Reinforced 4XGuard Sliders

[Matt]

While most of the strength of these sliders comes from the pinch weld... I wasn't happy with the tiny aluminum rivets they supplied to mount the upper section under the doors. I put my sliders to the test and they performed great, BUT there is always some movement on hard impacts; and I ended up shearing every single aluminum rivet.

So I got some heavy duty 3/8-16 rivnuts and installed 3 on each side. When I installed the rivnuts I also used JB-Weld on both sides to help reinforce the sheet metal and to ensure the rivnuts didn't spin out when torqued down.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/09/20130907120842_zps4e37d057-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/09/20130907120854_zps8f0e09a9-1.jpg

The middle bolts need to be shortened to ~3/4" because of the pillar. Yes, I used white silicone caulk to make it look more "finished". I added a few washers in between the body and slider since they don't sit perfectly flush and didn't want to pull the rivnuts through the sheetmetal.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/09/20130907125122_zpsac90653f-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/09/20130907125134_zps5a3e5ce4-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2013/09/20130907125142_zps10d5b78c-1.jpg

[Core XK]

Nice! So I guess you decided against selling or having tubes welded?

[Matt]

Still looking into welding tubes on. This was one of the things I wanted to do before adding tubes so they're stronger to help with the added leverage.

Now that I don't have to fight the rivets, it only takes ~10 minutes to take them off.

[pjmjr508]

I have the edition that had sheetmetal screws & don't like that. This will be great.

[Matt]

Yeah I can't say I'd like sheet metal screws either! Rivnuts with some JB are the way to go. Grabs a lot more surface area and the JB adds some stiffness to the area as well.

The hardest part is making sure you don't get JB on the threads. I used plenty of antisieze just in case

[valpacer]

Looks good Matt, and a definite improvement.

However, these are still relying on the strength of the sill and frame, which inst that strong.

This is mine after a trip earlier this year.

20942095

We are looking at using the subframes we are making to mount the long arms to to tie the sliders together under the Jeep, that way they cant get pushed up without bring the whole undercarriage with it :D

[Matt]

Yeah I remember when you posted about that. If I recall though it was a serious hit, as in the side of the jeep would have been destroyed, wasn't it? Could've sworn you made sure to point out how well they held up in light of the situation that caused the damage......

[valpacer]

Yeah it was a decent smack, full length of the slider going up a hill.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPFbe5rRBR8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUGrHzPQ6_LtHEA-TV2kbIog

round 2.15 onwards in this vid is where it happened

[1USMC]

Yeah it was a decent smack,........


Yup ... I agree also !

Great Video !! ;-)

[06blkhemi]

20982099Thanks Matt,
i need to do this mod ASAP. After my last Rausch trip my got hit hard enough to bend up the bottom of my door even! Busted out all the little self tappers!'

[Matt]

^^ Jacob told me you were having fun on some blues :cool:

[06blkhemi]

^^ Jacob told me you were having fun on some blues :cool:
Yes sir! Hoping my rack didn't fall out!! Haha! QD2 is pretty damn awesome!

[Matt]

lol that it is! I've had some fun at rausch. Always a good time when someone says "never thought id see a commander do that!"