Welding cost for Rock Sliders?

[theizzardking]

"I don't think you'll see as great an improvement with square Vs. round tubing... Personally, I think round looks much cleaner. And I think it will "slide" and kick me around obstacles better than sharp angles would."

yeah my bad i'm talking about rectangular tube, looks like this

 

[4runit]

Mini resurrection

I'm getting ready to get my sliders welded on, just waiting for my coilover top plate then i can get my alignment done..I've been calling around and I've gotten estimates from $150+ to weld on and even $80.

Does anyone know a good shop to get these welded on in Sacramento? Or maybe someone would be willing to weld them on for me around here and I could buy some food or something?

Also for those who have welded on sliders, how much was it to weld yours on?

 

[Stone5_T4R]

I should've updated this since I started the thread. I finally got mine welded about 2 months ago. Cost was $150 after everything was completed but well worth it to me. I had a quote of $100 from a shop that sounded a little shaky about performing the work. Not what I wanted to hear so I kept looking.
Took a while to find the right welder to do it. I found an independent welder on craiglist who was familar with them along with all kinds of fabricating for offroad vehicles. Finding someone who knows what they are doing is key. Honestly, I almost gave up on getting them welded because I couldn't find anyone to do it. Even exhaust shops wouldn't touch them or just didn't sound confident about performing the work. I think it's just where I live though. Not a lot of offroad shops or folks in my area unfortunately.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Whenever you weld sliders on, make sure you plate the frame to help spread the load. Never put vertical welds on the frame either.


We use plates that look like this

Welding sliders onto a rig is about a 4hr job to test fit, line them up, plate the frame, cut out the pinch welds, and then weld them on. We charge $150-200 depending on what vehicle its actually going on.

 

[slapdappy]

Never put vertical welds on the frame either.

Why? Will you please explain so I can understand. So the plates should only be welded to the frame along the top and bottom? Never heard this before.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Why? Will you please explain so I can understand. So the plates should only be welded to the frame along the top and bottom? Never heard this before.

because it allows a spot for a vertical crack in the frame. This is a huge no-no in the heavy equipment field as a vertical weld can crack the frame and it can break the frame.

Diagonal welds are much better.

 

[slapdappy]

because it allows a spot for a vertical crack in the frame. This is a huge no-no in the heavy equipment field as a vertical weld can crack the frame and it can break the frame.

Diagonal welds are much better.

Hi Scotty,
Diagonal. So the ideal frame plate is a triangle or diamond shape which is welded on all three or four sides?
If it is a square frame plate should it only be welded along the top and bottom horizontals? Or be rotated 45 degrees so it is like a diamond with the pointy ends at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock?
Every frame plate I have seen are simple squares/rectangles. Every photo I've seen of a frame plate install is a square with vertical sides, welded on the top, bottom, and both sides.
I am not trying to pick a fight. I am not disagreeing with you. I am trying to understand why, if a vertical weld is a no-no, and diagonal welds are a best practice, do i see only simple square plates which have vertical welds attaching it to the frame. Why are all of the frame plates square?
What you're saying doesn't jibe with common practice.
Again, I am asking because I am ignorant and would like to know.
Thanks.

 

[hawkmanjr]

I got my Stubbs HD-SKOs welded for $100. The other few welders I contacted estimated in the $125-150 range. Unless you have a buddy who'll weld them up (or are really good at making friends), I would plan to spend $150 if the sliders are premade. The total time for me to get my sliders welded on was 2 hours, but it was hot out so there were frequent breaks and lots of conversation. If we didn't chew the fat we could have been done in 1.5 hours easy.