Colorado B.S. Thread

I don't recall exactly which paint I used like 6 years ago.

I'm partial to the Ace house brand enamel for anything and everything now.

 

I guess what was trying to get at was... you just primed it and painted it yourself with spraypaint? Because you obviously got it "in the white" (i.e. NOT powder coated or anything...)

 

Yes, I got it in bare metal and rattle canned it.

I not a fan of power coating for any armor if you plan on playing the rocks. You'll just scrape it all off and have to paint it anyways.

 

Copy that.

If I want to join you guys on some of your forays on the trails here in Colorado... what should I be thinking in terms of armor? I definitely figure sliders. And I know my gas tank skid plate is toast (rusted). But what else? Is a good set of sliders all I really need to start, or are there some other "must haves" or "strongly recommendeds"?

Regarding sliders on a 1st gen... what are recommendations -- brand / kickouts? / HREW or DOM / bolt-ons or welded?

 

Imo... Sliders are one of the best first pieces of armor.

But it also depends on how you drive.

I don't mind going slower, and making sure I'm picking a good line even if it means getting out and checking. Some people just bash their way through stuff. Neither is right or wrong, just different. Bashing through stuff technique could definitely use skids first.

I ran stock skids on my taco for a long while with only sliders. My skids we mashed up pretty well but everything was fine underneath.

 

But... but... but..

You're the Stig!!! I thought the Stig was all about going fast and looking cool...


I would say I am not a basher... but will be a line picker. If I had the cash, I'd put a Marlin Tacobox on it... and walk her up. But...

So with regards to sliders... how much $$ should I figure? $500? $800? More? DOM or HREW, or does it not really matter if 1) I'm not going to be doing this often and 2) I will probably tend to NOT be a basher but 3) I will also be a noob...

Also... does it matter bolted or welded?

And are kickouts in front of the rear wheels worth it, or just hype?

 

Yeah, I don't need sliders for fire roads or scenic stuff... I'm thinking I'd like to be able to do some of the stuff @Squeaky Penguin did in the
Crystal Lakes-Georgia Pass-Red Cone-Webster Pass, CO thread.

 

This right here is it. A lot of preference. Most we can do is offer our opinions.

Personally I'd say get the kick out. Mine has saved me from a few trees granted I was just hitting "go" when I hit them

Most of the guys here with weld-on wish they had bolt on because of the simplicity to take off and paint during the off-season.

As for paint or powder coat, I chose to paint mine myself. Spent $60 at Lowe's for paint and had plenty left over. As opposed to $150 for powder coating. I did 3 coats of self-etching primer, 2 coats of flat black enamel, and 3 coats of bed liner. Looked perfect in the end.

Most people will say DOM is better than HREW simply because it's stronger. I watched those 4xinnovations videos @In4aride was talking about. Good information there to help you along.

 

Oh don't get me wrong.. I'll haul ass off-road and when conditions and vehicle is correct for it. As far as cool... yeah that's the other Stig, not me But when I did do more rock crawling type of stuff, i was in no hurry...slow and steady. I'm over that stuff now, anything slower than hiking speed, I'll hike. And at that, i did take the tundra on some stupid shit that i shouldn't have and wish i would've had sliders...had some minor gouges out of the drivers doors that wouldn't have happened with sliders.

Last year I did some of the Alpine Loop, imogene, Argentine, and some spurs that were more difficult than i wanted. And @kashtyaatsi drove it down Black Bear. Never had a worry about wanting skids on anything...other than the horrible departure angle...a rear bumper skid would be nice.

My perks of sliders were they make a great door ding protector, are a great step if you have a roof rack with stuff on it, help with rocker/door damage.

Mine were bolt on RCI with the kick out. I think they were $5-600? I liked them and the kick out since it was enough to help but not obnoxious. Some sliders look like they could be plated and be wings they stick out so far. But to each their own.

I used them a lot, they were always getting scratched up and used them all the time for roof access.

And I'm with others in the anti powdercoat club...i bought mine on sale and powdercoat was the only option. I sanded down and removed it where you could see rust growing under it. But if you actually use the armor it's much easier to paint them so you can touch them up as needed. I did it pretty often and just needed primer and black paint.

I was looking for a picture of how the kick out does work, even though my technique did not work out perfectly, couldn't find it but saw this pic in there...speaking of black bear.

 

Happy Birthday @Stig
Brandon!!!

 

Thanks! Wish i could've slept in!

 

All you need is a no care attitude! He likes going on trails like steel bender and metal masher... I had the 4xinnovations weld on dom with kick out sliders on the Tacoma. I only wished I got bolt on when it came time to sell the truck since I couldn’t easily remove them. I am going to get the same exact sliders for the GX though. Can’t go wrong for the price.

 

Happy birthday!

 

$400, looks great. My truck was only 3 years old, so not sure if there was any color-matching or if they just used the factory paint color.

 

Hickey Burpey to the fast one...

 

WFA is for sure of knowledge gaining variety, WFR can go either way. The original post was about Wilderness EMT and thats how you get Paid to ride in ambulances during forest fires.

NOLS offers these and several local outdoor businesses (I believe REI has them).
https://www.nols.edu/en/coursefinder/courses/wilderness-first-aid-WFA/

 

Sliders are a must and then I'd get some skids if you plan on being in the rocks, a good piece of mind. As for sliders I'd get a DOM with a kickout (it's saved my ass a few times and a good step to get into the bed) and I don't know of any first gen that is bolt on. I mean you can if you wanna drill thru the frame.

I'd suggest 4x Innovations if you have access to a welder as they're the cheapest but require more work. BAMF and Relentless makes great sliders too but more expensive

 

Those Rim Rocker badge holders- He is wondering about access with 26' Camper trailer.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rimrocker-travel-trailer.597245/

 

Concerns, mentions of 2018 Tacoma and 26' trailer. While lots of the Colorado side by Montrose could be traveled with a trailer that size there are switchbacks that will challenge rookies and their mobile homes. Park that trailer around Nutria and base camp from there.