Sliders from WASP 4x4 and other manufacturers

[Muddles]

Hi all,

Anybody got a set of Sliders from WASP 4x4 out of SA or any other kit from them. I am looking to get a set of sliders. I have seen the sliders from Autocraft which look good but i am also looking at WASP and Macquarie 4x4 as well.

Only thing about Macquarie is that the sliders they supply need to be welded to the chasis were as both the WASP and Autocraft sets are bolt ons.

Are there any pluses to welding them on or is it just a bag o trouble waiting to happen?

cheers
Muddles

[Deeptank]

I need some sliders too and spoke to Smithies Outback Gear yesterday, They were quick to point out that as theirs are welded to the chassis they are already unroadworthy in QLD... I'm in Vic, but there's a good chance they may well end up that way here too.

Also, I would not accept something welded to the car.

Thanks for the Wasp 4x4 link - I've asked them for a quote.

[MickL]

I rang the RTA in SA some time ago and quizzed them on subject of chassis welding.

Perfectly legal as long as it follows the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations and procedures, is done by a competent person and of course the welding is not part of a modification that requires engineering (such as lengthen the chassis etc)

So much for the urban myth of it can't be done.

One thing that never seems to get mentioned though; Come time to sell and I'd hazard to guess that 99% of potential buyers would walk away at any sign of welding to the chassis.

Mick

[Muddles]

Thanks for the info.

I had a feeling it would be trouble. At the end of the day i had the thought that if i managed to bend a set that are welded on then i would be likely to stuff the chassis as well. and if not it isn't like you can easily get them off.

I am going to get a set from WASP 4x4 http://www.wasp4x4.com.au (mods please remove the link if you don't allow them)

They price well including delivery to NSW and from the images i have seen look good as well as solid.

Cheers
Muddles

[MickL]

At the end of the day i had the thought that if i managed to bend a set that are welded on then i would be likely to stuff the chassis as well. and if not it isn't like you can easily get them off.

The sliders don't actually weld directly to the chassis rails. Just the mounting plates do, the sliders then bolt to these. You can still un-bolt them for repairs.

Mick

[Muddles]

Well the order is now placed with WASP 4x4 and i should have a new set of sliders to fit sometime in the next 3 or so weeks. Once fitted i will take some shots.

Now that that is on the way time to think about the next requirement. Hmmm 2in lift maybe!

[switched]

Muddles, looking forward to the pics. Without calling wasp and tyrekicking, what was the damage $$ for their sliders?

[Muddles]

Hi Switched,

The damage or 'The cost of the correction to the damage i did to the original steps' is $880 + Freight.
They do them in either a dark silver almost grey colour or black powder coat. You can get them with or without checker plate. I chose with.

Love to say that i had the kit and that little extra to make them myself but i am just not that handy so this is what i pay. What i can say though is that from looking around this is 1 of the better prices.

Cheers

[jarrah7rally]

Muddles,

Let me know how they fit up for you, would also love to see some decent pictures as well.

Think me has to hide a few more $$ from finance control manager

[switched]

Muddles, have you got any pics for us yet?

[Muddles]

They have only just arrived at the shipping depot. I hope i can get up there tonight to pick them up. I won't have time to fit them until the weekend. I hope the weather holds so i don't get soaked while i put them on.

[Muddles]

I picked up the sliders tonight. From the little bit that i unwrapped so far they look like a really professional job. The welds all look to be of really good quality and the tubing used is a good size. the finish overall appears to be really good. I will post some photos when i do the fitting at the weekend.

[switched]

THanks muddles, looking forward to the pics.

PS

Hi Switched,
They do them in either a dark silver almost grey colour or black powder coat. You can get them with or without checker plate.
Cheers

Is the dark silver powdercoated as well as the black?

[Muddles]

Well they are on now. And here are the photo's

The Steps

Front leg and backing plates

Rear leg and backing plates

Closer look at the rear leg. The top bolt goes through the chassis rail instead of over it

Close look at the front leg

Under side of the steps

The state of the original step

Orignial step middle bracket pulled away from the step rivet insert and all

Step free (the easy way to get a lift )

There's always somebody who wants to sticky beak when you are doing up your ride

The hired help (thanks goes to my brother in law and nephew)

The drivers side

Passengers side.


All in all they are good steps and fit ok.

A couple of things though.
1. When fitting them i had to release the brake lines that were attached to the chassis rail. they then had to go on back under the rear arm which may leave them a little exposed although when reattached to the chassis rail they are still above the bottom of the rails.
2. I had to undo and pull back the fuel tank guard for access on the rear passengers side. They are easy to get off but they are a b*$^h to put back on.
3. Now they are on the vehicle feels different to drive. I assume at this stage it is to do with the fact that the original steps are attached to the body rater than the chassis rails. There is a bit of a vibration that wasn't present before the change and i think this is to do with the fact that i have just added 15kgs to each chassis rail directly with no padding between the rails and the steps to stop the vibrations passing back up through the body.

and finally

4. Do not have any kids around when fitting as the air turned very blue when trying to put things back in place

[Muddles]

Is the dark silver powdercoated as well as the black?

From the discussion i had with Hugh from Wasp yes the silver is a powder coat as well

[Fungi2003]

3. Now they are on the vehicle feels different to drive. I assume at this stage it is to do with the fact that the original steps are attached to the body rater than the chassis rails. There is a bit of a vibration that wasn't present before the change and i think this is to do with the fact that i have just added 15kgs to each chassis rail directly with no padding between the rails and the steps to stop the vibrations passing back up through the body.

A couple of things: check for mounts rubbing against cabin and I also noticed the vibration when I installed my slides from Autocraft, very minor but still noticeable.

[switched]

They look the good muddles.

1. When fitting them i had to release the brake lines that were attached to the chassis rail. they then had to go on back under the rear arm which may leave them a little exposed although when reattached to the chassis rail they are still above the bottom of the rails

Is that because of the welded gusset on the mounting frame of the slider?

3. Now they are on the vehicle feels different to drive. I assume at this stage it is to do with the fact that the original steps are attached to the body rater than the chassis rails. There is a bit of a vibration that wasn't present before the change and i think this is to do with the fact that i have just added 15kgs to each chassis rail directly with no padding between the rails and the steps to stop the vibrations passing back up through the body.

Interesting observation. Have you noticed any rubbing between the sliders and the body when the body flexes away from the chassis? It's not the aluminum checkerplate vibrating is it?

[Muddles]

So far i haven't seen any rubbing on the body but it has only been a few days. i will have a look at the weekend to see if there is any point where this is occurring.

Yes the gusset that gives the extra support from the mounting bracket to the arm is what gets in the road but i think it is better that they are there for the extra strength.

[Deeptank]

3. Now they are on the vehicle feels different to drive. I assume at this stage it is to do with the fact that the original steps are attached to the body rater than the chassis rails. There is a bit of a vibration that wasn't present before the change and i think this is to do with the fact that i have just added 15kgs to each chassis rail directly with no padding between the rails and the steps to stop the vibrations passing back up through the body.

A couple of things: check for mounts rubbing against cabin and I also noticed the vibration when I installed my slides from Autocraft, very minor but still noticeable.

Is that vibration still noticeable? Do you think there's a way of 'fixing' it?

I am about to buy a set from Auto-Craft too...

[Muddles]

I can't say that it is gone but it is only minnor. The only way i can think that you may lessen the vibration is by using some sort of rubber bushes to absorb the movement and with the space available on the fule tank side you may not be even able to get them on there.

As pointed out by Fungi this is something that seems to occur wether they are from autocraft or wasp.