Home made rock sliders. Tips please?

**jezzarezza** · 13th December 2018, 10:00 AM

Hi all, as APT have stopped making sliders Hendrik (from the forum) is too busy to make any at the moment and I cant afford any of the other brands (on this tip, if anyone knows a place that can do them for under $600 I would definitely consider buying).

If not, I might have a crack at making some.

I’m not experienced with doing steel fab, I’m a chippy by trade, so while getting all the measurements and doing all the planning is familiar the nature of steel is not so familiar, all I know is that it’s a lot less forgiving

I would like to put the 22deg radius in it, this is the most difficult part for me, and the part I need the most help with. Is the radius continuous through the length of the sliders, or does it ‘kick’ up at the ends? After putting a straight edge on the factory plastic steps, it looks continuous.

I will be using 3mm steel for all of it. I was thinking I could make the U by welding 2 bits of 3mm L angle (70x110 ish) together unless I can find U channel the size I need

It looks like I should be able to get some sort of steel fab / engineering place be able to put the radius in it for me before I’ve welded the U, RHS and tube together? Does anyone have an idea of what getting the bends done for me might cost? Anyone near Byron/gold coast want a carton for some bends?

I would also get the 75x50 RHS and tube bent at the same time

Any tips on where to get the materials cheap welcome. I’ve read that the size needed for these may be considered off cuts.. again, cartons??

To stop the steel from warping was thinking of doing 20mm ish welds, letting each weld cool, welding one side, then the other, going to the centre of the sliders, then working to the centre of each weld as i go, top first, then bottom? How far can i weld before it typically begins to warp? Is there a general rule?

Any tips welcome

Here’s the plans I will be using:

cheers

**John_D4** · 13th December 2018, 10:40 AM

I think most engineering places should have that steel as offcuts. Have you considered making the outer bit from pipe and hiring a pipe bender? Apologies if I’ve misread your post and plans. Then you could make a template from ply and bend the pipe until it matches your template.

**jezzarezza** · 13th December 2018, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by John_D2

I think most engineering places should have that steel as offcuts. Have you considered making the outer bit from pipe and hiring a pipe bender? Apologies if I’ve misread your post and plans. Then you could make a template from ply and bend the pipe until it matches your template.

Cheers, yeah, was going to do pipe nerf bars instead of the square ones on the plans. I might even use the old plastic steps as a template, but the ply is a great idea if that doesn’t work

**Bohica** · 13th December 2018, 07:35 PM

These are less than $505 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

I've put in a request for shipping costs

Ahh Hi

We send a few of these to Australia but due to the weight its expensive.

Last set the shipping was £215.00 I can get an exact quote if you email back your postcode.

That is $376 a total of $881, ouch

**John_D4** · 13th December 2018, 08:33 PM

Have u tried the wreckers? TRS or Danny Meconi, or posted a message on the FB sites? Might have some luck

**rangieman** · 13th December 2018, 09:28 PM

Ahh Hi

We send a few of these to Australia but due to the weight its expensive.

Last set the shipping was £215.00 I can get an exact quote if you email back your postcode.

That is $376 a total of $881, ouch

Postage from the Uk is always going to hurt

**jezzarezza** · 14th December 2018, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bohica

These are less than $505 Island 4x4 - Specialists in Land Rover and Range Rover Parts and accessories for all models. UK and worldwide mail order.

I've put in a request for shipping costs

Ahh Hi

We send a few of these to Australia but due to the weight its expensive.

Last set the shipping was £215.00 I can get an exact quote if you email back your postcode.

That is $376 a total of $881, ouch

Yep, this is my dilemma. Dixon fabrications does the cheapest but no longer delivers to oz I don’t think. I’ve tried emailing him with nothing back, and then by chance I saw him commenting on an international FB post that he wasn’t even delivering to Ireland.. but maybe he just hates the irish!

**jezzarezza** · 14th December 2018, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by John_D2

Have u tried the wreckers? TRS or Danny Meconi, or posted a message on the FB sites? Might have some luck

I tried all the buy sell FB pages with no reply but not AULRO FB page. Wasn’t sure if for sale / wanted was ok to put up there?

**jezzarezza** · 14th December 2018, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by jezzarezza

Yep, this is my dilemma. Dixon fabrications does the cheapest but no longer delivers to oz I don’t think. I’ve tried emailing him with nothing back, and then by chance I saw him commenting on an international FB post that he wasn’t even delivering to Ireland.. but maybe he just hates the irish!

Shame bc he does some really nice winch bumpers as well

**John_D4** · 14th December 2018, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by jezzarezza

I tried all the buy sell FB pages with no reply but not AULRO FB page. Wasn’t sure if for sale / wanted was ok to put up there?

I have seen people put ‘wanted’ posts on the FB pages. If the moderators are having a bad day they’ll just delete ur post & u haven’t actually lost anything. Good luck.

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