Is anyone currently making rock sliders for rangers? I know zaeberd was making them years ago but I did not have the funding then. Finally ready to buy a set but as usual no one makes anything for rangers. If you have a tacoma you could bolt on any part u could ever think of, hmph.

 

A few of us are running the 78" trail gear rock sliders for the tacoma, just have to make your own mounting flanges for the frame rail. Here's a link to them. https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Rock_S...001-1-KIT.aspx

And a picture of them on my truck.

 

Those look awesome and cheap too. So did you just get some 1/4 steel plate and weld them to the sliders and then weld the plate to the truck? Did you need to do any cutting of the posts to get the right angle etc? Think you could snap a photo of how they are mounted?

Are you running a BL? I have a 1" BL, do you see that being a problem?

How about the paint? Did you just rattle can it? Wondering if I should rattle can, powder coat, or maybe linex. I thought the rattle can might work well because I can touch it up when teh rocks take off the paint.

 

I welded some 1/4" plate to the sliders and then I bolted it to the frame. I wanted them to be removable if I needed to take them off.I do have a 3" body lift which helped getting the angle just right. A 1" body lift should also be ok. I believe there are a couple guys here running them with no bodylift.

Yes I spray bombed mine with some satin black. Need to touch up the paint, just been to lazy.

I'll grab some more pics this weekend.

 

I just ordered the rock sliders! Talked my welder friend and he says his buddy will powder coat them for free! He says just throw him 40 bucks to be nice! Soooo excited, been wanting sliders 9 years since I got the truck!

 

That's awesome. Make sure you get some pictures of them installed.

 

What size bolts did you use? I am looking at some strength charts. 3/8" grade 8 has a sheer of 10,000. Thats almost twice the GVWR. 7/16 I think was 13,000. I can't imagine I need to go larger than that.

 

http://www.rocky-road.com/ford-ranger-rock-sliders.html

 

I can't remember it was either 3/8 or 7/16. I used 2 bolts per leg. So 16 bolts in all.

 

I bought the Rocky Road slider and it looks like a sturdy unit. Unfortunately, it did not fit my 2002 FX4. If I had a 1" body lift it would have fit but I could not get the mounting holes to line up because the body seam (pinch weld) interfered with the cross brackets.

I had to send it back to them. I sent many pictures and they didn't understand why it would not fit. They said it was made from their template that fits the 98+ Rangers. We have been in communication to try to figure out if my Ranger is different for some reason. Maybe no one has tried to fit their slider on a stock (non-lifted) Ranger.

 

If you look at the install pics for the rocky roads you notch the pinch weld at the location of the slider supports. Just mark on each side of the pinch weld. Cut then fold the tab with pliers.

I have had mine on for 2 years now and they have worked great.

 

Here's a picture of mine installed close up I can get better pics of the notches if needed.

 

Lol why send it back... Just cut where you need to.. Lol

 

I talked with Rocky Road in detail about the problem and they did not indicate I needed to cut and bend the pinch weld. I considered doing that but decided I did not want to do it. I feel it helps to add stiffness to the body/rocker panel and did not want to start hacking on it.

My installation instructions did not include any pictures but did have good detailed instructions. One of the main reasons I decided to go with Rocky Road was the statement "Our rockrails are very simple to install and are completely 'bolt on'. No welding or cutting is ever required."

Rocky Road suggested I send it back and I did. If I ever decide to do a 1" body lift, I will reconsider.

 

Lol. To each their own.

But if your installing rock sliders your trucks gonna get beat up... Unless your doing it for looks. In which case, gay.

 

I was not stoked on the idea either but there is now way to fit the sliders as well as they do w/I notching them. And the reduction in strength an the pinch weld is negligible for 2 .75 in sections in a 60 section.

To each their own

 

I always find it hilarious when people who do modifications to offroad, yet they're scared to do a tiny bit of trimming or cutting.

Makes zero sense.

 

I pick and choose what I want to cut on. I also don't beat on my truck when off-road. The skid plates do get scraped but I try to take lines to avoid contact. I chose to install the rock slider to help prevent damage to my truck.

When I go off-road, I am deep in the wilderness. I don't want to get stranded because of some stupid move that damages my vehicle.

As was said before, to each his own and you can do what you want with your vehicle as I will do with mine.

 

Here are mine i made. not bad for my first significant fab job. 2.5" thick wall square tube,
1/4 plate against the frame with four 1/2 grade 8 bolts, two mounting points on each one.
They are strong!

 

Those look nice. I would want mine to extend a little more forward and back. I see you have the exhaust coming out the side that interferes with extending the rock slider to the rear more.

Your tubes that mount to the frame are considerably more sturdy than the ones that Rocky Road makes.

 

Finally finished installing the sliders.

Let me tell ya, it was not easy. The driver side has way too much stuff in the way. The E brake and on the inside the frame are the fuel lines etc. I don't see how it would be possible to bolt these. Ended up just welding to the frame. I don't recommend these for anyone who is not very handy. I am a journeyman plumber and my buddy is a journeyman iron worker. We got it done and it came out nice, but it sure as heck is no bolt on job.

Had the sliders powder coated in satin black. Should of went with matte black.

It would of been nice if these were about 6 or 8 inches longer but they will do.

Got a front skid plate from RCI too. That bolted right up and I like it.

All the added weight compressed the suspension. Cranked the T-bar a little to put it back were it was.

 

Looks good.

 

I went with the 84"
Universal Rock Slider Kit (Welded) - Bumpers - Products
[QUOTE=joshyddog;2077317]Got my rock sliders on!