Cat protection sounds like a necessity, but I'm concerned with using Hanna's protective plates in the Midwest. They look like dirt/mud/grass/salt/rust magnets. If the holes were a little bigger/more prevalent, and the lips weren't so large, and/or it wasn't nestled up there so tight (yeah, I know, some people consider that good...) then I'd be more enthusiastic. Junk's idea looks more Midwestern-friendly.
Kenton
[quote author=Gumby link=board=2;threadid=11290;start=msg102870#msg102870 date=1076462189]
Junk's right ( ???!!!!) about paying for the cats. I wheeled without the cat protection last time and now have a catalytic low efficiency code and a rattle that suggests busted up expensive parts.
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[quote author=kenton link=board=2;threadid=11290;start=msg149394#msg149394 date=1083558110]
Hanna's protective plates in the Midwest. They look like dirt/mud/grass/salt/rust magnets. If the holes were a little bigger/more prevalent, and the lips weren't so large, and/or it wasn't nestled up there so tight (yeah, I know, some people consider that good...) then I'd be more enthusiastic. Junk's idea looks more Midwestern-friendly.
Kenton
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Yes, I agree, although I have not had seen Hanna sliders personally, it seems like a lawn sprinkler under Junk's setup would slowly wash all the mud off whereas with the Hanna sliders it seems so tight that the mud would just pack and repack in between the cats and the cat plate? Probably with the Hanna sliders, you let a lawn sprinkler soften it up then get in there with a nozzle and really force it from the cracks and crevices, still more of a PITA. Another thought is that although cats are indeed internal combustion engines that rely on heat, with a good packing of mud and crap around them, I wonder if there is any negative heat or humidity effect on the lifespan of the cat? With Junk's setup, I would think that there would be less negative heat or humidity effect. As I dick around with fabricating the exhaust pipe skid plate for my rig, I am thinking all this through. The last time I went mild mudding ( I'm in Colorado, not much mud ) I was amazed at how stubbornly the mud around the exhaust and around the cats stays. It takes a soft steady soaking of water to get it gone. Damn IH8MUD!!! I've been thinking about an angled 'mud shield' in front of the skid plate and having everything in the rear of the skid plate open. I've also been thinking about an approach similar to Junk's for the cats but the problem with that is that since the pipe crosses under the frame, the two tubes would have to take triangular shape to totally protect the pipe, then, depending on terrain there is a good chance of still whacking that pipe somewhere. I've also been thinking of a simple flat skid going from the slider across the frame and then supported on each side by triangular braces similar to the ones Slee uses for the TC skid plate. Who knows, its all imagineering. Anyway, I have heard that the Hanna sliders are super quality so I'm not dissing them or anyone who has them, I'm just thinking out loud along with Kenton and trying to apply those thoughts to my fabrication project as well.
[quote author=Greddy0 link=board=2;threadid=11290;start=msg103065#msg103065 date=1076477862]
Anybody make sliders with square tubes anymore? Looking for something like Slee's 2nd gen sliders. Need a solid step so the wife will ok the 2.5" lift
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[quote author=CDN_Cruiser link=board=2;threadid=11290;start=msg149517#msg149517 date=1083591240]
Amen brother, I hear you and second the vote!
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I was lucky to get the last of two or three sets of Slee step sliders and after running with them for two months or so, I have to say that those are are at the top of the list of top mods made so far. I think my wife loves them even more than I do!!! They make it super simple for her to get in and out. They also make it super simple for GrandParents to get in and out and for me that is super important. Of course, having a serious set of sliders is major peace of mind for me when wheeling. So far I have not had to remove the outer removable step and I have had the opportunity to crunch down completely hard on some tree trunks and frozen earth the last time I went wheeling with some friends. Those sliders are super strong!!! Christo stated that more can be made but he wanted advance orders as I recall. Anyway, they are seriously at the top three on the list of top mods, and they have super high WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor)!!! HTH
I agree - I currently have the running boards and they are a must have for wife (now VERY pregnant) and kids! I think the square style is a good compromise as I'm slowly destroying the running boards.
I just fired an email to Christo. When did you get your steps from him? Was it a special order? Do you have pics on your truck?
I got the slee step sliders three months ago, they were not special order, they were just the last of two or three sets. I drove up, got them, drove down, took a month to chop off the old custom exhaust and fabricate into the new custom exhaust, then put them on. They are so well designed, the are so strong, the welds are spectacular, the powdercoat is perfect, and like I wrote, the wife just LOVES EM!!! I highly highly highly recommend them. HTH
[quote author=kenton link=board=2;threadid=11290;start=msg149394#msg149394 date=1083558110]
Cat protection sounds like a necessity, but I'm concerned with using Hanna's protective plates in the Midwest. They look like dirt/mud/grass/salt/rust magnets. If the holes were a little bigger/more prevalent, and the lips weren't so large, and/or it wasn't nestled up there so tight (yeah, I know, some people consider that good...) then I'd be more enthusiastic. Junk's idea looks more Midwestern-friendly.
Kenton
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FWIW, I've had the Hanna Quality sliders on my '93 for a couple of years now. Actually it's been very easy to flush any mud or sand from the cat protection by pointing the hose at the holes in the plate. Plus, it does not get as packed up as you might think. Mostly I get sand in there from the dunes, but that sh#t gets everywhere.
Another tip regardless of the type of slider you choose is to open up the little vents on the stock cat shield. It surrounds both cats on the 93/94. I almost removed it completly before putting the sliders on. Instead I just used a screw driver blade to pry open the vent holes. Several were plugged or smashed shut. Since installing the sliders these little holes remain open and clean. Bottom line, even without sliders you need to flush mud out of the stock cat shield.
With the help of my 12 year old son and a service jack, I got my Hanna sliders installed today I was a little worried about doing the install without another buddy to help due to weight of these babies.
I must say they went in just fine. Followed Ken's advice and they fit perfect. Can't wait to get them out on the trail. The cat protection is great as well.
Also had a great time doing this with my 12 year old helping.
