ARCHIVE Owl Expedition Step Sliders

[Ramathorn15]

Hey all!

I've been wanting to make these for the 100 for a few years now but have been too busy. I finally found a window of time to knock them out. We used to make a similar design for budget wrangler builds at the old shop I worked at many years ago. Those were welded on though.

These guys are totally bolt on, work with ahc, and are as strong as possible. I've just finished up the two sides as prototypes (not as clean as I didn't spend much time on making them look nice) and building the jigs for reproduction. Once I have a fresh set off the jigs, I'll post more photos of the legs and how they bolt on.

For now, it's a simple yet effective and cost saving design. The frame mounting plates are 1/4" steel that sandwiches the frame using 3x 1/2" grade 8 bolts at each mounting location. The legs are 2x2x.188" square tubing and the main body is 2x6x.188" rectangle tubing. There is gusseting on each leg to really stiffen up the design and the way they mount doesn't let them move up into the body after being hit.

The goal is to be under $700 including shipping in the continental US. I likely won't offer powder coating as I think the primary audience for these are people trying to save some cash on gear and will likely want to spray paint. I also don't want to deal with messed up coatings in shipping.

Let me know what you guys think. I know most of us already have sliders, but I'm hoping to capture new 100 series buyers and feedback is always welcome.

 

[pili]

I like! They look pretty under the radar for sliders. Any idea on the weight for each side?

 

[Ramathorn15]

I like! They look pretty under the radar for sliders. Any idea on the weight for each side?

Thanks! I was trying to make them as sleek as possible. I may offer a kickout in the rear in the future if the demand is there.

They weigh right at 70# per side including all hardware. From my research that's right in line with the other options. They would be lighter than other options if I ditched the 1/4 backing plates and bolts and went with ubolts, but I think the extra handful of lbs is worth the added strength.

 

[MJK]

Perfect! I'm interested.

 

[Ca lc]

These are exactly what I have been looking for! Especially at that price point.

it’s hard to tell from the pics is their enough lip to help kids get up into the backseat?

I know that’s not what most are looking for in sliders but it’s a big factor for me.

 

[Ramathorn15]

These are exactly what I have been looking for! Especially at that price point.

it’s hard to tell from the pics is their enough lip to help kids get up into the backseat?

I know that’s not what most are looking for in sliders but it’s a big factor for me.

There's definitely enough to stand on. I was hoping it would be a better step, but I couldn't bring them out any further as they need to cover the pinch weld. A rear kickout would help, but I don't want to invest the time and expense into that until I know there's a demand.

 

[pjess50]

These look great, I'm interested.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

I like the overall concept and price point. My concern is that they don't appear to stick out far enough to protect much other than the pinch weld and rocker. From your photos, it looks like most of the door, fender, and quarter panel could incur considerable damage. Even without a kickout, the MT, WKO, MC, TG, etc. sliders stick out far enough to deflect most side hits in off-camber situations and also allow pivoting around rocks and trees without body damage.

 

[Ramathorn15]

I like the overall concept and price point. My concern is that they don't appear to stick out far enough to protect much other than the pinch weld and rocker. From your photos, it looks like most of the door, fender, and quarter panel could incur considerable damage. Even without a kickout, the MT, WKO, MC, TG, etc. sliders stick out far enough to deflect most side hits in off-camber situations and also allow pivoting around rocks and trees without body damage.

View attachment 2540327View attachment 2540328

These guys stick out as far as the MT without the kickout. As you can see, I have a decent bit of damage and that's even with sliders on. They never really protect the doors, only really the rocker.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Love the factory look.

 

[Ramathorn15]

Here's an old shot with my MT sliders. You can see it leaves the same area vulnerable without the kickout.

 

[Zooguy]

I like the overall concept and price point. My concern is that they don't appear to stick out far enough to protect much other than the pinch weld and rocker. From your photos, it looks like most of the door, fender, and quarter panel could incur considerable damage. Even without a kickout, the MT, WKO, MC, TG, etc. sliders stick out far enough to deflect most side hits in off-camber situations and also allow pivoting around rocks and trees without body damage.

View attachment 2540327View attachment 2540328

I must ask ... what front mud flaps are those?

 

[AlpineAccess]

I must ask ... what front mud flaps are those?

 

[Ramathorn15]

I must ask ... what front mud flaps are those?

Lol. I'll be doing another group buy early 2021

 

[BigBlueTLC]

I like this design. Interested!

 

[JunkCrzr89]

As you can see, I have a decent bit of damage and that's even with sliders on. They never really protect the doors, only really the rocker.

Here's an old shot with my MT sliders. You can see it leaves the same area vulnerable without the kickout.

View attachment 2540355

Then perhaps you could widen yours a bit and be the first to provide a 100-series specific slider with better protection and deflection capabilities. After all, we wouldn’t have Land Cruisers if Toyota hadn’t implemented the “imitate and improve” approach!

 

[coreyaday]

Hey all!

I've been wanting to make these for the 100 for a few years now but have been too busy. I finally found a window of time to knock them out. We used to make a similar design for budget wrangler builds at the old shop I worked at many years ago. Those were welded on though.

These guys are totally bolt on, work with ahc, and are as strong as possible. I've just finished up the two sides as prototypes (not as clean as I didn't spend much time on making them look nice) and building the jigs for reproduction. Once I have a fresh set off the jigs, I'll post more photos of the legs and how they bolt on.

For now, it's a simple yet effective and cost saving design. The frame mounting plates are 1/4" steel that sandwiches the frame using 3x 1/2" grade 8 bolts at each mounting location. The legs are 2x2x.188" square tubing and the main body is 2x6x.188" rectangle tubing. There is gusseting on each leg to really stiffen up the design and the way they mount doesn't let them move up into the body after being hit.

The goal is to be under $700 including shipping in the continental US. I likely won't offer powder coating as I think the primary audience for these are people trying to save some cash on gear and will likely want to spray paint. I also don't want to deal with messed up coatings in shipping.

View attachment 2540218

View attachment 2540220

View attachment 2540219

Let me know what you guys think. I know most of us already have sliders, but I'm hoping to capture new 100 series buyers and feedback is always welcome.

Looks great - I’m interested!

 

[crolison]

Love the design, I’m using 2x6s for my tundra sliders.
I may be interested in a set, and pictures of the sliders with doors open. I sell sliders to the wife as protection but also a side step to help get kids in and out, etc.

 

[graveling]

Looks great! Definitely interested.

 

[abuck99]

Cool offer- target price point shipped is in the ball park. I like the 2x6 boxed tube, makes for a good step. A kick out would be helpful on tight trail, but for those buyers that wont see tight trail use and simply want quality rocker protection at this price point I think it looks good.