Outdoor Adventure USA

After the pre-run part of the trip last weekend we headed over to run Heartbreak Ridge. I was being especially careful, as I have not had a chance to order/install sliders yet, but while going through the entrance I slipped off one of the rocks and heard a crunch. Thinking I had just wrecked the rockers I glanced at them quickly, but didn't see any obvious damage besides a new crack in the plastic (disposable) trim piece. Back on pavement that afternoon I realized the crunch was actually the sound of the front corner of my passenger door being curled inwards (fortunately in an easy to fix spot).

Looking back at the manner in which my door made it to the rock I can't help but think the sliders I originally picked out would not have been any help at all in this situation:



After seeing the only partially damaged trim plastic below the door, and the section of it that completely skipped the rock that the door hit, I'm thinking the additional tube-step often seen on sliders is a must:



Thoughts?

I would recommend you consider sliders with the additional extended tube protection. Besides avoiding the damage from the situation you were just in, it affords the vehicle some leeway when it slides off a rock and rebounds back - the extra distance could avoid nailing the door panels...

It also provides an excellent platform for the Hi-Lift jack when needed to raise the side of the vehicle. We carry slider adapters that allow the sliders to rotate as the Hi-Lift lifts, which will help prevent the jack from whacking your door panels as well...

cruiserlarry wrote:We carry slider adapters that allow the sliders to rotate as the Hi-Lift lifts, which will help prevent the jack from whacking your door panels as well...

I never thought about that. Safer jacking is a good enough reason in and of itself IMO.

You want sliders the extend out past the lower body lines of the rig , and you want them to be tapered for and aft so they can plow through things a bit.

With them sticking out, you can also use them to press on a rock and thrn turn against it, pivoting in a small spot.

For sure you want them strong enough to use as a jacking point. For round tube sliders there are vendors who’ll sell you a device for your high lift that will cradle the slider’s outer bar:

http://www.wabfab.org/products/sliders/newsa4.jpg

I skipped getting sliders when it was new the same way, http://www.tacodawg.net/body_work

After that I got some from Demello Offroad, square tube “rock crushers” and they’ve bounced off stuff ever since.

Definitely get the sliders with extensions or that stick out further than the door.

Mine have saved me a few times. All the above is great advice. I got the AP because they get wider towards the rear tires and I have been able to slide around rocks, as the slider pushes the rig away from the rock.

Regards, Steve

The stock rails on my Jeep have saved me from quite a bit of potential damage, even without the extended sliders.

Willie H wrote:The stock rails on my Jeep have saved me from quite a bit of potential damage, even without the extended sliders.

The steps on our Ranger are like that. I've dropped the weight of the truck on them many times and barely scratched them, but unfortunately they hang low and don't cover the leading edge of the bed.