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DIY rock slider project

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by kevine0001, Mar 8, 2020.

  1. Mar 8, 2020 at 7:53 PM
    #1
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    I know I’ve seen a few others make their own. My truck is pretty much used for camping with the kids and hunting. No rock gardens for me but still wanted some protection vs just a step. Thought about a kick out but trying not to make it stand out too much. Although it will stick out a couple inches past stock tire size for protection in the Target parking lot!!

    FC743883-EEDD-4DB2-AD2A-FA00CE1DD0AF.jpg
    5856F6BD-497E-411E-B752-D527401E8596.jpg
    296FD4DB-73A5-4E72-A662-2A7272334D96.jpg
     
  2. Mar 8, 2020 at 8:44 PM
    #2
    jordan0317

    jordan0317 Just hoodrat things...

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    Bad ass, always good to be a one off. I dig my custom ones too :fistbump:
     
  3. Mar 8, 2020 at 9:07 PM
    #3
    cctxquicksand

    cctxquicksand IG - TRDistheWrd

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    Man those look great

    awesome job
     
  4. Mar 8, 2020 at 9:59 PM
    #4
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

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  5. Mar 9, 2020 at 7:06 AM
    #5
    Mountun Goat

    Mountun Goat She baaaaaahd

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    Nice job! @kevine0001 :thumbsup: I built my own as well as @TheBeast suggested by tagging me :hattip:

    Your sliders look great! I love custom built one offs!:transformer:
     
  6. Mar 9, 2020 at 8:57 AM
    #6
    Lovetrucks

    Lovetrucks Member

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    They look really good
     
    kevine0001[OP] and Mountun Goat like this.
  7. Mar 12, 2020 at 11:53 AM
    #7
    scottb2240

    scottb2240 New Member

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    Looks good! Are you welding or bolting them to the frame?
     
    Rica25 likes this.
  8. Mar 12, 2020 at 12:55 PM
    #8
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Bolt on. That’s why takes a little longer. Gotta pick up the plates. Measure for holes and drill. Then bolt in place, position sliders and measure and cut for mounting tubes to weld between slider and mounting plates. About $35 for grade 8 hardware with nylocks
     
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  9. Mar 12, 2020 at 2:20 PM
    #9
    scottb2240

    scottb2240 New Member

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    That makes sense. Since you aren’t going to be rock crawling. I wonder if you could write up some diy plans for this. I’m sure guys would like that. I could put it into CAD if you wanted that.
     
    Rica25 and ForceV4 like this.
  10. Mar 12, 2020 at 4:49 PM
    #10
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    This is pretty easy. I used the Demello square tube slider as an idea. It's all 2x2 square tubing, 0.125" or 1/8" wall. I know I'm gonna hear about how "thin" it is. Yeah, I know, but I'm not crawling this truck. It's a step for my wife and kids, and stronger than an actual step. The spread between main tube and outer tube is 2.5". Ladder has five steps. The ends are 45 degrees. End caps are also 45 degree. If someone knows how to weld, they'll realize how easy and basic this is for a slider. No kickout either. even easier...

    I think total length is 105". Outer tube I believe is 80" and centered on the main tube with those 45 degree ends. I'll be using 3/16" plate steel for the mounting plates, with same square tubing to attach between slider and mounting plate. There will be a gusset on the top of the tube to the mounting plate. That way, if i lay the slider on something, it provides added strength from the slider being pushed "up." The inside the slider where it is welded to the tubes going to the mounting plates will have gussets on the back facing side of the tubes. That way, if I hit something with the front of the slider, that gusset provides strength from it being bent horizontally back.

    I'll readily admit, I'm far from a great welder. I'm "Youtube certified" and I do double passes whenever I question a weld. But I have yet to have something I've made break. Including my double swing out rear bumper on my land cruiser with a 285 spare tire doing 60 mph on five miles of Death Valley washboards (yes, i was staring out my rear window waiting to see if my spare broke off...it held thank God)
     
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  11. Mar 12, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #11
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Oh, one thing I realized after making this. Rather than cut those end pieces on outer tube with 45 degree cuts, I'd use a longer outer tube, and cut a pie cut notch and bend the outer tubes in to the main tube. Weld up that pie cut as it should close once you bend. The math here needs to be pretty close to avoid trying to bridge a large gap with the welder, so better to not cut enough the first cut, than too much. once you make the bend, and weld the ends up, you can then tack it to the main tube. AFTER doing this, you measure and cut your ladder pieces. no guarantee what that length will be doing it this way, but this makes making those corners way easier. I should have thought of this first. Note the grinder will be your friend whether you have a chop saw or not.
     
    scottb2240 likes this.
  12. Mar 12, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #12
    ForceV4

    ForceV4 Pull my finger

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    Well, I guess I'll be the first to say it. Would you like to weld up another set for me? I dig 'em.
     
    kevine0001[OP] likes this.
  13. Mar 12, 2020 at 7:02 PM
    #13
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Appreciate the support. Honestly I understand why fabricators charge so much. It’s not super hard, especially if you have better tools than mine but it is time consuming

    I’d honestly be out of my element if I had to make a set for someone. It would take me so long only because I’d want them to be perfect if they were someone else
     
  14. Mar 12, 2020 at 7:10 PM
    #14
    ForceV4

    ForceV4 Pull my finger

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    Sounds like we're on the same page! *laughter* I'm just breaking your balls because I couldn't weld my way out of a wet paper bag. I like seeing posts like yours showing off what I wish I could do.
     
  15. Mar 12, 2020 at 7:15 PM
    #15
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    I had so much practice before this. Once you get the hang of moving the puddle, some stacking is easy. It’s welding in weird positions that gets tricky
     
  16. Mar 14, 2020 at 8:11 PM
    #16
    ForceV4

    ForceV4 Pull my finger

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    My hands shake too much. I've got some sort of benign tremor. My attempts at welding look like a cranked out 5 year old played with the tools.
     
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  17. Mar 14, 2020 at 9:24 PM
    #17
    NoRcptn

    NoRcptn Better than mediocre poster

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    Joke as you may about parking lots. Seriously,
    Two days after I put sliders on my 04, I hit this massive boulder while making a right turn. I never saw it. It would’ve destroyed the side of my truck. All I did was
    scratch the powder coat!295A1D68-ED22-4378-8D3D-9D67CAA8CB7B.jpg
     
  18. Mar 14, 2020 at 9:31 PM
    #18
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    But they don’t protect against flower pots!!!

    upload_2020-3-14_22-31-39.jpg
     
  19. Mar 15, 2020 at 9:40 PM
    #19
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    that's funny. feel bad for you, but that's still funny
     
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  20. Mar 15, 2020 at 10:56 PM
    #20
    saybng

    saybng Just a member.

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    Method Nv's, falken wildpeak 275.65.20 Dirty deeds exhaust, 5100's all around...nothin fancy.
    kevine0001[OP] likes this.
  21. Mar 16, 2020 at 7:57 AM
    #21
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. Just waiting for some time to hit up steel yard to get some plate to make the mounting plates. When I get that, I'll also pick up the hardware. Just curious from anyone on here who has bolt ons, how long are the bolts used? 1.5" or 2"? I'm assuming at least that long. I figure it has to pass thru the mounting plate, frame and backing plate/washer. And it needs enough exposed thread. I'll probably go with 2" just to be safe.
     
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  22. Apr 20, 2020 at 11:45 AM
    #22
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Got the mounting plates done, sliders welded up and double gussets (vertical and lateral) on every mounting tube. Gonna so some wire brushing, acetone wash and then primer, bed liner spray and paint. That should hide my lack of fabrication skill. Then install probably on Sat.

    IMG_7583.jpg
     
  23. Apr 20, 2020 at 12:14 PM
    #23
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    For anyone considering doing this, it's not easy making bolt ons. A lot of math, a lot of drilling. I would almost recommend either using pre-cut pieces of angle iron and maybe even have shop drill the holes. Would increase cost, but make your life way easier. Even purchase pre-cut gussets. Weld on sliders would have been soooooo much easier.

    However, my total COST not including labor is about $220. Not bad and I made these so they stick out about 2" from tire and body. Ain't gonna have any door dings from other cars
     
  24. Apr 21, 2020 at 10:04 AM
    #24
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Done. Just need to let dry for the week. Install Friday night

    0B411A4A-A8D8-40DA-AADB-D279AEBABFC2.jpg
     
  25. Apr 21, 2020 at 9:32 PM
    #25
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Done. Solid AF. Didn’t test it with the jack but I have no doubt I can lift the truck from my sliders.

    1646C9F0-26A7-4932-9070-F15D0FE14C6E.jpg
     
  26. Apr 21, 2020 at 9:44 PM
    #26
    Rica25

    Rica25 Got Bam? IG ......@TNDRA08

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    Those look real nice good job I just order some from RCI for my FJ
     
  27. Apr 21, 2020 at 10:01 PM
    #27
    kevine0001

    kevine0001 [OP] New Member

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    Thanks. I wanted the demellos but since I have other hobbies which I’ll have to ask the “boss” (aka wife) about, I figured I’d save some of that “wife equity” and make these. Up close, they aren’t pretty but after one trip to the dirt, it won’t matter.
     
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  28. Apr 21, 2020 at 11:19 PM
    #28
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    Nice work
     
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  29. Apr 29, 2020 at 3:21 PM
    #29
    scottb2240

    scottb2240 New Member

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    Those look so good! Thanks for giving us info about the build, cost, and bolt on vs welding.
     
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  30. Oct 21, 2020 at 12:49 PM
    #30
    Sweepcity

    Sweepcity New Member

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    EE5BBBDE-B3B6-400B-B0BD-A588EAC69CC1.jpg 3F277AD8-04D6-4A3C-8854-8762AEB27656.jpg
    I also decided on a DIY set as well. Pretty similar to all of the styles out there. I used 2 in. Square tubing 8th inch thick wall. No kick out I did these because my other runningboards got a little banged up on our last trip so instead of buying another cheapo set of running boards I went ahead and went with this style they’re not quite done I’m going to both him as well versus welding them to the frame. I didn’t close the ends off and I know some guys are going to tweak out about it saying all you’re going to catch something well hopefully it’s just some pretty girls skirt in the parking lot. I think I’m going to cut a couple of strips of expanded metal so that it provides a little bit less of a slippery surface to step into. Bolting them to the frame is next and making my brackets and then welding those brackets to the running boards themselves. All in all I probably have $75 and steal and because I am not a fabricator by no means maybe 3or hours in building these. Hopefully at least finish up the welding portion today and get them mounted we’ll see how it goesEE5BBBDE-B3B6-400B-B0BD-A588EAC69CC1.jpg3F277AD8-04D6-4A3C-8854-8762AEB27656.jpg
     
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