Slider square tube size

[Pirox]

What size square tubing are you guys using?? Searching has turned up a fair number of 2x2 .120 being used. I have both 2x2 and 1.5x1.5. The 2x2 seems huge and the 1.5 wimpy. Is there such a thing as 1.75x1.75 and if so, can it be successfully used to make sliders??

I don't expect to drop my truck off cliffs onto them but I don't want to spend time making these things only to have them fold up after hitting a stump or rock.

Kent

[hytenor]

What size square tubing are you guys using?? Searching has turned up a fair number of 2x2 .120 being used. I have both 2x2 and 1.5x1.5. The 2x2 seems huge and the 1.5 wimpy. Is there such a thing as 1.75x1.75 and if so, can it be successfully used to make sliders??

I don't expect to drop my truck off cliffs onto them but I don't want to spend time making these things only to have them fold up after hitting a stump or rock.

Kent

any of those sizes will work. the trick to keeping them sturdy enough to 'drop off cliffs' is to use enough cross bracing. 3 mount points to the frame is good, 4 for overkill.
If you need some plans for bolt-on brackets let me know. I have mine and Dick Fosters on my norcal page.

[01tacoboy]

Do what you think looks good. I used 1.5" x1.5"x3/16" square tube for mine.
used 5 frame braces welded on 4"x4"x1/4" plate welded to the frame in a diamond form. I do however think mine are a little overkill.

[Pirox]

Thanks for the info guys. I was afraid the 1.5 may not hold up.

Hytenor... I plan to weld them on but thanks for the offer.

I will probably go with the 1.75 simply because I can't make up my mind about the others :)

Kent

[01tacoboy]

1.75" is a good choice. My 1.5" sliders are planty strong, so make your choice
on what you think looks the best. Just remember, if you weld them on, weld the legs to some plate in a diamond fashion, then weld the plate to the frame.

[jh3]

I used some 1.5"x3", check out the pics in my sig

Josh

[WallyP226]

I went with 1.75X1.75 .120 wall square and three 6x6 3/8 thick frame brackets.

While I have not dropped hard on them, my truck is stock height and I don't think my transfercase or its skid would like me for that, I have run up and over things with them and they have held up fine.

1.75 square wall will be stronger than round tubing of the same thickness and size but also weigh more.

[ravencr]

I've used 1.5x1.5x.25" square tubing for a long time. I've hammered them very hard, and they haven't dented, bent or anything. I have three frame supports.

Chris

[Pirox]

Looks good on your truck Josh.

I have been reading about this diamond pattern with the plate when welding them on. I was thinking of making a L shaped bracket and welding them under the frame rail and up the sides. It appears some of the fab shops use this design. The diamond shape is preferable to a plate that attaches to the side and bottom of the frame rail??

Kent

[OR_05Taco]

Hytenor - I would like those plans for the bolt-on brackets. Gonna get to making some sliders sometime in December and don't really want to weld them onto my '05. Thanks!

[hytenor]

Hytenor - I would like those plans for the bolt-on brackets. Gonna get to making some sliders sometime in December and don't really want to weld them onto my '05. Thanks!
http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/misc/slider%20sketches/slider%20sketches/

these won't work on the '05 since the frame is completely different.
I would just bolt them directly to the 'C' channel frame on an '05 with mounting plates in the 4-5" wide/tall range. drill through-holes (probably 4/plate and use grade 8 hardware.

[WallyP226]

http://www.norcalttora.com/~chris/misc/slider%20sketches/slider%20sketches/

these won't work on the '05 since the frame is completely different.
I would just bolt them directly to the 'C' channel frame on an '05 with mounting plates in the 4-5" wide/tall range. drill through-holes (probably 4/plate and use grade 8 hardware.

Does the 05 have a C channel frame? Ie open on the inside? If it does, it would be a LOT easier to bolt on a pair in comparison to the earlier years.

BTW I used a modified copy of yours and Dick's design for my 04, except I put two bolts per bracket, and welded DOM tubing into the frame for each bolt. LOL I had to sleeve the DOM near the gas tank, didn't want to take it down and didn't want to weld right next to it.

[hytenor]

Does the 05 have a C channel frame? Ie open on the inside? If it does, it would be a LOT easier to bolt on a pair in comparison to the earlier years.

BTW I used a modified copy of yours and Dick's design for my 04, except I put two bolts per bracket, and welded DOM tubing into the frame for each bolt. LOL I had to sleeve the DOM near the gas tank, didn't want to take it down and didn't want to weld right next to it.

yes, that was one of the first things we noticed at TO in Tahoe.

[OR_05Taco]

Sooo... what would be the best way to bolt them to the C channel frame on the '05 then? Should I build C brackets that slide right over the frame, then run bolts from the top down through the open space and put the nuts on the bolts underneath the frame; or simply run the bolts in from the side and put the nuts on in the opening of the frame on the inside??? See attached pic. Thanks for your input!

[hytenor]

Sooo... what would be the best way to bolt them to the C channel frame on the '05 then? Should I build C brackets that slide right over the frame, then run bolts from the top down through the open space and put the nuts on the bolts underneath the frame; or simply run the bolts in from the side and put the nuts on in the opening of the frame on the inside??? See attached pic. Thanks for your input!

nah, just flat plates. the frame is 3/16" hi-grade steel...a lot beefier than the older Taco frame.
however, it might be interesting to make the brackets in an 'L' shape with an upturned lip on the bottom of the L but that would probably be overkill.
4 bolts per plate