Sliders 101- How are they supposed to perform?

[SouthBostonFJ40]

As I go through the process of choosing sliders I have looked at lots of pictures and made the following observations...

Sliders come in all different shapes, some use round tubing, others use a combination of round and square tubing...

Some mirror the side steps...

Some angle upward and the side step needs to be removed...

Some angle up and outward as they go back...

Some angle outward right behind the front fender and then curve in along the rocker.

Some angle outward and stay fairly uniform in shape then curve back in at the end of the rocker...

Some protect better from rocks coming from below and others protect better from rocks and trees from the side. Which type offers the best overall protection? I would think that you'd want to keep rocks and trees as far away from your sheet metal as possible. I don't have enough wheeling experience to know what works best.

 

[Mace]

There is no "best". Only a ton of options.

If you put them under the stock step, they hang down low and can hurt you in the breakover angle (a reason to have them tilt up).

Tapering to the back makes them look like the stock steps.

Flaring out as you go back can "kick" the rear end away from rocks. Which is sometimes good, and sometimes bad (if you want to climb a rock with the rear end).

All of them should work to protect the rockers from a direct upward hit (falling off a rock).

Everything else is a matter of choice and opinion

 

[Poser]

Ask yourself this:



Will I be using the truck off road and wanting these sliders to protect the body?

Will I not be using the truck off road and these are simply for decoration?


So, Alex, which is it?

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Two things, off road and to make it easier for the kids to get in. No point in decorative sliders in my opinion.

 

[DomSmith]

Depending on your rigs set up the sliders act as a good step. I placed skateboard grip tape along the top ridge to resist people slipping when stepping on them. These have taken some big hits from rocks and held firm. I also set mine up to follow the stock body panel to help keep things off the side of the truck.

They're not magic. I bent my front right fender just in front of the slider on trip 1 after install. Trip 2 I mashed the right rear quarter panel much farther back than the sliders.

If you're not going to bend your OEM steps on the trail then leave them alone.

 

[JohnnyC]

I used to run the originals 'nurf bars' they would protect the side... However most wheeling trips they just get caught on rock... When we redid the tub we removed the nerf bars and cut the rockers up to the floor 1/4" angle iron is now protecting under the doors

I used to very rarely get caught then ... And I would bash them with little effect

Much more pleasent wheeling not getting caught ... But... It's a cut up

Often I think wouldn't it had been nice to keep running boards... But there was no way I could have gotten places with them on the north east kingdom of VT

At this point my wheeling days a VERY few and far between so maybe one day going back to running boards may be doable

Are you hard wheeling? Going to Vietnam trail type stuff? Light wheeling ?

If your planning on more hard stuff I would gofor a thicker skidplate that you can actually slide with and side bars that tuck up and remove the running board to save from damage

All that can be removed later and back to a stock look

If its really hard stuff a good skid plate and cut your rockers

 

[DSRTRDR]

in an ideal world, the sliders can handle your truck's weight on them without bending sheet metal - imagine the rocker panel sitting on a big rock without tire support

for that kind of protection, you need the sliders to connect to the frame - just bolting to the rocker panel isn't holding the weight

the OEM steps are inferior - don't ask me how I know

doesn't even show half the damage on that picture

story of my new running boards/sliders begins here:

the DSRTRDR is getting some TLC . . .

scroll down a few pages to see the result

 

[Sporty Forty]

I run sliders incorporated into brush bars at the front that protect the front guards. Have saved me from a few guards a bit as you can lean into things without worrying about damage to the front. They are bolted to a plate that has been welded onto the frame and do not touch the body work.

The turn into a step outside the standard step at the side. Eventually when the rear flares tear off I will continue over the rear wheel arch but at the moment the flares are doing okay with only on small 1" long piece that has broken.

 

[abosely]

I run sliders incorporated into brush bars at the front that protect the front guards. Have saved me from a few guards a bit as you can lean into things without worrying about damage to the front. They are bolted to a plate that has been welded onto the frame and do not touch the body work.

The turn into a step outside the standard step at the side. Eventually when the rear flares tear off I will continue over the rear wheel arch but at the moment the flares are doing okay with only on small 1" long piece that has broken.View attachment 1024353

View attachment 1024354

View attachment 1024355

What diameter is the tube? I like your setup.

Cheers, Allen

 

[darwink1]

If youre wheeling tighter trails with lots of trees the kickout type sliders help to keep the sheet metal away from them. Dont know if this would be as important on a short wheel base rig like a 40 but it worked great on my ext cab taco and 80 series.

Imop the most important part of any slider set up is how and at how many points its attached to the frame. I like welding them on since i dont really care about going back to stock.

D

 

[Sporty Forty]

What diameter is the tube? I like your setup.

Cheers, Allen

Allen,

I think it is 1 3/4" tube. Heavy walled stuff too 2.5-3mm thick. Works a treat and my 1vd-ftv powered 4 door project 40 series will be getting the same treatment for the whole length.

 

[peteinjp]

Alex,

Good questions and I have pondered the same things. One thing I'd like to see in a slider is protection that also covers the lower front fenders. Most of them seem to leave the fenders just hanging not connected to anything for support. Granted fenders are easier to replace than a rocker- none the less anything that poses a threat to the rocker obviously would pose risk to the fender as well.

Aside from just cutting the fender any thoughts from the great Mud community on that point?

P

 

[snaggletto]

I believe sliders can and should be designed for maximum functionality. This would include bottom rocker protection and side protection, a sturdy and secure jacking point, and as a step for climbing in and out. For more hardcore off roading, they also serve as a place to anchor front and rear quarter protection if desired.

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

I ended up getting 4Plus sliders from @lcwizard. As you would expect, the quality is great and they fit perfectly. The stainless steel hardware is a nice bonus. The plan is to tie them into the frame from the back side.

 

[Yellow Jacket]

Alex - do those just bolt onto the rocker or are there "legs" that attach to the frame?

 

[SouthBostonFJ40]

Alex - do those just bolt onto the rocker or are their "legs" that attach to the frame?

They just bolt to the rocker. But I will be tying them into the frame from the backside.

 

[WB8LBZ]

The previous owner of my FJ40 bought his from White Knuckle Off Road Products and welded them to the frame. I can lift the one side with a highlift jack.







Larry in El Paso

 

[DSRTRDR]

I really like my new sliders - pics start here: the DSRTRDR is getting some TLC . . .

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi all,

I ran heavy-duty custom side steps/sliders on my trail truck for years. These bolted onto the body tub. But after hitting so many boulders, trees, etc, the body tub got distorted. Switched to some custom (homemade) sliders that are welded to the frame; wish I had gom=ne that route in the first place.

Regards,

Alan

 

[1973Guppie]

decide the type of wheeling you want to do and then pick the sliders, example: rocks and need clearance then pull the stock ones and weld to the frame. If they are bolted to the body and you use them alot they will bend over time.