Rock Sliders

[ToeJam]

Where are people getting them, how much and what qualities should I look for?

I've seen some extend out from under their X's (Antitree-Huggers) and some that are flush with the side of truck. Which is better and why?

[ScottG]

I don't have them, but the ones from Calmini seem to be reasonably priced. They have a website. I think it's calmini.com

[Mobycat]

There are a couple sources I can think of off hand...

All J Products make them, as does EOE (Nissan Offroad).

Prices are about the same, but EOE's appear to be MUCH beefier (I don't have any, yet).

[Antitree_hugger]

Mine stick out far enough that I can put a high lift on them without screwing up the paint. I had mine made at a local shop, cost is about $260.00

[Synchro]

in some ways it would be better to have them under the truck more performance wise as rock sliders, they stick out that far to provide for hi-lifting as Antitree_hugger mentioned but also to provide a step to get onto the roof. the concern with them sticking out that far is that if you slam down on them like Mr T did, there is more leverage to bend the frame with. whereas if they were under the rocker panel more, there would be less leverage, in theory. but on the flip side, when they stick out that much you get a buffer from some of the rocks that low and skirting the side of the sliders. there are trad-offs either way. for the moment, i like mine the way they are, out a little.

[Thanatoz]

I agree with the leverage effect, to minimize that effect you could use thicker walled tubeing. But that is about all you can do. You could try welding on a triangle brace, but that would hang down and defeat the "slider" part of it. :sun:

[FSRBIKER]

EOE's Rock Sliderz are gusseted to prevent this from happening, Mike and a few others have sets I made when I was doing them just for friends and the gussets are not there...yet. The tubing is 3/16" thick, there are more than a few slider makers that use 1/8" which I don't think will withstand years of punishment. Also it is recommended that the Sliderz be welded on to the frame, this makes them much, much stronger as you are not depending on two bolts per mount to prevent them from moving...well what happens is the frame can get bowed out at those holes. The other option is to drill through the frame so you are using both sides of the frame to brace the slider..this is a real pain to do and your local muffler shop can weld them on in a half hour or so. Some ask what happens when I want to take them off...I tell them why would you ever want to take them off...the only reason I can ever think of is if you sold your truck and wanted to put them on your new truck. The X/Frontier is unique in the fact that we have bolt holes...almost all trucks require sliders to be welded on.

[rrdstarr]

This was a little challenging on my driveway which is sloped 10 degrees! The EOE sliders weigh about 50 lbs each. After install I welded the bottom edge and about 1" up each side. I am sure the fastners will hold, but if I use my Hi-lift to lift my truck I want to be SURE!

[Synchro]

i did mine by myself as well. i set the slider on top of a cooler, slid them underneath there then bolted them in. i am sure it looked funny, but it did the trick.

do you have pics of the welding you did?

[rrdstarr]

Synchro...here is the picture you requested of my welding skills.

It is hard to make out because I have put POR 15 on the bare metal. It is a rust preventative used by auto restorers.

[Synchro]

nice!! i sure hope you never have to take them of.

[rrdstarr]

I never will need to. Why would you want to take them off. We have everyone in the club take off their aluminum steps before they go 4 wheeling, that is to avoid damage.

[Whistler!]

Rick,

I see you installed your sliderz...They look really good.

I noticed you welded them to the frame...curious-why?

Any status on a lift for your X yet?

See Ya :hehe:

[rrdstarr]

"Also it is recommended that the Sliderz be welded on to the frame, this makes them much, much stronger as you are not depending on two bolts per mount to prevent them from moving...well what happens is the frame can get bowed out at those holes. The other option is to drill through the frame so you are using both sides of the frame to brace the slider..this is a real pain to do and your local muffler shop can weld them on in a half hour or so. Some ask what happens when I want to take them off...I tell them why would you ever want to take them off...the only reason I can ever think of is if you sold your truck and wanted to put them on your new truck. The X/Frontier is unique in the fact that we have bolt holes...almost all trucks require sliders to be welded on."

That pretty much sums it up!

[Synchro]

philosopher had to take his off for reasons i will not go into here. gothamist will have to take his off in order to modify them so they fit correctly with the body lift. so sometimes u might needed to be able to remove them.