Custom Rock Sliders

[RabidPony]

Alright, now that I'm done asking questions and have the finished product mounted up, I figured it was time for a new thread. These are the rock sliders/step bars that I have built for my VX since there really weren't any on the market that were exactly what I wanted.

The main slider bodies are made from 2"x4" 3/16 wall tubing with a 45* angle on each end.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_20891.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18818)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_20901.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18819)

I then added step bars angled up at about 45* and in at 45* made from 1 5/8" wall HREW tubing. On each step bar, I cut out a 1 foot section at the rear and knurled it with a knurling bit on a mill then sleeved it, welded it back in, and metal finished it. You can't even tell it was removed. Then I welded that on and shaped the connection points to provide a smooth surface that wouldn't catch on anything. Did some measurements and test fits, then added the arms to connect to the frame, 2"x2" .120 wall HREW, and connected them to the mounting plates for the frame made from 1/4 steel plate. Last I added the 1"x1" .120 wall square tubing on top of those arms and drilled them to mate to the pinch welds. 3 holes front 5 rear, though there are only 2 front on the passenger side.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/P9091218.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18804)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/P9091214.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18802)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/P9091215.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18803)

And then I painted them with BBQ black paint and mounted them up. Two grade 8, 9/16", in each mounting plate into threaded holes in the frame and secured with red Locktite. The pinch weld bolts are 5/16" Grade 8 and secured with lock washers and nylock nuts. I had a 270 pound guy stand on the steps once it was all mounted and bounce up and down. Didn't budge a bit. Not too shabby for the first thing I've ever truly fabbed from scratch myself. I personally did everything from the initial measurements, to the cuts, welds, painting, and mounting. :cool:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2113.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18812)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2114.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18813)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2117.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18815)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_21161.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18814)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/P9091225.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18807)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2104.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18809)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_2110.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18810)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2111.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18811)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/thumbs/IMG_2123.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18816)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/IMG_21331.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/18817)

[RamAirZ]

Looks awesome man. I myself would have used 4 bolts per plate if I didn't weld them solid by I like overkill for stuff like that. Amazing job especially being the first thing you fabricated. I do find that kind of hard to believe though because those welds look pretty good :)

[RabidPony]

I was actually going to use three bolts in the rear, a second one on the bottom, but I changed my mind as to how I wanted to do the legs from the slider to the frame so I just went with two. As far as the fronts, there really wasn't room for more than two bolts without going to a smaller bolt and I didn't want to go there. I'm a big proponent of overkill myself, hence all the bolts to the pinch weld. But, the way it all worked out, I'm quite pleased. As far as the weld quality, thank you, I'm not too shabby for a newb, but there is one place where I didn't get the weld to lay down quite like I wanted on one of the step bar to slider attachment points. It's not as pretty as I wanted but the strength is definitely there so I didn't stress over it too much.

[RamAirZ]

looks good either way. If you ever wanna check out my last slider build here ya go (I used the same paint haha, looks awesome! I wasn't super happy with the welds in some spots but it was super late and they worked)

http://forum.planetisuzoo.com/viewtopic.php?t=28795&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=sliders&start=0

[VX1032]

Looks good, only thing I would have done differntly would have been a support from the upward angle tube to the 2x4 stock. Just in case you hit something in the middle so the tube would not bend in.

Nice job.

[Bob Barker]

Making more to sell?

[RabidPony]

I was actually planning on putting a plate in there for that reason but, I had extra 1 1/2" tubing for sleeving the sections that I cut out so I just ended up sleeving it from one bend to the other. It's very solid. As far as making more to sell, nah. I made these as a project for my chassis fab class and after graduation tomorrow I will no longer have access to the shop so I won't be able to make more. And really, these are pretty close to the Rocky Road sliders and I wouldn't want to steal their thunder. Plus, between materials and hardware, these cost almost as much as theirs.

[Grif]

Fantastic job. I want.