Took POS running boards off! Cats exposed!

[DRTDuck]

Not much technical content here, but, Wow, once I took the running boards off, in prep for some sliders, I was amazed at how exposed the cats and pipe directly after them are.

I don't do a great deal of hard core off-roading (rocks, etc) but I can't imagine doing sliders without cat protection.

If you don't have cat protection on your sliders, how do you guys keep from bashing them on rocks, and especially the pipe that loops down directly behind them?

Now I'm afraid to go over rough RR tracks without a spotter!

 

[ryanjl]

Most quality sliders, i.e. Christo's, Hanna, etc. offer cat protection.

Here is a picture of the Slee-slider's protection:

This picture is actually of the 2nd generation sliders, but the protection is the same as the current ones.

Hanna has something similar, but with the addition of a vented 'skid-plate' that covers the entire underside of the cats.

Even though it looks less substantial, I haven't had any problem with Christo's design, and I've heard the same from others who have tested it more than I have.

 

[mabrodis]

Congrats on taking the steps off, good 1st step!

Yes the cats are very exposed, no more so after removing the steps than before, but now you can see them and realize it.

For sliders you want a good bit of metal under the cats, since that is a prime place to hit things (not far behind the front tire, etc), so you want something strong. I have Slee's sliders and they are great, I have beat the crap out of them, dropped off so many rocks onto things and had it slam so hard I got a headache, and was afriad to look, but no damage...

<- That pic (avatar) is resting solidly on the sliders (yes stuck), however that was a slow grind, not a slam.

The exhaust pipe that ducks under the frame is a huge problem and very smart of you to look at that. There aren't alot of better approaches, you can put on a custom exhaust and route that pipe somewhere else, either along the outside till getting near the rear tire, then duck in, or inbetween the frame and body, none of these are perfect solutions however. I have contemplated making a skidplate for that piece, so you could atleast drag the vehicle over something, currently it would catch/rip very easily. I bashed mine many times, when you push up you rip all the rubber exhaust mounts too, so then the whole rear exhaust just kinda bounces around, that's annoying. You can wheel with that pipe in it's stock location but just be careful, remember where things are under the vehicle so be more cautious about hitting things on the passenger side than the driver's side (tough to do when you normally can't see that side as well).

Good luck, and don't worry, if you smash that piece you'll just be joining the cool club..

 

[NorCalDoug]

I've hit my cats and the exhaust in the past, but w/o any kind of significant damage -- and I wheel my rig pretty hard. Although the goal is to get the slider on the rocks, it doesn't always work out that way. I have Slee's sliders -- I think they're great. If you're worried about cat protection, you could look into the sliders from Hannaquality.com. Ken Hanna's sliders are very nice too and have the cat protection you're prolly looking for.

 

[concretejungle]

hey guys, looking into sliders myself, but one thing is i would like to turn my cats first. That will bring them up and out of the way more, then add sliders. Will the hanna or slee sliders still fit with the cats turned? I'm sure i could call christo and have them make them to fit.

 

[ryanjl]

The Slee-sliders only come close to the cats around the center pipe that seperates the two of them, so turning the cats should have not effect on the fit of the sliders.

 

[sleeoffroad]

You are more likely to flatten the exhaust under the frame rail than hit the cats. In all the time I wheeled my 80, I never damaged the cats, but I can not say the same for that exhaust piece under the frame.

 

[concretejungle]

thanks for the info. Trying to decide on next upgrade: sliders or winch. I think the winch will make me go places i wish i had sliders. But the sliders might make me go places i need a winch. hmmmmm.....

 

[sleeoffroad]

Sliders before winch anytime.

 

[Riley]

Think damage reduction. With money you'll save in body damage, you can buy the winch next year.

On my old 60 series I tore & dented my rocker panels pretty good and it was $$ to repair the damage.

 

[waldrtw]

I would get the sliders. I dropped the front tire off a rock and hit right on the CAT. I thought it smashed the whole thing!! I was glade to see just a small dent. I am know saving up for slee sliders!

Tim

 

[DRTDuck]

from mabrodis

"Yes the cats are very exposed, no more so after removing the steps than before, but now you can
see them and realize it."

You are absolutely right, it's just that now I can see them everytime I walk to the truck, makes me feel kind of naked! Now just to decide to buy or make sliders.

 

[97cruiser]

Hey, about the exhaust in the middle of truck by the frame. Is it not suppose to be flat? Seriously mine is so perfectly flat ( less than half its diameter) that I figured that was factory. So there is no flatttened part in the exhaust system?Truck runs great other than the vibration I'm STILL trying to figure out.

Vince

 

[Beowulf]

Vince,
If you're talking about where the exhaust pipe goes over the frame cross member in front of the rear axle then yes, that is flattened from the factory.

-B-

 

[97cruiser]

Thnx -B-, Thats the spot.

Vince