Are bolt on sliders bad or sketchy?

[Wild Snapper]

I keep reading folks comments on bolt on sliders. Are these really that bad. Can anyone suggest a solid brand that makes a well designed bolt on slider and how it's design is different than other bolt-ons. What is it about bolting to the frame that makes them bad?
Thanks. Looking for feedback from folks that have bolt on sliders and their experience.

 

[haddix]

If you intend to use the sliders for off-road/protection I think weld-on sliders are the only way to go. Bolt on would be good if you were only doing it for looks. If I were slamming my rig down on rocks Id like to have the peace of mind that the sliders aren't going anywhere. For some brands look into shrockworks, 4xinnovations, revenge-fab, trailgear or maybe even go a custom route(I went custom). I'm willing to bet wherever your located there is probably a fabricator pretty close. Let us know what you end up with.

 

[Wild Snapper]

If you intend to use the sliders for off-road/protection I think weld-on sliders are the only way to go. Bolt on would be good if you were only doing it for looks. If I were slamming my rig down on rocks Id like to have the peace of mind that the sliders aren't going anywhere. For some brands look into shrockworks, 4xinnovations, revenge-fab, trailgear or maybe even go a custom route(I went custom). I'm willing to bet wherever your located there is probably a fabricator pretty close. Let us know what you end up with.

So bolt on slider are for looks???

 

[G.I.G.]

Not so fast. I have heard differing opinions on which is better and after doing a lot of research, I am leaning towards bolt-on rather than wend-on sliders for a few different reasons.

1) Some well respected rock slider manufactures use bolt-on installation rather than weld-on. These sliders ain't just for looks.....

Rockrails, rock sliders, rocker protection

4th Gen Toyota 4Runner Rock Sliders, Toyota Rock Sliders, ShrockWorks

2) If you ever want to take off the sliders, or change brands, or (heaven forbid) you get in a bad car accident that requires frame work, weld-on sliders can get int he way. Whereas bolt-on sliders can simply be removed. No cutting or plasma cutters required to pull of bolt-on sliders.

3) You can install bolt-on sliders yourself, saving you significant $$$ from having to pay someone to install them for you. I've heard a couple of jack stands and a buddy will definitely help, but you can probably do a bolt-on slider install yourself within a couple of hours and without the need for welding gear and welding ability.

4) I went to Slee Offroad to ask them about sliders for my 4R. They are very well respected in the Toyota, specifically Land Cruiser, communities. I asked them about sliders for my 4th gen and they said they don't make sliders for 4th gen 4Runners. They said they would be happy to install any sliders that I bought and brought in, but they recommended bolt-on vs. weld-on. This is coming from a company that specializes in custom fabrication work, so welding is not a problem for them. I didn't get into the specifics as to why, but I certainly respect their opinion. Again, it's not gospel, but it was coming from some people that I trust and have done work on my 4Runner in the past.

I'm not saying weld-on sliders are bad, but I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss bolt-on sliders, either. I'd be curious to hear other opinions of people that are running sliders currently.

 

[Mr. Leary]

The reason why bolt on sliders come more highly recommended by major outfitters is because they do no weaken the frame.

Every time you heat up the frame by welding or a torch, it weakens the steel.

I welded my bolt on sliders in place.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just pick one slider and stick with it. Doing this multiple times is what will get you in trouble.

 

[Wild Snapper]

good feedback so...how about some comments from the folks claiming bolt on sliders are bad. I can see the argument being that bolt ons are less strong that welding to the frame, but the idea that they are for looks seems a little off. But maybe not, I'm not the experienced one here so how about some feedback from the anti-bolt on folks. With all due respect :bluejump:

 

[haddix]

I don't think the bolt-ons are for looks only. They would take a beating off-road but I think that welded on is better. This is just my opinion though.

 

[G.I.G.]

I don't know if I would focus solely on whether they are bolt-on or weld-on, because it is just one factor to consider. There are great manufacturers using both installation methods. I have even seen bolt-on sliders that had a few weld joints added to them. Either way, most sliders, regardless of installation method, are going to provide more protection off-road then the stock running boards or nerf bars.

Some other factors to consider are price, availability, where you are having them installed (if you're not doing the install yourself), styling, how far they stick out from the side of the truck (some people like to like to use them as a step, others prefer a more flush slider), etc.

I am leaning towards the Shrockworks myself and will probably order a set within the next couple of months. The fact that they are bolt-on and that I can install them myself was part of the reason why I leaned towards Shrockworks sliders, but also because of their quality and the reviews they have received. I wouldn't hesitate to go with weld-on sliders either, however.

 

[JB.]

Yeah, materials, design, and installation are more important than whether they're welded or bolted on.

I think the poster who said they're for looks must have been thinking of cosmetic step tubes.

 

[rook]

Bolt on would be good if you were only doing it for looks.

:wtf:

There are many components that are bolted to the frame that are not for looks. The front bumper beam and the tow hitch are two that I can think of off hand.

As for design, Shrockworks bolt on wraps the frame on 3 sides with steel, therefore the bolts only carry a portion of the weight of the slider. They are not going anywhere.

There are risks to welding on sliders, such as applying too much heat to an area causing a weak point on the frame.

 

[manhunter]

I have had bolt-on sliders for two years and they are have slammed rocks, trees, stumps, etc., and are still there. The kind I have not only bolt to the frame, but also have a bar that attaches to the pinch weld of the body for extra support. However, I had to re-modify when I did the body lift. As long as whatever you get is properly designed to take the beating, then you will be ok.

 

[Wild Snapper]

I have had bolt-on sliders for two years and they are have slammed rocks, trees, stumps, etc., and are still there. The kind I have not only bolt to the frame, but also have a bar that attaches to the pinch weld of the body for extra support. However, I had to re-modify when I did the body lift. As long as whatever you get is properly designed to take the beating, then you will be ok.

Great...what brand/type of sliders would those be that you have?

 

[Mr. Leary]

Rocky Road Outfitters makes a good bolt on slider, but I would advise against ever doing business with them. I bought some stuff from them, inluding my sliders, and it turned into a nightmare. Product quality was good, service was every kind of horrible.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

"If you ever want to take off the sliders, or change brands, or (heaven forbid) you get in a bad car accident that requires frame work, weld-on sliders can get int he way. Whereas bolt-on sliders can simply be removed. No cutting or plasma cutters required to pull of bolt-on sliders."


That my reasoning for when I get sliders soon and my friend who works at a body shop recommended bolt-on because it's less evasive on the structure of the frame. There always might be a reason for being able to remove them easily thus is why I would go bolt-on.

 

[Pdub21093]

I am currently looking to get a pair of shrockworks sliders. Should I go with 2 or three tube supports. Is there a real difference? Are the easy to install? I have a 10 4rnr trail.

 

[ironhippy]

I have bolt on slee sliders for my land cruiser.

I find it pretty funny that they are "just for looks".

For the record, I haven't had any problems slamming my bolt on sliders into rocks, roots, trees, etc. and my vehicle weighs around 6000#.
I've also jacked my truck up several times using the sliders.

 

[crazydubman]

I am currently looking to get a pair of shrockworks sliders. Should I go with 2 or three tube supports. Is there a real difference? Are the easy to install? I have a 10 4rnr trail.

I would always choose the most tube supports available. Gives more mounting points to the frame whether they are bolted or welded.

One thing to keep in mine with weld on sliders is that the frame needs to be plated where the supports are welded. This will help to dispurse the load over a greater surface area.

Most if not all weld on sliders from distributors come with frame plates, however they all have edges that run vertical (At least all the ones i have seen).

The frame plates need to have all welded edges at a diagonal to the frame. This will cause less of a stress riser by spreading the heat along the frame rather than having a vertical weld running top to bottom on the frame. That will cause potential weakening to the frame and cause a high stress point with the potential for cracking.

If you have a shop weld on the sliders, make sure they actually weld on scab plates and that they are welded with all seams being diagonal to direction of the frame. The DIY sliders I picked up had plates that were vertical so I had the shop that installed them, cut and weld their own plates that the sliders were then welded too.

 

[Viper45]

Researching this myself.

Haven't heard anyone mention it yet, but (I'm guessing) the weak point with both designs is the connection, right?

Crappy welds, or ones that haven't been reinforced (as discussed above ^^), would suffer the same problems as general hardware bolts.

If one did purchase a kit without bolts, what grade steel or aluminium would one want?

 

[KidVermicious]

Rocky Road Outfitters makes a good bolt on slider, but I would advise against ever doing business with them. I bought some stuff from them, inluding my sliders, and it turned into a nightmare. Product quality was good, service was every kind of horrible.

Nobody local deals with them either. I don't know anybody in Utah that has anything good to say about Rocky Road, unfortunately.

 

[crazydubman]

Haven't heard anyone mention it yet, but (I'm guessing) the weak point with both designs is the connection, right?

Crappy welds, or ones that haven't been reinforced (as discussed above ^^), would suffer the same problems as general hardware bolts.

If one did purchase a kit without bolts, what grade steel or aluminium would one want?

If you have to buy your own hardware, I personally wouldn't use anything less than grade 8.