Retractable rockguard and steps

Anyone have installed retractable steps or rockguard steps?

I have been looking on the web and youtube and there are some of them. Amp Reasearch make retractable steps for the tundra, but have seen videos on youtube of them installed in a taco (not sure if is the kit that comes for the tundra or any other. The problem: they are sold for $1,500, too much for my budget!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=liuWBgQfccM

Also Rampage made retractable rockguard/steps for the jeep wrangler wich may fit on the tacos if adapted. They are in the $350 range, more affordable.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HoyrHeusfq8

http://www.rampageproducts.com/Catalog/Page20.html


Any advice???

 

why the want for retractable? Just curious?

 

Ehhhh I'd steer clear of making anything move that's sole purpose is to get bashed across rocks. It's a good idea, I just don't see it ending well.

 

Sliders are better IMO...

 

if your purpose is soley to assist in getting in and out of the vehicle then knock yourself out, but if you plan on offroading and possibly hitting them, rocksliders are the way to go. Plus you can step on a rock slider to help get into the truck if need be.

 

Oh the rich fat bastards will love these.

 

Sliders suck as steps and believe it or not , there are Tacoma owners that need steps a lot more than sliders

 

I don't believe that. April fools was yesterday Pete.

 

Yeah! When it comes to sliders, I don't know if they would be good for side steps or not. I've never owned sliders.

 

depends really, you could get some custom made to come out furthur. My allpro sliders arent very good near the cab but towards the bed at the flare out they are awesome for hoping in the bed real quick.

 

i was stepping on some square tube sliders on a heep once, i was like man these are pretty good just as step

 

Square maybe , most Tacoma sliders are round tube and tucked tight to the body and are generally too high for anyone that actually NEEDS a step

 

I like them more for how they look than how they will performe when hit a rock. I am thinking on fabricating, or adapting, "thin step pads" over them to make them good for steps. Also make them powered.

If I was thinking on hard off roading will better use solid fixed rock sliders instead.

Another question:
Normally, the rock sliders are attached to the body or chassis frame itself?

 

You should be careful about asking questions before you really think about what you are asking. Around here especially....

the answer is what you would expect

 

Frame

 

I can say this is true. My sliders are round and for my parents getting into my truck they have to step higher to get onto the slider and then into the truck. Also, I have slipped trying to get it on the round sliders when they were wet. (don't have any abrasive tape yet.)

For the op, if you truly need a step getting into your truck and are not looking to be in a environment where your rockers could be damaged by terrain, then you should be fine with this steps or any other steps (westin, aries, who ever else makes them). Although, these power steps claim to come down further maybe making it easier to get in, so maybe that's the route for you.

Other than that, any step that is not a slider will bend and possible cause more damage, if you plan to take it on terrain where your rockers are vulnerable.

 

Couldn't agree more. I've got sliders that are probably as close to a step as you can get and they are still tucked up pretty high to be a useful step. I got the BAMF sliders with the filler plates and had Jerry set them pretty flat so they stick out a good ways away from the truck. The fill plates make for a large stepping surface (so you get away from the round bar) but they are still tucked up right next to the body (as any good slider should be) so the difference in height between the door jamb and the 'step' is inches only. If you NEED a step, get a step, sliders are not a replacement for a lower hanging side step nor are they meant to be.

 

Neither....................

Presently running Amp research powersteps, albeit one of a few here that do so . Perhaps my fave mod...........................

Ultimately, retractable steps v.s. sliders inhabit two different worlds. Which do you prefer ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=690ZQqOqhyQ