Side Step/Rock Slider selection help?

I've tried to search for an answer and maybe I'm just too much of an idiot to find what I'm looking for, so forgive me if this has been discussed, but I'm shopping for side steps or rock sliders... or, ahem, "Santa" is shopping for them... I have a 2017 access cab, and I'm not seeing anything definitively made for that option. HOWEVER, I did find, and seem to now understand that as far as chassis design, the 4dr short bed is the same as my access cab long bed in regards to length. So, with that being said, should I just be looking at the 4dr short bed options when it comes to what I'm shopping for? Did I answer my own question? I've seen a thread or two about cutting length off, but that was about powered drop down running boards, and I'm not doing all that. I just want something that will help my tiny little 5 foot nothing lady crawl up into the passenger side with less struggle, and also give me a little more aggressive look that is still capable of protecting the rocker panels if I ever do anything more intense later down the road. Right now, I'm not sure what sort of budget I'm on because I'm just looking at the moment, but I typically sort my pages from "price: low to high"

 

Yes, for 2nd and 3rd gens access cabs and DCSBs use the same sliders.

 

Thank you for the quick response... I kinda figured that was the answer, just needed to see it from someone else.

 

for sliders that attach to the farme 2nd/3rd ACLB and DCSB are interchangable
for steps that bolt to points in the floor of the cab they are different between ACLB and DCSB

 

good to know! for stability, I'd assume bolting to the frame would be the best option, so I'm probably going to go that route.

 

Do you offroad?

Yes: Sliders

No: Side steps

Sliders will be 2-3x the price of steps depending on what steps you buy.
Now is the time to buy either as good ol Black Friday sales are in town… if you can pick up local you won’t have to pay tons for shipping.
Most rock sliders ship freight and will cost upwards of $250.

 

I'm absolutely seeing a definitive difference in price between steps and sliders, so I'm taking that into consideration for sure. I don't think I'm going to be doing much off road mayhem with my Tacoma. I have a Jeep TJ I've dumped money into over the years for that, so my truck is more or less for daily driving, towing my little utility trailer, and the occasional weekend tailgate camping/fishing trip with the craziest terrain being mediocre gravel roads. I'm thinking side steps are going to be the way to go.

 

For steps that help shorter people in I'd recommend the Rough Country AL2s. They are perfect for my 82 year old grandma as she can use the platform to get in my truck. I don't force her to ride in my truck. She just enjoys riding in my truck. Good winter step traction. They are super light weight as they are all aluminum. I've had mine for 2 years and 40k miles and I still haven't found a rock chip.

 

I have a pair of very good condition step bars (No dings, or major scratches/dents) from my 2020 DCLB that I swapped out for rock sliders. They are great looking, and they are for sale. They are the oval ones that came with my new truck when I bought it in 2020, and not the Predator model ones (I prefer the oval model over the predator version with the step). I too live in NC, and the you could save yourself some shipping seeing you too live in NC. Let me know, and we'll talk.

 

I'll take a look at them if you have some pics, and you want to DM me and let me know what you're asking for them.

 

Will get pictures for you. Asking $150.00 but you will have to supply the hardware for bolting them on. Stay tuned.

 

Tyger bars from Walmart are probably the best value for the buck. You can climb on them, and they do a really good job of powder coating them, unlike some more expensive brands.

 

I'll 2nd the Tyger bars but will warn you they stick out away's which will protect your doors but for a long legged guy like me they change how you enter and exit the truck (stock height 16') that said my 5'-2" wife had to learn to get in like getting on a horse. They don't mount to the frame and the rear tab seems to always need a bit of persuading to line up but once you hit it a couple times all is well. Got them off Amazon for $350.00 DTMD.

Cheers,

Doc