I got my Expedition One Rock Sliders and I am definitely happy with them and looking forward to grinding them up a little bit.
I wanted to add a little traction to the steps and did a forum search. I came up with various way that other forum members were mod’ing their sliders for traction. I found that some were using Rhino Liner (truck bed liner), wrinkled textured finish out of a rattle can and also grip tape. Since my sliders came powder coated satin black, I decided to go with the grip tape method. I wanted the install to look clean, so I decided to make a template. I measured up the honeycomb pattern and transferred the dimensions to a drafting software at work (during my lunch break of course). Printed the drawing out and did a test fit. It was close, but no cigar. Modified it a little more and we were in business! All 4 steps on my sliders seem to be identical, so I cut out the paper pattern and transferred it to the back of some skateboard grip tape. Cut the grip tape up and slapped them on my FJ. I am sure these will help out next winter when snowboard season kicks in!
I used some skateboard tape that I got from a local sporting goods store for $6.99, but you could use some grip tape that they use for stair treads if you can find it in a 2” width. I believe Home Depot has it in the paint department (don’t know price). The adhesive on the back of the skateboard grip tape seems to be holding up fine after a weeks worth of use, but I think the adhesive on the grip tape used for stairs is actually much stickier/strong in my opinion. The skateboard grip tape is not as gritty as the stair tread version. The grains on the stair tread grip tape seem to be a little larger and coarser. The skateboard is “flatter” and has smaller grains I think due to the fact that skateboarders have use their hand also for certain tricks? Sorry too much info, but below is a quote from another forum member (gascolator) with a draw back if you decide to go with the grip tape. Maybe the skateboard grip tape might be a better choice because it is less coarse?
“In the summer it's REAL unpleasant to have it sandpaper the back of your leg when dismounting wearing shorts. It's even more unpleasant to listen to your girlfriend after it's done the same with her lovely leg.”
Another option would be to add the grip tape to the step only and leave the bar bare.
I used some basic tools:
Scissors
X-acto Blade
Black Marker
Old Magazine
I used an old magazine as a back drop to cut against with the X-acto blade, but a coffee table would probably work just as well. But beware; your wife might put 2 and 2 together when she see’s the honey comb pattern on the coffee table matches the honey comb pattern on the sliders.
The attached drawing needs to be printed out on 11x17 paper. I added overall dimensions to the drawing, so 2x check the drawing was printed out to full scale before you start cutting. I also found it easier to align the grip tape to the treads if I started from the center and worked my way out.
I don’t know if any other forum members could use this info, but the template is already done so why not post it.
Enjoy,
Rick
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