Complete Slider Comparison

[Angry Andy]

ACHlLLES previously said:

I've heard trail gear and bent ups are the same? Anyways, thumbs up for the trail-gears for the price & free shipping. I'm very happy I got trail-gear's pair.

Trail gears also sit 'level', wheras the bentup's are angled 'upward'. Dont know about total length though....meaning how far they stick out from the frame mounting surface to the outside edge of slider.

[LostSailor]

How about adding how far they extend out?
I found a couple dimensions in previous postings:

All-Pro: 4"-4.5" and 7" at the rear flare.
Bent-Up: ?"
Demello: 1.5"
Expedition One: ?"
Richard Stubbs: ?"
Toyota: ?"
Trail-Gear: ?"

I believe that each of these are the dimensions from the door exterior.
I suppose measurments from the frame would be the most direct comparasin.

[Kzoocruiser]

Sun Fusion Cruiser previously said:

Good job! You deserve a pat on the back.

Ditto; very much appreciated.

[SoonerFJ]

LostSailor previously said:

How about adding how far they extend out?
I found a couple dimensions in previous postings:

All-Pro: 4"-4.5" and 7" at the rear flare.
Bent-Up: ?"
Demello: 1.5"
Expedition One: ?"
Richard Stubbs: ?"
Toyota: ?"
Trail-Gear: ?"

I believe that each of these are the dimensions from the door exterior.
I suppose measurments from the frame would be the most direct comparasin.

Good idea. I would use these 95% of the time as a step for the roof rack or for kids getting in and out and 5% of the time sliding off things.

[Kansas Law Dog]

Another slider option is in the works with Man-A-Fre. Although this prelimary version does not extend from the body to double as a step, they are looking into that option.

FJ Skid Plates here

Attached are some pics and the stated price is $415 a pair.

[FJCameron]

Thanks for the great comparison, is there a purpose beyond fashion for square tubed sliders? I was taught in engineering school that a circle is stronger than a square

[Steve-o]

We have decided to do both wide and tight versions of the sliders. They come powder-coated black, we are thinking about doing silver as well.

[Kansas Law Dog]

camvan previously said:

Thanks for the great comparison, is there a purpose beyond fashion for square tubed sliders? I was taught in engineering school that a circle is stronger than a square

A round pipe is better suited for internal pressure than anyother shape (pressure exerts an equal outward force evenly on the cylinder shaped surface). But a slider is designed to take punishing impacts when the wheel/tire moves beyond contact with the ground and gravity causes the vehicle lands on the undercarriage (slider or skid plates hopefully). Sliders will incur dents and other deformities, when this happens. I think the strength of the slider (for its intended purpose) is more dependent on the wall thickness than the shape in this case. However, one benefit of a pipe (tube) designed slider is the reduced area making contact with the rock while sliding over the obstacle. The flat surface of a square tube slider make a larger area of contact and more friction is the result. The benefit of a square tube design is a more stable standing platform, for the type that extend from the vehicle body to hold the vehicle away from an obstacle and perform as a step.

The purpose of a slider is to protect the undercarriage from damage when misjudging the line of travel or underestimating the height of the obstacle. If the person is purposely trying slide on the rock rails (rather than drive to miss obstacles), then the driver should be looking for full coverage undercarriage skid plates and the custom sliders with minimal void areas. The larger the void area, the more opportunity to snag on a large obstacle.

I my mind the ideal slider never gets a scratch because the driver picked the right line and accurately judged the height of obstacles on the trail.

[missmy60]

Thanks for the slider info! I hope I can find this thread when my wife lets me spend some more money on my FJ.

[LostSailor]

Steve-o previously said:

We have decided to do both wide and tight versions of the sliders. They come powder-coated black, we are thinking about doing silver as well.

Silver? Oh yeah, I remember... that's what they used to call Titanium Metallic in the old days!