. I removed my running boards last week, but I still go to jump over them when I get in and out. Once I finish, I wonder to myself why I just jumped in the truck from a foot away as opposed to just stepping in. LOL

Arya "6'3" and no use for running boards" Ebrahimi

 

[Kaderabek]

5'11" with severe nerve damage in my spine and right leg. Loved my running boards....

TJK

 

[dclee]

Put strips of skateboard tape on the outriggers of Christo's sliders! Works great for steps (except when your wife tries to get out, forgets about the outriggers, and tears up the backs of her legs on said skateboard tape as she slides to the ground...).

 

[MoJ]

Or you can wait for our flare caps that we are working on producing.

Got a ballpark time for the caps?

 

[Kaderabek]

Put strips of skateboard tape on the outriggers of Christo's sliders! Works great for steps (except when your wife tries to get out, forgets about the outriggers, and tears up the backs of her legs on said skateboard tape as she slides to the ground...).

My fondest memory of the Slee sliders on my 62 was the day my three year old son got wedged in them. Tough to explain that one to mom....

TJK

 

[sleeoffroad]

Actually there is a better 3M tape that you can use. More rubbery and the same non-slip characteristics. Not sure on the part number, but I posted in a previous tread.

Timeline on caps, not sure. Have to get those caster plates out first

 

[Kaderabek]

Hmmmm.... Slee website shows sliders come with non-slip tape.

TJK

 

[Beowulf]

>> Have to get those caster plates out first <<

Yes, please.

-B-

 

[ryanjl]

I've got the 3M rubbery stuff on mine. It's good because it works well when the bars are wet or your shoe treads are filled with snow.

The only problem with the 3M stuff that I've found is you have to cut the strips thin (.75"). If you cut them thicker like I initially did (2"), the rubber portion wants to return to it's orginal flat state, causing it to delaminate from the adhesive.

I just put the tread on for the womenfolk, however. I'm 6' 5" and find it easy to jump in and out of mine without stepping on anything. I've only got a 2.5" lift and 285 tires, though.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Hmmmm.... Slee website shows sliders come with non-slip tape.

TJK

Uhm, nope, some like it some hate it. So we do not include it.

 

[concretejungle]

Timeline on caps, not sure. Have to get those caster plates out first

YES! PLEASE!!!!

 

[Kaderabek]

Uhm, nope, some like it some hate it. So we do not include it.

Stop the presses!

Kidding.

TJK

 

[NorCalDoug]

I'm not sure how long it'll last, but when I had the bedliner sprayed on my rig, the guy sprayed my sliders too. It provide much better grip than the smooth metal did. The texture's not bad either. Mine's sprayed on top and bottom -- the bottom won't last long once the sliders get some use again, but, if I can, I'm going to try to save the stuff that's on top.

BTW, I never had a problem with the sliders (I have Christo's too) pushing the flares, but I did have a problem with the ARB front bumper doing that -- the DS front corner of the ARB slammed up into the flare causing it to buckle.

 

[Kaderabek]

Yeah, noticed the clearance over there, wondered about that. Might just have to yank 'em.

Photos of your sliders?

TJK

 

[sleeoffroad]

3M Safety Walk Traction Systems. I have the brochure, but no part number.

 

[NorCalDoug]

...Photos of your sliders?
TJK

Here's a couple -- resolution kinda sucks tho.

 

[Kaderabek]

Very nice.

TJK

(And thanks, Christo, I'll track that product down.)