How did you mount your rock sliders?

[cmequestionu]

I've been hunting around for ideas for rock sliders and have found some of you guys have some pretty good looking ones but the thing I don't see a lot of is how you mounted them to your frame. I know some of you decided to weld and some decided to bolt. What I'm interested in is where you chose, how/why, and (most importantly) pictures!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bolted to spread the load out on the frame and so they are removable if I ever feel the need to remove them.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't have any yet but the best way with the Ranger frame being C-Channel, is welded on to the frame. The second best is bolted to the frame. Either method should be strong enough not to flex and hit the body of the vehicle. Basically, if you can't use a jack to lift the vehicle off of any given point on the slider, it isn't strong enough.

Another option offered by Affordable Off Road, is metal sections that replace the door sill of the cab. Those are welded in and offer better ground clearance than a bar mounted under the cab.

 

[cmequestionu]

Bolted to spread the load out on the frame and so they are removable if I ever feel the need to remove them.

Did you drill new holes or did you go based off holes that were already there? How did you decide to mount the plates where you did?

 

[cmequestionu]

I don't have any yet but the best way with the Ranger frame being C-Channel, is welded on to the frame. The second best is bolted to the frame. Either method should be strong enough not to flex and hit the body of the vehicle. Basically, if you can't use a jack to lift the vehicle off of any given point on the slider, it isn't strong enough.

Another option offered by Affordable Off Road, is metal sections that replace the door sill of the cab. Those are welded in and offer better ground clearance than a bar mounted under the cab.

I've looked into the ones from Affordable Off Road but the impression I get is this option is better for unibody construction as it stiffens the whole truck where as body on frame would transfer that force through the body mounts.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I moved this to the bumper/slider/cage forum just to keep things tidy.

I'm looking to do sliders myself... haven't settled in on which ones... might even just make my own. I'm going to have to get busy and figure it out.

 

[Curious Hound]

I bolted mine. Complete custom design. So I chose my mounting points and drilled my own holes.

1993 Splash in SC

summit has been pretty quick for me too, Jegs is even quicker. If its in stock I can have a jegs order next day- with standard shipping. It does help though that Im just 1 county away from a main distribution hub.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Did you drill new holes or did you go based off holes that were already there? How did you decide to mount the plates where you did?

Drilled holes, just kinda put them as evenly placed as I could without interfering with anything. I made backing plates to go on the backside as well.

Mine were a trailgear kit iirc originally intended for a 80's Toyota pickup.

 

[cmequestionu]

I moved this to the bumper/slider/cage forum just to keep things tidy.

I'm looking to do sliders myself... haven't settled in on which ones... might even just make my own. I'm going to have to get busy and figure it out.

Sorry, I was looking for ideas for these trucks specifically so as not to get confused with newer rangers or other RBVs. Hopefully we'll both find the answers provided enlightening.

 

[SenorNoob]

Seriously considering this myself. Will probably just be a square tube running wheel arch to wheel arch bolted to the frame. I hadn't considered backing plates before. That's a good idea. The frame is pretty thin.

 

[Shran]

I did the ones on my Explorer the same way that @85_Ranger4x4 did his. Same sliders too, those trail gear ones are legit.

On my 86 I cut the rockers out and replaced them with 2x4” steel tubing, 1/8” wall and then added another 3/16 plate on the bottom.