Rock Sliders. Custom made for this Toyota Landcruiser

In order to get the Dumpster Fire fj80 / Lexus Lx450 ready for the OnX Offroad build challenge I fabricate a set of custom rocksliders This is a long video, but it moves pretty fast and has many tips and tricks.
follow my social media:
Instagram. Dirthead_dave
Facebook. the dirthead shed
Cnc plasma cutting
Arcdroid plasma
Mig welding.
Tube Bending
offroad, overland,
overlanding, wheeling,
metal fab
ameribrade
rogue fab bender
Dirt Lifestyle
Mischief Maker
Bleepin Jeep
Rudys Adventure and Design
Harbor Freight
Toy tacoma

[@CACressida]

The "Dumpster Fire" turned out to be the Picasso of the competition. You guys definitely are showing the world the fj80 doesn't need to be re-engineered to compete yet you dedicated your time with cranking out some truly beautiful work.

[@DesertRox]

I think you hit the nail on the head! The ramcharger build kills me specifically because of this.

[@CACressida]

@@DesertRox i just can't watch that build without making WTF faces. It makes you wanna call Matt to rescue the build.

[@thedirtheadshed]

I appreciate that. It’s a clean rig

[@caseymuzio7609]

Do you ever find yourself getting hung up on the kicker bars

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yeah. They take more time than the whole rest of the job

[@lennyross2813]

I like ‘em! When I welded mine onto my 80 I added square plates on the frame to disperse the load. I am curious how this style handles the weight of the 80 when it nails a rock

[@thedirtheadshed]

I initially planned to. But didn’t feel it was necessary

[@xavior718]

I would’ve done plates on the frame knowing how hard Nate goes on the trails.

[@EvanMoon]

Only you can prevent body damage

[@thedirtheadshed]

I can’t. We all know that

[@saltymethods2637]

I would put a plate over the face of those lower rear trailing arms front mounts. On my 100-series, banging those on the rocks, the weld down the center splits eventually.

[@thedirtheadshed]

That’s in the works

[@americonoffroadadventures8132]

The odd couple working to make Summit Great. Good job fellas

[@thedirtheadshed]

I would like to go one day

[@blkmoon5596]

Always a pleasure to watch a master at work!!!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks so much!

[@BPF80MCar-vi1pg]

A MASTERbater. Sorry had to do it. I love the White Dave Chappell

[@blkmoon5596]

@@BPF80MCar-vi1pg lol

[@groomnzoom7860]

Do you think the voters know that you go on UA as a crony every year, so they are voting for the other teams? Having said that, i think UA, and motortrend would be crazy not to invite all three teams to go anyway. UA has never had so much press and praise. UA has been a corporate ceo retreat for way too long. The videos are short, under produced, with boring naration, and almost nonexistent interviews. They have an opportunity to invite 6 youtubers with massive followings and creative rigs that tens of thousands of fans have been following. All the youtubers would hype and film the adventure on their own channels. The off-road industry CEO's can already go anywhere anytime, and their rigs cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, so they are totally unrelatable. UA could be a real adventure instead of a CEO retreat where CEO'S congradulate themselves for having all of the money. They need to go back to their private jets where they belong. Motortrend would see a massive boost in subscriptions. Why would they want to film and hype a corporate kiss ass trip anyway?

[@thedirtheadshed]

I know a lot of people in the offroad industry. And I have yet to see any private jets. If you know of any send them my way. I’d like to go for a rip.

[@groomnzoom7860]

Dave, i have loved watching you work and play for years, and your friends like Vern, Christian, Steven Watson in the same blazer every year, are awesome. When you watch the UA videos most of the interviews consist of ' so&so from big company x' in his brand new jeep build. You and your friends make guys like me in my old isuzu, feel like price point isn't a barrier to enjoying the sport. Don't you feel like a hero when you do stuff like take a jeep out of a junk yard and go right to UA with it? Or complete the trip with a 25 year old mazda motor? I am literally screaming "you can do it dave!"at the tv, When you are bouncing and hopping to get get up an obstacle.

[@justacarfan]

Two of the best fabricators online, great to see you working together.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Much appreciated

[@elray2007]

I use a scrap piece of the 1.75 tube and slide it on the drill handle when notching... I've been smacked in the head with a drill before, the tube helps a keep the drill from that

[@thedirtheadshed]

Gives the drill a longer handle to whack you with

[@rediron44]

I really like that FJ..its sweet. Good video. You've done well with all the editing. We need DIRTHEAD SHED shirts...lol

[@thedirtheadshed]

I’ve got them. Shoot me a message on Instagram and we will figure that out

[@jeffbrevelle2095]

Thanks for the great explanation on your thought process and how you managed the build. What went where and when.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks for following along. It was quite the process

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Well done Sir, love your fab work!! Thanks for pointers.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks for the support

[@OneTwo-wt8qv]

Just saw the ROADKILL with RODKNOCK in MOAB .. lol .. want more of you on MOTORTTREND !!! conspicuous absence of another personality .. oh well .. UR channel is getting better and better 😏

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks so much

[@max7143]

Maz Grande and Mom’s Spaghetti rock sliders will be into the body/ doors under a few whiskey rock slams. I’ve had to cut and reweld so many sliders. Sadly, to build a solid set of bomb proof sliders they have to weigh near 500lbs lol.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yeah. Anything can and will bend with enough abuse.

[@richwood8650]

Hands down my favorite off road fab dude! Great job once again Dave. Making it so i can understand is a job in itself! Thank you again.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks so much

[@Johntasticful]

You guys should do more videos. Other teams are out pacing.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yep. They are putting in a ton of work

[@OneTwo-wt8qv]

Starting on fitting sliders and a tube rear bump on the Silverado after 2023 UA Loui V10's success and see how Bleepinjeeps S10 works .. looking for Dana 60 : ) .. Gee u sure are a regular on Motortrend lately ...... hope that gets u ur own show

[@thedirtheadshed]

Nice. Hope it turns out well!

[@jesseyjulson1967]

Insane work as usual. Man I really hope I can get stationed up in washington before you retire so I can bug you to let me be an apprentice and learn from you.

[@thedirtheadshed]

I’ll probably work till I croak

[@danielcarroll5667]

I'm always amazed at how many hours there must be in a Dirthead day , please give yourself a break now & then , great work , as always Man...

[@thedirtheadshed]

I was freaking exhausted at the end of the video

[@88HillTop]

I've been waiting

[@thedirtheadshed]

Hopefully this keeps you stoked on it

[@Kyle-ev4fk]

How do you decide whether or not to use plates on the frame? Are gussets like you used a common practice? Thank you for the killer videos.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Just kinda comes down to how tall the frame is, and if it had a bunch of other stuff welded to it close by.

[@BS.Wickman]

I like the sliders from Chilis better

[@thedirtheadshed]

Way more enjoyable

[@theericbenson1692]

I just did sliders on my 2nd gen 4runner. The rockers were already smashed somehow... I cut the rockers out and welded 2 pieces of rec tube corner to corner. I welded those to the pinch seam and along the top. Fully welded. They are so strong! All just body mounted. I went to moab last month and hammered on them hard AF. The driver's side literally broke a chunk of rock out of a step on Jalepeno. It just had a little chunk of paint missing.. Anyways, good job on the fj and everything else. I'm not tech savvy either. I just melt metal, drill holes, break stuff, and fix stuff. Every day!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Nice! That’s a preferred method of mine too

[@theericbenson1692]

I've watched you and Fred since I was a kid. I hope to meet you in person on the trail someday. You'll know me when you see me.. I'm the guy in a Toyota doing the funnest lines, with a red beard, a bunch of cute kids, a good woman behind me in her big black toyota, and an Italian mastiff... Living the dream. Party because of you.

[@akhill4898]

RZR 1000 with a VW beatle body . Or can am - beatle , people are doing this as a loophole so they can use their UTVs on the streets , look it up here on the tube . Your gonna want to make one after you see it .

[@thedirtheadshed]

Oh, I’m fully aware of the swaps. They are way cool

[@mikepoint4717]

Another win for Dirt head , is it me but welding is so therapeutic lol . Cheers 🇨🇦

[@thedirtheadshed]

It is pretty good when it’s good!

[@suchefinde]

What's the technology you have been avoiding that you used to cut the end caps? You gotta post some links to stuff in your vids!

[@thedirtheadshed]

That Arcdroid cnc

[@hoeynoey7451]

Love this video, great to see a longer episode!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks. Glad you didn’t get bored with it

[@Hartz187]

I Needed that…good info for one of my Todo stuff in the next years to come👊 All the best from upnorth Norway

[@thedirtheadshed]

Cheers! Thanks for watching

[@danfay4860]

Remember when you built your shop, how big it was. Funny how fast it fills up.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yep. The key is to not let the clutter get out of hand. Mine is getting there

[@rediron44]

Ironworker here. When I built handrail in the field.I always cut those fishmouths with a cutting torch..lol. got pretty good at it. That notcher woulda been sweet.

[@thedirtheadshed]

It’s like cheating. The old way is the way to learn

[@jonenstrom1694]

Heat shielding fabric used for sweating copper pipe in tight wall areas works great. It was the only thing between my roll bar and headliner for my 12 point cage in my 71 Mach 1. I've soldered custom battery cables right on the fender. Great work.

[@thedirtheadshed]

I was wondering where my blue demon cloth was

[@Vagitarian01]

Hah! I was asking about this very thing when he was doing the interior cage.

[@AtlasOffRoad]

Great video dude! Been looking forward to this one!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks!

[@johnvilleneuve7944]

This channel should take off quick. You have a lot of loyal fans that value your work and skills. Thanks for keeping the show going brother 🤙 Top notch sliders

[@thedirtheadshed]

I appreciate that! I’m looking forward to where it goes

[@dobrzpe]

if you insist on continuing to call that a "toyota" - stay consistent: call your mazda a "ford".

[@thedirtheadshed]

The year mazda I have had no affiliation with ford. The Mazda/ford collaboration was on the 70’s-82? Courier, then started again in 94? with that bubble Ranger

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Rock sliders looks great finished just Stunning with the black against the orange

[@thedirtheadshed]

It’s nice to finish things off

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@thedirtheadshed I bet

[@scottburrow8717]

Ya always great to see you custom make stuff. Very talented guy!! They really messed up letting your guys show go away. Dirt EveryDay was my favorite show when it was on tv.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you. Those were good days

[@cambertels5332]

When can we expect Dirt Head universal slider kits to drop?

[@thedirtheadshed]

I don’t know. Never though about making them

[@devil2jz500]

Absolutely love your videos! Keep up the great work! I’m always TERRIFIED of welding on chassis. I’m scared of stress cracks.

[@thedirtheadshed]

You can fix then

[@devil2jz500]

@@thedirtheadshed you are not wrong. I’m gathering parts for a Cummins 6BT 12 valve on my 92’ Land Cruiser, and I have been thinking a lot about making a few braces to strengthen the chassis.

[@charlestiffany1526]

When bending HREW, do you bend with the seam inside the bend or outside?

[@thedirtheadshed]

Inside whenever possible

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Custom rock sliders coming along sweet looks good

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@thedirtheadshed anytime

[@brandonbaldwin6845]

You should pair up with the guys at Grind Hard Plumbing Co. over in the Sandpoint area to build Ethan's Tacoma "Crunchy Taco" crawler! Would be an awesome collaboration!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Oh I will! I talk to Ethan regularly

[@brandonbaldwin6845]

@@thedirtheadshed awesome! Can't wait to see it, should be epic!

[@FreddyFunderbunz]

I’m omw to go buy a samurai, and it needs new rock sliders

[@thedirtheadshed]

I could go for another samurai

[@4x4_mark]

Samurai's are pretty cool

[@FreddyFunderbunz]

Just got home from picking it up. It has a Nissan ka24de swap. Nice lil surprise

[@Nkuhani]

It’s really great Job. I am wondering about the thickness of pipe did use!!! Could you please let us know. Thanks bro,

[@thedirtheadshed]

1 3/4 .120 round tube. So just under 1/8” thick

[@Nkuhani]

@@thedirtheadshed Thanks a lot,

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Rock sliders oh yeah

[@thedirtheadshed]

👌

[@OneTwo-wt8qv]

... the build in action on Dirt lifestyle .. Rockers looked good ..

[@thedirtheadshed]

Nice. It’s a cool rig

[@Calaveras32Spcl]

How do you avoid frying the electronics in a vehicle when you weld on it?

[@thedirtheadshed]

I ground close to my weld area. Never had a problem. Knock on wood

[@kailuagarage]

Have to start calling you TechHead Dave

[@thedirtheadshed]

That’s not me man

[@jraddd3477]

So question for ya, Shouldn't the main slider bar be directly over that seam? I built mine from other sliders I had built for the runner but they didn't line up to that seam so wondering if I should use another bar to cover that seam since its the lowest point. I built mine out if square tubing though and the already weigh around 50 lbs before adding the crossbar if I do.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Don’t overthink it. Just build and enjoy

[@jraddd3477]

@@thedirtheadshed Lol for sure! dumping enough time and money into it though it happens haha

[@WisdomInTheWoods]

That rig is so slick! Voted Dupster fire

[@thedirtheadshed]

Much appreciated

[@chrisherrmann9627]

Awesome sliders, good explanation

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you. Glad it wasn’t too boring

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

That machine to automate cutting is going to be a amazing game changer when you get used to it down the road

[@thedirtheadshed]

Let’s hope so

[@RM_Garage]

Looking great. These 80 series don't have many options for weld on sliders - most are bolt on, I think because of the exhaust and how it wraps over the frame and changes depending on obd1/2 models. Nice custom work!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you. Yeah. They can get really complicated with the stock cat

[@colebertils7359]

Really dig the sliders Dave! Never built anything like that myself. But I learn new stuff from your projects 🤘🏼

[@thedirtheadshed]

Right on! That’s the goal

[@MacsSpecialitiesMotorsports]

Totally agreed!!

[@floydstowe]

Awesome fabricator good looking sliders

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you

[@TheKustomBeardoh]

Those look awesome! Your fab skills are so good.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@snivesz32]

I’m about ready to build mine, but instead of marking angles on the bench and worrying about symmetry I find it more accurate to define the position by way of constraints. Using a simple 3/4”wooden block as an offset from the body to position the slider rail. Then connect the supports to the chassis wherever there is room. Then the angle is defined by the constraint that it must not be higher than the door. The “poke” is defined by the tire extents. It pretty much defines its location itself.

[@jackmehoff2961]

Thank You for sharing your video Dave .

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks for watching it

[@mickeysrccrawl]

Now i need to make rocksliders 😥 😅 well done Dave.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Cnc plasma cutters are amazing

[@thedirtheadshed]

They really are

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@thedirtheadshed you will be wondering how you got things done without it after you get used to it

[@tevitatupouniua2930]

Looking like the winner for sure 🤙🏾

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks. Bleepin jeep is running away with it though

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Always amazing to watch a master at work

[@thedirtheadshed]

I’m still learning every day

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@thedirtheadshed great thing about life We never stop learning

[@mathisprice8831]

Killer fab work! 🤙🏻 where can I get one of those dirt head shed shirts?!

[@thedirtheadshed]

I am gonna sell them soon: trying To get the Shopify store set up

[@mathisprice8831]

Awesome! Keep the content coming.

[@deeppowhazylab]

Great video, like the design of the rock sliders, they looks super clean and stout. Very excited to see what this rig can do!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Me too! Thanks

[@SantiSpeed1]

Hey Dave, what do you do for a regular job when you’re not in the shop?

[@thedirtheadshed]

I work at a shop building rigs. Doing lifts, etc

[@SantiSpeed1]

@@thedirtheadshed right on 👍

[@JimBosGarage49]

Just want to tell you I got me a mom’s spaghetti. Mine going to be more mall crawler and light wheeler. Dana 44 front and 9 inch in the rear with 35 on it. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Also still waiting for your and Fred to do something together. Love both you guys.

[@thedirtheadshed]

That will be a fun rig. I’d like to build a long travel ttb one

[@JimBosGarage49]

I’m sure if you do it will be awesome.

[@mh-qq2hj]

I’d love to have half of your talent!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you for the compliment

[@4lodad77]

Badass!! Always appreciate your craftsmanship and attention to detail. You make it look easy!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks! Still a ton of work

[@ebalmes]

Hey dave! Thanks for waving to my kid today right there at the Yellowstone trail! We had a fun day riding bikes at 4th of July pass! So cool seeing your Mazda, and you!!!!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Nice! It was beautiful out there

[@Blobby_Hill]

I will never understand why people avoid CNC. Having that skill makes your metalwork more percise and you a more advanced fabricator.

[@thedirtheadshed]

For me I am always building one off parts and am pretty fast at it. The computer seems like it will slow me down for a while

[@keithalbrecht4785]

Nice job on the rock sliders! I hope Hollie will be ably to compete in off road challenge, after she broke her back!! Hope she heals up fast!!!

[@thedirtheadshed]

For real. Hope it’s a quick and full recovery

[@SammyTheDitchDoctor]

Hey Dave, if you guys don’t win the vote you’ll still get to go on UA as a crony as usual right?

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yep!

[@SammyTheDitchDoctor]

@@thedirtheadshed good. I hope On-x let’s all 3 teams go though I know it’s not a choice but I’m torn. I didn’t think you’d be giving up your usual spot but wanted to make sure as I’m trying to put some actual thought in to my daily voting.

[@dirtyfingersgarage]

another one glove Michael Jackson welder...lol... Wish those Arcdroid units were around when I got my Lincoln table would have saved me a ton of $$$ You will wonder how you ever lived without it soon enough. Great build hope you guys win the OnX challenge

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yeah, I have a bunch of burned up right gloves and new left ones

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Them welds lools Gorgeous

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

@@thedirtheadshed very welcome

[@chriswheeler4255]

Great job and you are my vote for the right guy for the job

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks. Cheers

[@matthewgoins87]

We gotta get some more votes 😂

[@thedirtheadshed]

I know!! Spread the word

[@matthewgoins87]

@@thedirtheadshed Iv sent it to all of my buddies. I was vote 13,340 😁

[@masterdriftr8780]

Good stuff!! I need these on my Sequoia!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks. Yeah you do!

[@Angrykromag]

well done sir, ya look a little spent

[@thedirtheadshed]

I was wiped out

[@waldnernick1]

Nate missed a spooootttt with paint.

[@thedirtheadshed]

20 footer

[@matthewhofherr7690]

Dave, I have an FJ62 with crusty rocker panels and quarter panels. My plan is to chop the quarter panels and add wrap around protection from the rear swing out bumper. For the rockers, rather than patch in new panels I was thinking of cutting out the rot and welding in 2x4 or 2x6 tube as "body mounted sliders". Do you have any issues with the sliders on Mom's Spaghetti being welded to the body and frame? My plan was to just have them welded to the body but I've thought about adding kickers to the frame but I'm worried about tieing the body and frame. The FJ isn't a rock crawler or heavy wheeler, I don't really need heavy duty sliders and I figured the body mounted "sliders" would be easier than doing body work and would give me maximum ground clearance.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Any decent protection helps.

[@Skiridr22]

I have seen that Mazda in action 😊

[@thedirtheadshed]

It’s a good one. Gonna take it out tomorrow

[@davidsawyer1599]

When you look at your analytics. You observe what may appear as not interested. The time watched is not necessarily the entire duration of your uploads. It's not that folks checked out. They got interrupted numerous times before they could finally sit down and watch it in its entirety.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks. It like follow along with the analytics. It’s a great resource

[@effinhaoli808]

Cage and sliders came out top notch, nice work Dave 🤙🏽

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you

[@archangel7673]

I'm pulling for you and Nate. So far you guys have the best looking rig!!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks! It’s simple and should work well

[@robschaffer2189]

These look great! I think I'm going to try making a pair for my '68 Bronco. I just bought an Arcdroid for work and the team and I love it. I, too, have tried to avoid technology but I've found that with the Arcdroid once you get the basic instructions down on the screen it's relatively simple. An issue I ran into was the grub bolts that hold the belt pulleys on came loose and it started cutting ovals instead of circles.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Good to hear you are able to use it. That gives me hope

[@othoapproto9603]

What pleasure to watch your videos. Your language to describe both your thoughts and action are wonderful. The editing continuity leaves little room for confusion.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Filming myself as I build, and trying to do it in a timely manner is difficult

[@Fix_It_Again_Tony]

Love these episodes. Are you sure that's a Nate-approved technique on those pinch weld mods? :)

[@thedirtheadshed]

I’m sure it’s not

[@brucea822]

I’m hoping ALL 3 builds get to join the event

[@thedirtheadshed]

That would be cool

[@brucea822]

@@thedirtheadshed indeed it would Dumpster is awesome The S10 is going to be so cool - Iconic And the Ram is well The Ram I vote all three 👍

[@MAJORAUTO]

Just when I thought I was getting somewhere on my fabrication skills, I see this. Definitely one of my favorite video, seeing you in your element and so informative 👍 baaaaaaaaadasssssss

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks! Glad you dig

[@stevenoles132]

If you ever have any questions about your new plasma cutter table, talk to fab rats, they have the same one, I think your one of his idols 😉

[@thedirtheadshed]

I talked to Paul when I was getting mine

[@CaptainSkidmark74]

Good stuff per usual!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks!

[@JeepnJeff]

Those Arcdroids are cool. No more having to dedicate a lot of floor space is a really nice. You're welds look great. They're better than what I can do.

[@thedirtheadshed]

I agree. The Arcdroid is pretty awesome. And thanks on the welds

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

I'm loving the dirt head shed , why couldn't we have had dave for our metal shop teacher back in highschool ,we would have built some awesome stuff.

[@thedirtheadshed]

That would be a good job

[@BigDreamInMotion]

Wait, what did you do with the cat area?

[@thedirtheadshed]

Symmetrical. Nate had the cat moved

[@RCJesus420]

I really dig how you did the sliders on Mom's Spaghetti. I think I'm going to do the same thing on my Bronco. I was wondering if something like that would look good and work well, and it seems it does. I'll paint the tube body color, and no one will even notice them, perfect.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Nice. Get er done

[@tylermoss5851]

For the algorithm!

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks

[@jessedavis4699]

Now that’s a nice set of sliders! Great video

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thanks so much

[@saturnfivehynrgrc581]

Good stuff Dave.

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you

[@jakeofallterrains9048]

As a guy who wheels in an 80 series, as hard as I can, I highly suggest quarter panel protection as well as some front fender protection! These things are big enough to burn diesel and if you get them on a side-hill, well there goes that Bodyline. 🎉

[@thedirtheadshed]

Yep. My old cruiser was hammered from lack of protection

[@davidchappelle6480]

Nice Job Dave !👍

[@thedirtheadshed]

Thank you!