Is Slee the only option for sliders?

[ShottsUZJ100]

Since we're discussing Slee.....I'll second Greg's info regarding build quality. I got Slee's fist set off the line and have repainted them in spots several times. Some spots aren't round anymore...that's how bad they were hit.

I did finally bend my 80-series slider just a tad, but you wouldn't want to see where I did it. BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE

I think all of his armour is priced well. And I'd sure want to have his rear armour vs that ARB anchor.

Top-notch stuff ain't cheap. I could have bought a Revtek lift or the Donohoe/Deaver kit for my Taco. You get what you pay for. No Slee....I didn't want OME on the Taco! I got the hoes and deavs.

 

[calamaridog]

I don't know what some fabricators can do, but I seriously doubt that you can have someone build sliders that are the same levels of quality, strength, and durability that also have the same level of fit and finish as the Slee sliders that are any cheaper...

Nobody is questioning the SLEE product. It's very nice, high quality, bolt-on, etc.

This doesn't change the fact that someone may prefer to pay a local fabricator less money to build weld on sliders and not pay shipping.

In some places, this may not be an option, but where I live, there are tons of fabricators within 2 hours drive who do this sort of work, so it's not out of the question.

If I had any plans of selling my 100 I would not consider weld on sliders. I would pony up the extra cash and buy some nice bolt-on SLEE sliders.

Sliders are a fantastic investment for anyone considering wheeling their vehicle. I can hardly believe I still don't have any I should stop testing my luck

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

I should stop testing my luck

Your test score was OK in Arizona.

 

[FirstToy]

You get what you pay for.

I've seen the Slee 100 sliders in action and there is no point criticizing it's value once you see the product.
Saying that Slee is taking advantage of the market is hitting below the belt. It seems that one can never win in this business.

I dont see OBO next to his prices, they are what they are- you buy or you dont.


If you have the equipment and skill, might be the best way. Unique and cheap. Altho I've read a few guys STILL bought Slee b/c they felt it was still better than all the work to make them.

THere are many threads on this topic (try searching 80's tech too).

Ask a fabricator to duplicate Slee's work, it will be close in cost I bet. On top of that, Slee had to figure out the design you are knocking off in the first place. How long will you have to wait for the "other" slider? Slee's are probably a day away. Customer support is a 1-800 away. What about all the other stuff Slee offers for the 100? Should he go bare-bones and not develop anything? That's not good for anyone.
All that costs something.

someone had a good saying that goes something like- "Price is soon forgotten, quality is not."


Is it expensive? If you don't need them, yes. If you do, then it's more like "glad I got them and glad he had it in stock!"

 

[tabraha]

If you have a LX I think the slee bolt-ons are a no-brainer. You may get a lower price initially but once the fabricator realizes what a pain in the ass it is to work around the AHC lines, accumulaters etc... you'd have been better off with Christo's already engineered and tested solution. I like being able to bolt on a design I know has been used and abused too. It's like a security blanket I guess and worth a little more to me. Also, the slidersteps are made to an OEM fit and finish like no other slider I've seen on the market. That is a factor that also helps if the decides to review cruiser expenditures.

Also, like cdog said, if you're like me and live in a place like SC, you're screwed as far as local knowledge of issues and experience when it comes to a 100 series cruiser. There are some guys within a couple hours that have some experience with 60's but hell this thing weighs 1000 (120%) pounds more than that! No cruiserhead has EVER seen AHC before until the 100 so there again a fair amount of foreign matter to deal with. Couple that with the fact that most 4WD shops around here are jeeper specific and you are really a fish out of water.

 

[2badfjs]

GREG B:I don't know what some fabricators can do, but I seriously doubt that you can have someone build sliders that are the same levels of quality, strength, and durability that also have the same level of fit and finish as the Slee sliders that are any cheaper.

BET ME! except for finish
this is all been discused over and over :shotts: :shotts:
SLEE makes great products! thats for sure!!!
i just have to disagree with gregs statement

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

GREG B:I don't know what some fabricators can do, but I seriously doubt that you can have someone build sliders that are the same levels of quality, strength, and durability that also have the same level of fit and finish as the Slee sliders that are any cheaper.

BET ME! except for finish
this is all been discused over and over :shotts: :shotts:
SLEE makes great products! thats for sure!!!
i just have to disagree with gregs statement

Ah, the imfamous Shotts-GIF. Luv it. Thank god I wasn't beating anything.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

If you ask me Slee is a great company but is taking advantage of the lack of competition. Shop locally and you will be suprised with what you can find.

Hey Imola-have another cup of coffee!!

I know what I can find locally-NOTHING. How about in my state? NOTHING. Luke Porter or Ken Hanna could make them, but it would take 3 months and easily cost as much or more.

With Slee you are paying for the "off the shelf" availability, great design, previous testing, and excellent execution. I have wheeled with dozens of 80's (and a few 100s) with Slee sliders, and not a single compaint about the quality of the product. They are excellent. I took a nice shot on mine a Cruise Moab, and other then a bit of scratched paint, no damage and saved me $1000 right there.

I doubt competition will make them cheaper-did Hanna 80 series sliders make Slee sliders cheaper? How about the bumpers? I don't think any of us fully appreciate the effort it takes to bring a limited production item like this to the market. If it was easy, eveyone would offer something similar, but they don't. Slee has found a market niche where he can make products that we want and make a living at it at the same time. That isn't a bad thing, infact, it's the American way.

 

[REKCUT]

We make a quality product, we price it based on cost and the markup we need to stay in business. We strive to make the highest quality product that will still sell. Yes, that might put the products out of reach for some people. People can decide to buy it or not.

I don't see how that is taking advantage of the market. It might be a little frustrating when you are looking for a cheap product and none are available for your application. However we can not let that drive our decisions.

I would love to have a 6L v8 turbo diesel Toyota pickup, but hey it does not exist. But when Toyota makes one and it costs $50k, can I bitch about it because I can not afford it. No. If I want it, I buy it. Otherwise I need to be happy with my cheaper Chevy.

So we are made out to be the big bad wolf just because we decided to develop a product when no-one else has?

PS, the 100 series sliders are cheaper than some of the 80 series sliders. In the 80 market there are a number of options available. Check the competition's prices, compare apples to apples and you will see that we are all in the same ball park.

I don't see why people have no problem with a single front bumper for $800 but when it comes to sliders, they do not want to pay that for a pair. In general a bolt on bumper is easier to build that a bolt on slider. If you have not done this, you will not understand what is involved.

There are cheap sliders out there. See http://www.trail-gear.com/rocksliders.html

Those are cheap to product, probably off-shore because they have the numbers. Will they do the same thing as ours. Probably. Why are they cheaper? Fabrication costs, finishing, installation and finish work passed on to the consumer, material costs, packaging and easy of shipping etc.

So, in short, yes we take advantage of all the 100 series owners, just like we did of the 80 owners bacause we decided to start a company to cater to these people. Does that market have more money than the 17 year old Jeep CJ/YJ market, sure, and that is why we are not in that market.

For some people there will always be someone that is taking advantage of them. Furtunatelly in the free market, you can vote with your wallet. We are not arrogant, although this post might come over like that. We just know what we make and sell, what we offer as a company and we are proud of it. Is that why we charge what we do, no, we charge what we do in order to stay in business.

Anyone else notice that cruiser parts are almost always judged againts SLEE"s products. That's because you always want to judge something by the best example available. There may be alternatives to SLEE's stuff but I bet if money wasnt a factor then everyone would buy Slee products and we wouldn't need any competition. If the only complaint you ever have about your products is the price then you ought to be proud.(I have never heard of a quality issue). You are never going to win everyone over and I think that you are selling yourself short by even responding to these critics

 

[Imola Red]

hey I never meant to ruffle so many feathers. I said they make great product and are a great company. Taking advange of the market is how people stay in business and how people become successful. Good for Slee.

I didn't mean it as a knock on them it's just that not many options are talked about out there in the market and sometimes it's healthy and good to talk about options.

That's all that I meant to accomplish and that's what the original question was.

Sorry Slee if it came out like I was putting you down.

 

[ShottsUZJ100]

hey I never meant to ruffle so many feathers. I said they make great product and are a great company. Taking advange of the market is how people stay in business and how people become successful. Good for Slee.

I didn't mean it as a knock on them it's just that not many options are talked about out there in the market and sometimes it's healthy and good to talk about options.

That's all that I meant to accomplish and that's what the original question was.

Sorry Slee if it came out like I was putting you down.

SPIN! SPIN! KIDDING!

It's good to see somebody ELSE get misunderstood on this forum.

 

[Greg B]

BET ME! except for finish
this is all been discused over and over :shotts: :shotts:
SLEE makes great products! thats for sure!!!
i just have to disagree with gregs statement

Prove me wrong then. From your first comment it doesn't sound like you can deliver the same product since "finish" is part of a quality product.

This hasn't been discussed over and over in the 100 forum. You may be confusing this with another forum.

Lots of people claim to be as good as the top products for less money, but rarely do they deliver. If you can, more power to you. You have the opportunity to gain some business from other members of this forum if you can deliver on this claim.

 

[REKCUT]

To save money for the end user he ships them unpainted. I bought a pair and had them powder coated for looks. Other people want to can paint them for touch up reasons and save money. No reason to pay for a finish that some may or may not want.

 

[2badfjs]

Prove me wrong then. From your first comment it doesn't sound like you can deliver the same product since "finish" is part of a quality product.

This hasn't been discussed over and over in the 100 forum. You may be confusing this with another forum.

Lots of people claim to be as good as the top products for less money, but rarely do they deliver. If you can, more power to you. You have the opportunity to gain some business from other members of this forum if you can deliver on this claim.

sorry if "finish" is my only downfall
but if you wheel your rig as hard as you can, then powdercoating is'nt a issue.
but if you want your 100 to as pretty as it can be,then buy the powdercoat.

BTW, the "finish" has nothing to do with how strong or how well the slider is going to protect your rig. which was your original statement,and why i responded.
they can be, and they are being made as strong if not stronger.

Q: This hasn't been discussed over and over in the 100 forum. You may be confusing this with another forum

doesnt matter about what forum we are in, we're talking about how well something is made.

they way i see it, if you're driving a 100, then most SHOULD be able to afford whatever they want.

i'm a poor parts guy who's offering a great product (for certian rigs) at a great price.
and able to modifiy and change my design to those who ask.
just trying to help my brothers out!!!!

SLEE runs a top notch outfit and i have the ut-most respect for what he's done for cruiserheads and the community......keep it up!!!
maybe someday,someone will bring me a 100 to build a set

 

[Greg B]

sorry if "finish" is my only downfall
but if you wheel your rig as hard as you can, then powdercoating is'nt a issue.
but if you want your 100 to as pretty as it can be,then buy the powdercoat.

You assume that because I care about the way my rig looks that I don't wheel it. You talk as if wanting your rig to look good is a bad thing. I want it all, strength, durability, and good fit and finish. That's why I like Slee's products. I don't have to compromise.

BTW, the "finish" has nothing to do with how strong or how well the slider is going to protect your rig. which was your original statement,and why i responded.

That wasn't my original statement; read it again. Fit and finish was only one part of my statement. Quit taking things out of context to support your claim.

they can be, and they are being made as strong if not stronger.

You haven't even made a single set for a 100 yet, how would we know how strong they are.

Q: This hasn't been discussed over and over in the 100 forum. You may be confusing this with another forum

doesnt matter about what forum we are in, we're talking about how well something is made.

Sure it does when you make the claim that I'm beating a dead horse.

they way i see it, if you're driving a 100, then most SHOULD be able to afford whatever they want.

Again, you say this like its a bad thing. Why would I invest all this money into my rig and then not protect it as best I can.

i'm a poor parts guy who's offering a great product (for certian rigs) at a great price.
and able to modifiy and change my design to those who ask.
just trying to help my brothers out!!!!

And I'm not faulting you for that. I admire anyone willing to do that. I just don't see any product being offered yet. I just see claims being made with no product to support it. I can call Slee and have some sliders in a few days for my 100 that are bullet-proof. Can I get the same thing if I call you? See what I'm saying? You won't ever hear me fault anyone for building a quality product. I just don't see anyone else offering a slider for the 100 and if they did, I doubt their price will be far off of Slee's if they are built to the same standards. Again, prove me wrong, I dare you.

SLEE runs a top notch outfit and i have the ut-most respect for what he's done for cruiserheads and the community......keep it up!!!
maybe someday,someone will bring me a 100 to build a set

I agree with you on Slee Off-Road. If you want to sell sliders to the 100 owners, step up and build some. Don't wait on someone to bring you a 100. Offer someone near you a discount to use their rig if you're serious about building sliders for the 100.

 

[2badfjs]

GREG, come on. a sliders a slider no matter what rig it's goin on.(as far as being made by the same company)
i'm sure that SLEE didnt make his 60 sliders any LESS stronger than he's making his 100 series, do you?
it doesnt matter that i havent built any 100 sliders,my 60,62 and 80's will all be as strong as each other. it's all about quality control.

q:
You assume that because I care about the way my rig looks that I don't wheel it. You talk as if wanting your rig to look good is a bad thing. I want it all, strength, durability, and good fit and finish. That's why I like Slee's products. I don't have to compromise

didnt mean to insult you...sorry

dare i?
Q: I just don't see anyone else offering a slider for the 100 and if they did, I doubt their price will be far off of Slee's if they are built to the same standards. Again, prove me wrong, I dare you.

how bout the 80's sliders for under $600.
maybe the 100's are down the road

Q:I agree with you on Slee Off-Road. If you want to sell sliders to the 100 owners, step up and build some. Don't wait on someone to bring you a 100. Offer someone near you a discount to use their rig if you're serious about building sliders for the 100.

i usually do give the original rig the discount (it's the only way to get them to my house )
FJben drives from greeley to castle rock to let me work off his 80

greg, are you coming out to the rising sun swap meet thingy in august?
i'll buy you a beer and we can lay under rigs and look at sliders

jim

 

[REZARF]

Add up the cost of one rocker/door dent repair, restraighten, repaint and you are sitting WAY over 800 bucks...

I just got back from Moab this week and any 60, 80, or 100 without protection would be visiting a body shop for LOTS more than an 800 bill.

It doesn't make sense to spend so much $ on building a rig and not protect it

Thats why I am calling 2badfj's... since I drive a 40.

just my .02

Rezarf <><

 

[cruiserdan]

I can't stand it any longer........


It's ludicrus to piss and moan about what ammounts to 200 bucks for something that you are going to put on A 60,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE......

One smashed door shell will set you back about 3 grand at the body shop...

 

[spressomon]

I can't stand it any longer........


It's ludicrus to piss and moan about what ammounts to 200 bucks for something that you are going to put on A 60,000 DOLLAR VEHICLE......

One smashed door shell will set you back about 3 grand at the body shop...

Good chime-in Dan



I don't get the whining either...sheesh its a free world...go buy whatever you want from and where-ever you want. Berating guys like Christo for charging a fair buck for all the design, construction and real world performance they provide is stupid! ...we're damn lucky IMO we have guys/companies like Hanna, Slee, etc...GUYS LIKE THESE SUPPORT THE SPORT AND HELP MOVE IT FORWARD!




Or if you think you can't afford any LC part just stop driving it for a week and you've paid for the sliders or whatever in saved gas costs




FYI...when I built my sliders a year ago I ended up with over $300 in materials and Line-X...and steel has gone up since then!

 

[calamaridog]

I think this thread is funny.

Imola Red should be more diplomatic and have a better understanding of business. And yet, he has a point. I'm sure he's not the only person who has thought of a cheaper option than SLEE.

You don't have to wait 3 months for someone to design sliders if you take your truck down to their shop Some people may even give you a discount if they decide to make a jig so they can make more...

My weld-on hybrid style sliders will be made out of 2.5" .188 square and 2" .188 round. I plan on paying $600 installed...