Trail gear DIY slider - Anyone give it a go on the GX460?

[re_guderian]

Have you seen these?

Rock rails

I studied some different designs, and decided to fab up some pinch weld supported rock rails. The angled 90 degree is 14 gauge 1.25 inch, the support arms are 1.25 inch 14 gauge square HREW tubing, and the main rail is 1.5” 14 gauge round HREW. Obviously all mild steel. For what I do, the...

forum.ih8mud.com

Or even the OEM rails for the 4runner?

 

[r2m]

When you're building it yourself, the raw materials are pretty cheap to try different setups!

 

[Bang Bang]

Have you seen these?

Rock rails

I studied some different designs, and decided to fab up some pinch weld supported rock rails. The angled 90 degree is 14 gauge 1.25 inch, the support arms are 1.25 inch 14 gauge square HREW tubing, and the main rail is 1.5” 14 gauge round HREW. Obviously all mild steel. For what I do, the...

forum.ih8mud.com

Or even the OEM rails for the 4runner?

That guy never posted the pics he said he would and hasn't posted since mid to late 2020. I would suspect you drop off a rock onto those rails and either the bolts give or the pinch weld folds with that design. I really don't understand the point of what he is trying to accomplish. Just bolt the damn things to the frame. I guess we could just use some schedule 40 pipe and some elbows and then just self-tapping screw it all to the pinch weld or screwed into the underside of the floors. Just make sure you don't have the ends of the screws poking through at your feet.

 

[re_guderian]

That guy never posted the pics he said he would and hasn't posted since mid to late 2020. I would suspect you drop off a rock onto those rails and either the bolts give or the pinch weld folds with that design. I really don't understand the point of what he is trying to accomplish. Just bolt the damn things to the frame. I guess we could just use some schedule 40 pipe and some elbows and then just self-tapping screw it all to the pinch weld or screwed into the underside of the floors. Just make sure you don't have the ends of the screws poking through at your feet.

I should have linked to the threads referenced in post #6. For "less than hardcore" use, the 80 and 100 series guys have been using them for almost 10 years. They are what they are, obviously weaker, but significantly cheaper, than frame mounted sliders. Stronger, more clearance, more protection that stock steps. That is all.

 

[Bang Bang]

I should have linked to the threads referenced in post #6. For "less than hardcore" use, the 80 and 100 series guys have been using them for almost 10 years. They are what they are, obviously weaker, but significantly cheaper, than frame mounted sliders. Stronger, more clearance, more protection that stock steps. That is all.

Ok. I guess it makes sense. But I think I’d spend the extra money for peace of mind and not have to worry. I have no intentions of hardcore wheeling the GX but I’ve gone on what was supposed to be an easy run in my LX450 and got into some hairy stuff. So, I’ll go with better safe than sorry. Just my opinion…..

 

[TheNomad]

Same basic "Reason" to have basic sliders but probably only a little more work than that version to just bolt em onto the frame.

 

[re_guderian]

Yes, I've thought that while the design using round tube that sticks out is ubiquitous and good for "using" to pivot on rocks or trees, the use I'd have would be from breakover issues and the occasional dropping off a rock and wobbling to the side into a rock. I've thought a rectangular "running board" style would probably be fine, with just a little extension past bodyline for mild "just in case" scenarios. (socal rocky deserts). Simpler design as well.
My idea is still cheaper than that... for now.
But that may be the next iteration.

If that's your use case, what about the Toyota ones here. Part numbers a few posts down.

 

[TheNomad]

To be honest, because its $450. It's always an option, everything is reversible but I like to try the budget way before jumping to the straight purchase

 

[TheNomad]

And here's the hair-brained idea I had. Raw materials? Partly done project? Chop cut rebuild?
Big waste of time? Learning experience?
Not sure when I'll be able to dedicate a lot of time to it, may need to go in stages, an hour or two on the weekends.
Mounts cut off. Third rail comes off, becomes legs. Get steel for mounts fit and tack.

$80 Jeep takeoffs, cheaper than the price of steel

 

[r2m]

Are they long enough? When I was T-boned, my insurance company added to the right rock slider to the damage, which I couldn't really tell was damaged, but in a any case I was able to get new sliders, closer to what I really wanted. Anyways, I kept the old sliders and tried to see if they'd fit on my wife's 2007 4x4 crewcab Taco. They were too short and she has the short bed too!
So check to see if they're long enough. Jeeps are pretty short, even the 4 doors.

 

[TheNomad]

Are they long enough? When I was T-boned, my insurance company added to the right rock slider to the damage, which I couldn't really tell was damaged, but in a any case I was able to get new sliders, closer to what I really wanted. Anyways, I kept the old sliders and tried to see if they'd fit on my wife's 2007 4x4 crewcab Taco. They were too short and she has the short bed too!
So check to see if they're long enough. Jeeps are pretty short, even the 4 doors.

I did, If I recall the 460 is 74" total, these are 73" and there is room to trim 1" off and recap each main tube, or trim even further into the joined tubes and make a custom shape endcap. The main tube will be directly under the pinchweld, where most square main tubes are. I couldn't buy raw tube locally for twice as much and these are already bent and welded. Now I just need to not botch the job.

 

[r2m]

Now I just need to not botch the job.

Just remember to measure once, cut twice.... er... Measure twice, cut once!!!

 

[TheNomad]

Just like every home improvement show, demo is the most fun and easiest. I have to avoid turning this into a pile of metal shavings...

 

[TheNomad]

Now that its morphed from Trail Gear to my junkyard build, I'll put the rest of the progress on my build thread.
Just need to grind the welds flat now. Progress.

 

[DirtNap]

And regarding Rednexus comment about just doing all the welding yourself to hone your skills, personally, that's fine and all, but myself, I'd rather have someone else do a really nice job of it if it's going on my Lexus and have it look good. Save the practice for scrap metal or projects no one else will see.

That's why there are so many "weld it yourself kits" for Jeeps.

 

[TheNomad]

To close the loop on this. I did finish chopping and welding these up to make my own. Fun project, and while not everyone's preference, I enjoy it. $150 all in.
If they rust away, fall off, shatter like glass or blow up, then I can buy something to bolt up to make all the purists happy. Nope, not gonna happen.

 

[WTITW]

To close the loop on this. I did finish chopping and welding these up to make my own. Fun project, and while not everyone's preference, I enjoy it. $150 all in.
If they rust away, fall off, shatter like glass or blow up, then I can buy something to bolt up to make all the purists happy. Nope, not gonna happen.
View attachment 2969000

Looks great. Nicely done.

 

[TheNomad]

OK, so how did most of you "Finish" the cut edges of the rockers? My design is somewhat part of the problem as it is not a full flat top end to end and leaves the cut ends of the rockers visible.
A certain "quality control expert" mentioned that my cut off ends look unfinished. (aka my wife)

I still need to finish sand and paint the slider, and do a bit of straightening of the trim lines on the plastic rocker.

I'm contemplating getting some thin edge guard and putting that on the trimmed edges, another option is to paint the lower rocker bedliner black to make it more hidden if not more protected.

 

[r2m]

OK, so how did most of you "Finish" the cut edges of the rockers? My design is somewhat part of the problem as it is not a full flat top end to end and leaves the cut ends of the rockers visible.
A certain "quality control expert" mentioned that my cut off ends look unfinished. (aka my wife)

I still need to finish sand and paint the slider, and do a bit of straightening of the trim lines on the plastic rocker.

I'm contemplating getting some thin edge guard and putting that on the trimmed edges, another option is to paint the lower rocker bedliner black to make it more hidden if not more protected.View attachment 2997242

I tried looking for a photo in my build thread that I had, but either I can't find it or I'm imagining it.
But anyways, you can run a length of black trim liner along the edge, like what I have on mine and it'll give a nice finished look.
Something like what's on this page:

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[TheNomad]

basically what I was thinking of, probably sand flatter and give it a shot