Slee skid plates with MetalTech Sliders

[CandyPants]

So a few folks have asked about fitting Slee skids with Metaltech sliders. I pulled the trigger on the skids last week when they went on sale and already had sliders on the truck. I thought I'd just start a new thread on how that worked out.

So, first, all the work was done by ACC in Atlanta. I am in Houston, but the truck is in ATL and on it's way to me next week.

The long and the short of it is that they don't fit together without modification of the sliders. The sliders fit over the frame with 3 ubolt type attachments (front, middle rear) as seen here:

However, the middle skid plate has to fit flush against the frame, thus making the middle attachment point on the sliders impossible without some modification. So, ACC cut and modified the center bracket and welded the slider onto the frame to allow for the fitment of the skid. As seen here:

and here:

And, VOILA:

 

[tarmacblack]

It looks like you could just notch the skid plate at the u-bolt location as well if you wanted to maintain the removable "bolt-on" functionality of the sliders.

How do they work with the Slee Sliders, they also use u-bolts, are the skids pre-notched for the slee bolt on sliders?

 

[nakman]

It looks like you could just notch the skid plate at the u-bolt location as well if you wanted to maintain the removable "bolt-on" functionality of the sliders.

How do they work with the Slee Sliders, they also use u-bolts, are the skids pre-notched for the slee bolt on sliders?

It's the middle slider outrigger that's the difference. The MT ones are further towards the front of the truck, so they interfere with the skid. The Slee sliders' center outrigger is further towards the back of the truck, so it's behind the skid.

Which one's better? one is bullet proof, the other stops bullets.

 

[CandyPants]

It looks like you could just notch the skid plate at the u-bolt location as well if you wanted to maintain the removable "bolt-on" functionality of the sliders.

I would think so. But the skids were so clean and straight and fit so nicely, it seemed cleaner to change the slider a bit. I'll never take them off anyway. I also wonder if a notch in the side of the skid wouldn't catch on things?

 

[farinvail]

that looks excellent.

 

[Nottajeep]

K9- It looks like you have a good fix. I wonder if MT or Slee has any feeback into this?

 

[2000UZJ]

I see a E30 2 cars over, is the LX still at ACC? If so, I'll be down there tomorrow checking it out



P.S: I'll be taking my Canon T1I over for some IronMan VS ARB bumper comparisons if I can make it over.

 

[sleeoffroad]

K9- It looks like you have a good fix. I wonder if MT or Slee has any feeback into this?

Our skid obviously fit with out sliders. I am not sure where the exact location is of the foot with reference to the belly pan. If it is behind the area where the belly pan acts as a cross member then the notch could be made, since it would mean cutting single thickness material. However from looking at Nakman's sliders when his truck was in the shop, I doubt the U bolt has enough width to go over the bottom lip of the belly plate where it bolts to the frame. I would rather just see a hole drilled for the U bolt to pass through than the flange cut completely due to loss of strength on the overall design.

 

[Nottajeep]

Christo- I am wanting to buy some of your Slee skid plates. Are you willing to modify a set to fit the MT sliders for me?
Or, maybe MT could adjust the location of the middle foot ?


Anyone near Slee's shop with a set of MT sliders on?

 

[Bismarck]

Christo- I am wanting to buy some of your Slee skid plates. Are you willing to modify a set to fit the MT sliders for me?
Or, maybe MT could adjust the location of the middle foot ?

Anyone near Slee's shop with a set of MT sliders on?

Will be in a week or two hopefully.

 

[nakman]

..Anyone near Slee's shop with a set of MT sliders on?

Yes, and I just was. Read Christo's post again.. or when you call to order your skids he can break it down for you further. We had a long discussion about the differences, so I know he knows what's up!

 

[Nottajeep]

Yeah, I know he has seen the MT sliders... just wondering if he could modify a belly pan on someone's MT slider hundy for fitment.

I was speaking in reference to this quote from Christo- "I would rather just see a hole drilled for the U bolt to pass through than the flange cut completely due to loss of strength on the overall design."

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Looks like about 5 minutes with a jig saw and some touch up paint.

 

[1loudLX]

I believe the modifying should be done by the end user, or at their local shop. I dont see the incentive for a shop to modify their time-tested product to mate up with a competitors. Something like drilling a hole for the u-bolt is something so precise it needs to be done on the vehicle it's going on, not a similar one.

 

[Nottajeep]

It would be good to confirm a fit before laying down a "G". I'm just saying...

 

[1loudLX]

First post in this thread confirms it can be made to work.
I'm just saying...

 

[CandyPants]

It would be good to confirm a fit before laying down a "G". I'm just saying...

I guess I don't understand what you are worried about? You have a few options here. Modify the slider like I did, modify the skid by drilling or cutting to allow for the middle bracket and bolt, or buy skids and sliders that match.

 

[sleeoffroad]

Christo- I am wanting to buy some of your Slee skid plates. Are you willing to modify a set to fit the MT sliders for me?
Or, maybe MT could adjust the location of the middle foot ?


Anyone near Slee's shop with a set of MT sliders on?

Probably best done with on the truck with parts to be installed. Otherwise we will have to notch pretty big to allow for variances.

It is going to be a case of bolt the skidplate on, bolt the slider on, then mark the location to be cut. Remove skid, cut the notch, install slider, install belly pan. The option to drill the hole is not going to work currently since the span on the MT u bolt is not big enough to accommodate the material thickness of the flange.
So I am pretty sure you have to notch the slider.


Pretty sure it will miss the crossmember support otherwise the u-bolt would not be able to go around the frame.

Just notch this part as indicated in this hi-tech drawing.

 

[Nottajeep]

Christo- thanks for your feedback. I am sure this will work. I will be placing my order tomorrow.

 

[Nottajeep]

MT sliders and Slee skid plates = unstoppable hundy.
Big thanks to Butch (mud name: Texican) at Baker Tire for helping me get this installed.

300lbs of steel now being carried with me everywhere, but it's in a low center of gravity. Once I add the rear bumper and 33" mud tires the regear will be a must.