Sliders
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
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All depends on how you want it to look. Just about anything with a .25" will work, 3/16" if its a light weight truck. Some like to use 2x2 tubing, some like round, my personal favorite is 1.5"x3" square tube with a .25" wall, laid flat.
Another common one I see is 2x2" square tube with a round "rub rail" on the outer side.
A friend of mine even made sliders out of 1x3 solid cold rolled. They were pretty heavy, but he will never be able to bend them up. They don't look that good in my opinion, but whatever floats your boat....
Another common one I see is 2x2" square tube with a round "rub rail" on the outer side.
A friend of mine even made sliders out of 1x3 solid cold rolled. They were pretty heavy, but he will never be able to bend them up. They don't look that good in my opinion, but whatever floats your boat....
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I guess it starts with how much weight, money, and if you will use it as a step. Tube is harder to do right, though it looks the best if done right and bent.
Rect. tubing can easily be cut at a 45 degree angle so you can glance off something hit straight on backwards or forwards. It will not support the weight as well as round tube of the same dimension.
3" x .25 tube will weigh about 8 pounds per foot. You will need about 28 feet for a full sized Bronco. That will be 225 pounds and about $300 out of your wallet at $1 per pound.
If the slide is made like a W |_|_| and you attach it to the frame with pads that extend the height of the frame and wrap over and under it, it will be pretty sturdy when bolted on.
I never did this, though I think making brackets for a high lift to fit under it would be a good thing, plus, it could double as a sideways pulling point with a come-along. I never thought of this until I had my BII slide down hill on a tree root (while high centered) and it jammed against a tree with all four wheels basically off the ground. I was wishing for a center pull or jacking point.
Oh, just thought of a point. Don't mount them too close to the body, if you are off road and the body is twisted, you can't open the doors if the truck flexes and have to climb out the window instead
Rect. tubing can easily be cut at a 45 degree angle so you can glance off something hit straight on backwards or forwards. It will not support the weight as well as round tube of the same dimension.
3" x .25 tube will weigh about 8 pounds per foot. You will need about 28 feet for a full sized Bronco. That will be 225 pounds and about $300 out of your wallet at $1 per pound.
If the slide is made like a W |_|_| and you attach it to the frame with pads that extend the height of the frame and wrap over and under it, it will be pretty sturdy when bolted on.
I never did this, though I think making brackets for a high lift to fit under it would be a good thing, plus, it could double as a sideways pulling point with a come-along. I never thought of this until I had my BII slide down hill on a tree root (while high centered) and it jammed against a tree with all four wheels basically off the ground. I was wishing for a center pull or jacking point.
Oh, just thought of a point. Don't mount them too close to the body, if you are off road and the body is twisted, you can't open the doors if the truck flexes and have to climb out the window instead
Last edited by rebocardo; Feb 11, 2006 at 11:10 AM.
Elder User
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Originally Posted by rebocardo
It will not support the weight as well as round tube of the same dimension.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: South Central Boise
You mean your 12 ton pipe kinker? Or do you have an actual tubing bender? Not cheap for little here and there work.
"That will be 225 pounds and about $300 out of your wallet at $1 per pound."
I calculate that out to $225. Maybe the yard has been taking advantage of you.
Just messin with you man.
"That will be 225 pounds and about $300 out of your wallet at $1 per pound."
I calculate that out to $225. Maybe the yard has been taking advantage of you.
Just messin with you man.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
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From: Coutts Canada
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> I calculate that out to $225. Maybe the yard has been taking advantage of you.
Not really ;-D
I assumed he will want some 1/4 plate for mounting, grade 8 hardware, wire or electrodes, and to pay sales tax. I just finished a 2"x4"x9 foot tongue for a trailer (welded (2) 2x2 1/8 tubes together) and I used 1.5 pounds of wire which cost about $15. Some projects I pay more for the flux core wire then I do the steel
Except for exhaust tubing, I have not had kinking problems with my cheap bender because the radius is usually big enough to avoid it. The trick is not bend it all at once, but, section by section as you feed it through. Sometimes after I have a gentle bend, I will feed it through again. I have even bent 3" stock with my 2" bender along with 1x1 tubing. I have even used my bender to press on 9" alxle bearings (see 67-72 forum).
My local steel dealer even sells "bumper" stock of sch 20/80 pipe which makes great bumpers and sliders.
Not really ;-D
I assumed he will want some 1/4 plate for mounting, grade 8 hardware, wire or electrodes, and to pay sales tax. I just finished a 2"x4"x9 foot tongue for a trailer (welded (2) 2x2 1/8 tubes together) and I used 1.5 pounds of wire which cost about $15. Some projects I pay more for the flux core wire then I do the steel
Except for exhaust tubing, I have not had kinking problems with my cheap bender because the radius is usually big enough to avoid it. The trick is not bend it all at once, but, section by section as you feed it through. Sometimes after I have a gentle bend, I will feed it through again. I have even bent 3" stock with my 2" bender along with 1x1 tubing. I have even used my bender to press on 9" alxle bearings (see 67-72 forum).
My local steel dealer even sells "bumper" stock of sch 20/80 pipe which makes great bumpers and sliders.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Originally Posted by fishmanndotcom
i've had some pretty good luck with the 3" solid round stock! so far never bent it although i always seem to hit stuff, like the bronco is leaning for some odd reason!
-cutts-
-cutts-
