Rate my rock slider installation ?

[audiness]

I hope I did this right... This was my first time doing any real welding (other than some exhaust work). I used a Hobart 140 welder with solid core wire. I got the 4x4 innovations sliders as a kit, the legs had to be welded on. I did have to do some modifications to the legs to get them to fit up nicely. Its kind of hard to explain, but the kit had the legs set up just straight out from the frame. I shortened and added an angle , otheriwse if they had just come straight out from the frame, they would have contacted the body. I was a bit surprised that the kit from 4x4 innov. wasn't setup like this, because basically it would not have fit without modification. I was not expecting to have to do any cutting or fitting, but I now realize this is pretty much the way things go with custom installations.










mock up before final install



welding onto the frame!






The settings i used




Overall, i am pretty happy with them, they seem sturdy. I got the DOM tubing, so it should hold up well. I tried lifting the truck with a jack on one of the sliders, and it seemed to take the weight just fine.

 

[hearno]

I know I've seen lots of guys weld plates onto the frame and then the slider onto the plates. Also, I recall shops not welding all four sides of the slider, I think the top was left clear. Can't recall why but it was preferred for some reason.

 

[jacknanita55]

Nice work

 

[calimobber]

Looks good to me man, nice job for a beginner welder.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Looks pretty good man! You'll find out when you need them lol.

 

[Ol'Blue]

Over all pretty good. Only thing I would have done different is larger gussets but that's just me. Nice work.

Blue

 

[Gadgetguy]

The welds don't look too bad, could be prettier but they will hold fine. My only suggestion, the holes you see that are drilled into the plates are for plug welds. Keep your setting where it is at, point the mig torch into the center of those holes, and weld until you see the puddle fill the hole and attach to the frame plates. That will give them that extra little bit of "grab" to the frame. Don't try to move the mig around at all, just point right in the center and weld until you see it grab the plate attached to the sliders.

Good work my friend.

 

[Unner]

Looks good to me, better than I could have done. If you can jack the truck up off them I'd say you're good.

The welds don't look too bad, could be prettier but they will hold fine. My only suggestion, the holes you see that are drilled into the plates are for plug welds. Keep your setting where it is at, point the mig torch into the center of those holes, and weld until you see the puddle fill the hole and attach to the frame plates. That will give them that extra little bit of "grab" to the frame. Don't try to move the mig around at all, just point right in the center and weld until you see it grab the plate attached to the sliders.

Good work my friend.

Never knew what those holes were for on weld on sliders. Good to know.

 

[audiness]

The welds don't look too bad, could be prettier but they will hold fine. My only suggestion, the holes you see that are drilled into the plates are for plug welds. Keep your setting where it is at, point the mig torch into the center of those holes, and weld until you see the puddle fill the hole and attach to the frame plates. That will give them that extra little bit of "grab" to the frame. Don't try to move the mig around at all, just point right in the center and weld until you see it grab the plate attached to the sliders.

Good work my friend.

Very interesting, never heard of this, but it makes sense. I was wondering what the holes were for, i was assuming that some people bolt them on? But then I realized that can't be the case , because there is nowhere near enough room to drill in most places on the frame

 

[cashmoney]

I'm really impressed with that welder. My dads got a small Lincoln mig welder that barely got hot enough to weld on my panhard drop bracket and even then I'm suspect. Looks like I got a new Christmas gift idea.

 

[DustyRoads]

I'm really impressed with that welder. My dads got a small Lincoln mig welder that barely got hot enough to weld on my panhard drop bracket and even then I'm suspect. Looks like I got a new Christmas gift idea.

Just read a bunch of great reviews on that welder. For the price it looks like a worthy investment. Ditto on the xmas gift idea....to myself!

I was under the impression that 110v capable welders usually wouldn't cut it for stuff like 1/4" steel used for plate bumpers and such? Is that the case here or is this a good unit for armor and rack building?

OP, inspiring work for would be newbie welders! Props!

 

[furlongendo]

You'll find out when you need them lol.

 

[audiness]

Just read a bunch of great reviews on that welder. For the price it looks like a worthy investment. Ditto on the xmas gift idea....to myself!

I was under the impression that 110v capable welders usually wouldn't cut it for stuff like 1/4" steel used for plate bumpers and such? Is that the case here or is this a good unit for armor and rack building?

OP, inspiring work for would be newbie welders! Props!

I am impressed with it to, but you have to be wary of the duty cycle. I could only weld for 2 minutes, then wait about 8-10 minutes. And I was using the Argon shielding gas, without it, the welds are super splattery. But it does seem to have good penetration if you take your time. I did a lot of practice on junk pieces before i went to my frame!

 

[KidVermicious]

Not an expert, but I think you could have used a little more heat and a little less wire speed and they'd be "prettier". Those look like they'll hold though, nice work.

 

[GHARP57]

in photo number 9 that weld looks like it is sitting on top of the frame more than it has made the frame molten and welded it, but hey it looks like it wont go anywhere!

 

[sportscarfan]

Not an expert, but I think you could have used a little more heat and a little less wire speed and they'd be "prettier". Those look like they'll hold though, nice work.

They look good to me - probably better than mine with the same welder (at least in name, mine is about 13 years old now). OP would have to go to a different welder for more heat - #4 is as high as it goes.

 

[white_n_slow]

Not bad at all for a newb welder. Looks better than my TG sliders did!

One thing I have read many times on the interwebs but do not have the experience or engineering degree to confirm, is that you should avoid vertical welds on the frame as they cause a weak point where cracking can occur. Any plate welded to the frame should be diamond shaped or triangular instead of rectangular--or so I have heard. But there are also lots of companies selling sliders with rectangular frame plates, so it may be that the danger is overstated. Either way, too late to turn back now! Just a random comment

 

[MStudt]

They look good to me - probably better than mine with the same welder (at least in name, mine is about 13 years old now). OP would have to go to a different welder for more heat - #4 is as high as it goes.

Heat it with a torch first for better penetration in situations like this.

 

[Kryptoroxx]

Just read a bunch of great reviews on that welder. For the price it looks like a worthy investment. Ditto on the xmas gift idea....to myself!

I was under the impression that 110v capable welders usually wouldn't cut it for stuff like 1/4" steel used for plate bumpers and such? Is that the case here or is this a good unit for armor and rack building?

OP, inspiring work for would be newbie welders! Props!

It's the case with this welder. I have no issues with 1/4" plate welds. You have to go a little slower and you will have to stop for the duty cycle but that little welder throws some heat.

 

[4gin007]

welds look good. penetration looks good. only suggestion would be to have a steadier hand, but that will come with practice. i welded mine on myself and i can say its a challenge welding while laying down on the ground or on a creeper. definitely weld the holes up on the plates and seam seal any exposed holes in the welds or anywhere water could get into the weld or behind the plate, its probably fine the way it sits now but if you seam seal the welds that will give you protection from rust.