Where the heck do you guys find your steel?

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Guys, It's not necessarily where you find it, but rather how much do you pay?I am looking to build some rock sliders for my Jeep, but all I can find for the pipe is around $20 a foot for 1/8" wall, 2 inch pipe, that is online though.Where do you look around your community? I really hate buying steel brand new when slightly used will do.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:I have had the best prices at locally owned steel yards. Price is per pound. You should be able to find one in the phonebook. BTW, I finally finished my sliders this past summer.DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:About how much did the making of your Sliders Cost?I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Hmmmmm......I bought 2 20 footers sticks of A500 2x2x3/16" wall in 02 for $1.87 a foot. 8 months later it jumped to $3.47 a foot because of the China  Those prices were though Chicago Tube and Iron. I did buy the same material from a local yard a while after for around $2/foot. I have not bought it since then.DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Opps.......I think it was around $60-70 for the pair at $1.47/footDanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:I wanna make set too, but you can get em new for $160. So the material would have to be priced right.
Reply:For the ZJ's they run $300 +/- a couple bucks.ZJ meaning 93-98 body style Grand Cherokee's I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Yup my grandpa drives one, pretty solid rig.
Reply:Could ya modify these???http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...spagenameZWD1VDanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Originally Posted by xccelagatorCould ya modify these???http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...spagenameZWD1VDan
Reply:I bolted them to the frame. Xterras had the step-bars. I think you could make a L-bracket with some self tapping bolts or stitch weld them in. If I redid mine I would run the main tube under the pinch-weld, mine extend pass that. I did run the outer rail 2 inches pass the widest part of the truck. It proven helpful when I slid sideways into a boulder last summer Click on the pic.DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:I wheel with a guy that has these for his Xterra. They 1/8 wall and work real well. IMHO mine are overkill at 3/16 wall. He has different designs that bolt, weld or tap to the frame. Worth the read for designing.http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/RockSliderZ.shtmlDanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Wow xccelagator!! Thanks so much! These links are great, but no one seems to actually mount to the pinch seam aswell.  Why not?I cant imagine 4 screws per side would hold the slider up, let alone the fact it is supposed to support the entire vehicle.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:The pinch weld is not a good idea to mount them, it simply is sheetmetal welded together. I would mount them to the frame. You can however use the pinch-weld as "secondary brace of sorts" when the slider flexes upward. This is what I have seen in most slider designs.Mine have 6 bolts per side, some sliders have much fewer!DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Well I just cannot see how the 90' stock with a couple bolts into thin framework would hold. Did you do a bolt through, or sheet metal screws?At the shop when lifting vehicles on the hoist or jacking up for tire repairs, the pinch frame is always a possibility to jack from.  It doesnt look strong, but you can easily jack vehicles up from it.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:I thought the same thing, but it works.........The bolts on mine are metric and are 12.8 grade in metric about Grade 8 in SAE. I can lift my Xterra with a high lift both tires off the ground. Like I said there are already nuts inside the frame. This is how we install them on Xterras. If the Xterra sees heavy use like the Rubicon Trail, guys have drilled through the frame and installed longer bolts and plate. some have added a plate underneath also.On a uni-body design such as a mid size car yes you can and should lift the car at the pinch-weld.  On a mid-size SUV up (with full frame) you can't and if your mechanic does that to yours you can bitch slap him! If in doubt refer to the vehicle owners manual on how to jack the vehicle. I wrenched for Lexus and Toyota and I lifted a lot of cars in my day. I never lifted a truck or full frame SUV at the pinch weld. A Honda CRV (or an small SUV with a Uni-body design) yes because there is no frame. I am not picking on you just opening ideals and thoughts for you. Sliders have been around alot longer than I have been wheeling and the basic design is there for everything that goes offroad. I rather use a much proven design than build a "what I think may be better" Bolting, welding to the frame rail is a more secure mounting option than any pinch-weld or rocker panel with ever be. Plus if you "rubbed" I bet you would have a rough time opening the door again!!! :lol: If you think you can mount them at the pinch weld than go for it, but ask this question. If the pinch weld is strong enough to take the load and hang a slider from it, than why do ya need sliders at all???DanMy instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Wow, thanks for the help man! You seem to be very smart when it comes to this.So if I took these sliders:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyot...ayphotohostingAnd then did something like this for my Jeep unibody:Would that work? I  would Keep a space between the sliders and the pinchweld if that is what is better to do.  But those 3 screws would just be sheetmetal screws, and would not go all the way through.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Yes that L bracket should work well for the unibody rail!I would run that inner slider/tube directly under the pinch weld about 3/8" clearance. It would be "better" IMHO if it was square tube. When the slider is carrying a load and it flexes, BTW they all flex!!! It will be a "secondary brace of sorts" Run your support tube to the the mounting plate. I would use at least use 1/8" wall tubing for the support and 1/4" plate for the mounting plate. Just make sure to tilt the outer rail so it is the same width as your Cherokee  No sheetmetal screws at all. Those will snap and I guess that is where I lost ya on that subject. You need self-tapping bolts or weld them in. I would find a friend that welds or just a much more qualified fabricator than I on here! Plus I am sure if ya search a Jeep forum your can find someone that has done the same with theirs.No I don't consider myself smart. This was before I was welding, I spent quite a few months thinking and consulting/working with a welder that is a friend of the family in designing mine. Ironically I was going to produce these and sell them for Xterras. Life happens!!! I lost my job as a production engineer and steel prices went through the roof. So I called it quits! With some thought and careful planning you can do the same!!!DanLast edited by xccelagator; 03-08-2008 at 11:27 PM.My instructor said someone will catch on fire during class...He wasn't joking!!
Reply:Well, I am definately not welding them directly to the UniBody.Here are about the only sliders available for the ZJ Grand Cherokee's. For $300, I would rather see if I can make my own being I bought a welder last year.http://kevinsoffroad.com/zj/zj_sliderz_1.htmlI'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade