I've been thinking about Sliders for my pig ever since the Pigs on the Con run. While I like Morgans 4" box beams, I was thinking of something a little different for my Pig.

Since I have a spare body that's currently frame off, I have the luxury of being able to work on the frame and the body seperately. I'm planning on cutting my rockers off just below the doors and welding a 3"x1"x3/16" bar to the bottom of what's left of the rockers and to the vertical sheetmetal area on the back of where the rockers were. I will probably also reinforce the channels that support the floor while I'm at it and generally strengthen the area. The goal of these bars is not to make 'em sliders, but to add rigidity to the body, since, as they age, 55's have atendancy to come apart at the seams.

Hopefully, this will give me room to add the real sliders which I intend to mount to the frame. I'm thinking of 2" x 1/4" round sliders, set approx. 1" below the above mentioned stiffeners. These would have struts going back to the frame where they would either be welded or bolted thru the frame. If I do the bolt attach, I'll probably drill the holes oversize, insert spacers, and weld 'em to the frame.

From what I've read, sliders that are mounted to the frame often will flex enough to smack the body when a high lift is put under 'em. Hopefully, the method I've outlined above will keep this from damaging anything on the body, and by removing the rockers keep the sliders at or above frame level. By using smaller components (i.e. 1x3x3/16 and 2" round instead of 4" box beam) I should be able to keep the weight down a bit, although I won't have Morgan's cool on-board air-tanks this way.

Since I ain't done it yet, its still unproven, but its what I've come up with after watching 13 other lil' piggies tackle the 'Con.

Thoughts? Rebukes?

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input (not). I guess no one here knows anything about rock sliders?

WTF?

And after I helped all you guys with your brake and electrical problems
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Damn I'm in a whinny mood!

Boy you are in a whiny mood :rolleyes: :flipoff2:

Concerning the rocksliders flexing. If you are building the rockers to be stronger than they were stock then why is there an issue with the slider kissing it a bit. On my 40 I used 1/8th steel to protect the cut rockers and 2x2 .240 wall square tubing mounted by 1.5x1.5 .240wall square tubing to the frame. It does not flex much at all but because I mounted them so close to the rockers they do hit (I have about 1/4" clearance). It just does not really make any difference. No damage occurs when they hit...

Also, the rectangular ties to the frame will flex easier when the flat area is in the horizontal. Hard to explaing but I would not run rectangular tubing to th frame. Get some good square tubing if that is what you want...

The weight thing is not that big of a deal. Build it stronger. Espically on the supports. Low weight is a good thing!!

:D

Clark,

You gotta switch to decaf!

I originally wanted to weld some rocker panel protection to the frame, but after wheeling with Morgan and talking with him, I think I’ll do a variation of his (probably a little smaller than 4x4).

I think your idea will work, it’s all a matter of preference. My one concern would be the 1 inch clearance between the two. I’ve used a highlift on a 40 and to my surprise, the slider flexed up a good inch. (The guy had round tubing not thicker box beam welded to his frame.)

If you do add 1x3 to the rockers, leave an inch of space, then weld 2 inch sliders – this won’t net you any additional ground clearance than Morgans.

Since most of the wheeling is at very slow speeds, if you weld directly to the rockers, I don’t think the additional armor welded to the frame is necessary. Oh ... wait ... I’ve seen you wheel! Pedal to the metal! :D

Now that's more like it! As to the decaf comment, well, I used to own a coffeehouse, so old habits die hard. :bounce: :bounce2: :bounce:

Yeah, I think Young Dogs has got the right idea, and like he said, he's seen how I wheel :eek:

So, to be more specific, the 1x3x1/8" beam would be welded with the 1" dimension vertically after I cut off the rockers. That would give me about 3" higher than stock. Underneath this, about an inch down, I would go with 2x2x1/4" for the rails themselves. This would put me at about the same as if I had the original rockers.

:idea: One thing I'm still trying to figure out is where to attach an exoskeleton-type semi-rollcage. What I have in mind is taking a few hoops up and over the top of the 55 and tying a roof rack into it. Should this be teid to the body through the 1x3 rail or to the frame through the 2x2 sliders?

I could see going either way:

In the event of a roll-over, with the cage tied to the body it becomes a self-contained, very strong box with the potential of seperating from the frame. With the cage tied to the frame, the "box" or body becomes a capsule suspended in a strong cage. In either case, it seems like you want to decide where the cage will be attached, either the frame or the body, but not both. Otherwise, there is no reason for rubber body mounts as hard attach points would transfer any vibration, etc. directly to your butt.

Thoughts?

Jason,
so when are you going to invite me over so you can help me bend up some sliders for my 60 :D :rasta:
I'll even bring the :beer: :beer: :beer:

Originally posted by sixty
Jason,
so when are you going to invite me over so you can help me bend up some sliders for my 60 :D :rasta:
I'll even bring the :beer: :beer: :beer:


Perhaps next weekend. This weekend there is a Rockcrawling event in St. George that I absolutely have to attend :D

p.s. the only die I have is a 2" so I hope that is what you want for nerf bars!!! :p

jason,
I'm not in any hurry. I still need to install my 4.88's & ARB & an anti-wrap bar before I start beating on my rockers. :( but I would like to check out that cage of yours. it looks pretty sweet!! maybe I could bring the 60 over & we could check out each others rigs & drink some :beer: .
Whats the 411 on the st. george rock crawling event. I wouldn't mind draggin my wife up there for the day to check that out!!

Hey guys, get a room :flipoff2: Use PM for this sort of discusion. I'm lookin' for some help and you guys are tryin' to date on my dime, so to speak.

If it ain't about sliders, take it elsewhere.

No offense, but when my e-mail tells me I got a reply to my post, I come poppin' over here, just to read about your personal stuff. Makes me wanna unsubscribe from my own thread! :mad3:

Ooops I got yelled at
:crybaby2: :emb3:

Sorry bout that. In answer to your questions The 1x3" square should be strong enough. In fact it should be nice and strong.

As for the mounting the exo to the body or tub thing I would mount it to both. In grocery getter rigs they are trying to keep felt vibrations down. I am mounting the cage to the body to the frame directly. Although I am also going to reinforce the frame by completly boxing it. Frame flex is one of the main reasons why you do not want to hard mount the body to the frame. Remove most of the frame flex and you are set. The other alternative is to add bushings to the frame mounts. This will not weaken the cage structurally but will help remove some vibrations and help with aleviating the stresses of frame flex.
Personally I would mount it directly to the frame and body.. Another thing to consider, what type of tire are you running? Most people think that a BFG all terrain is a rough riding tire!!!
You probably will not be able to feel the difference of mounting the cage to the body and frame because of your tires. It is like the cardan or no cardan argument. My driveshaft points directly towards the tcase and without a double cardan DS I cannot tell the difference...

:D

Man

Jason

STOP! :flipoff2:

Screwzer,
At least we keep your topic at the top of the list :D
What your planning sounds like a hell of alot of work, but I guess while you've got the body off it might be a little easier. If you plan on wheeling it enough where your body need that much reinforcing then I believe your body fatiguing will probably be the last of your worries. i'd say go for it & tie your exo cage into your body so that it won't be slapping your body whenever your frame flexes.

oh I almost forgot :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2: ;)

Yeah, 60, you're right about the top thing, just a little friendly harrasment :flipoff2:

This is all good feedback. Yeah, it'll be a bit o' work, but hopefully worth it.

Anyone else?