Which Rock Sliders are the Best.

I’m just finishing some additions to my Taco as I prep for a some 2024 trips in the BackCountry of BC, WA, OR.

I have resisted adding rock sliders til now as I just don’t like the look of them. I run an overall 3.5” lift.

Been looking at the RCI 20 degree sliders with step grate.

Any other recommendations?

 

There are a bunch of excellent sliders out there it all comes down to what do you want them to do besides the obvious and what are you willing to pay? I went RCI because they are pretty close to me 1 state away so shipping wasn’t bad, plus I got in on a group buy on Tacoma World. I needed them not to slide on rocks since we don’t have that kind of terrain anywhere around here. But tree stumps and rough deep rut off road is a thing here. I also wanted protection from door dings and any other side damage I could get. I tried the cheap step thing but just about ripped one off since they hang low. My sliders hug my truck really barely notice them but have saved me thousands of dollars in damage since I put them on 2 years ago. I believe it’s money well spent since the upkeep cost is 1 rattle can of black paint. I would say check your area out I’m betting someone close makes a decent set of sliders.

 

Define ‘Best’. Price, strongest, most kickout, step plates, mounting config, etc, etc. I have SDHQ sliders- very strong, very high quality, relatively light, very solid mounting system with mounting points fully forward and fully rearward, extremely tough textured powder coating. They’re also very expensive at $1600.

https://sdhqoffroad.com/collections...current-toyota-tacoma-sdhq-built-rock-sliders

 

I’ve run Metal Tech sliders on all my Land Cruisers and now on my Tacoma and never regret it.

 

Sub'd for updates - thinking about sliders as well.

 

Mobtown, flat with plates.

 

Not much sense in doing plates on angled sliders unless trying to protect paint from rock chips. They won’t work well as steps if that’s what you’re hoping for. 0* sliders with plates are better for steps (but still probably not that good).

Best is subjective. Lowest price by a reputable fab shop is what I would look for. I would either find a used set in your area or the nearest fabricator for the lowest shipping costs.

 

Had rci on 4Runner but decided on cali raised led for the 3rd gen Tacoma. I like them and got them within 4 weeks.

 

To be totally honest I'm thinking about not paying more that 1200$ US (cuz in Canada that is getting dumb in CA dollars). I just keep thinking one of these days Imma hit a rock or the like and it will ding something that costs 2K to fix. Or I'll buy, install, and never hit a damn thing. SO, that's where I am at. RCI is something I can get, same as Cali-Raised and Greenlance.

 

I do really like these and the reviews; but yah... that price... ugh.

 

This! I have the 20° sliders and if they had the plate in them, they would fill up with all kinds of junk. I run a lot of mud and rocks and could only imagine how heavy the truck would be with 6" of mud piled up on top of the sliders. If you are just going for looks and don't run any mud/dirt at all...I guess it wouldn't matter too much but you couldn't use them as a step so it would only be for looks.

 

That is a good point re collection of debris and material from the trail. Appreciate that!

 

Who sells RCI up here?

 

Last I heard, https://rcimetalworks.com. You can walk into their showroom in Colorado, but they still usually have lead times on all orders. I ordered an engine skid that took 6 weeks. I added transmission skid and catalytic converter covers in a second order, and those shipped within a week (probably the "flat" transmission skid vs the "bent, welded" engine skid). "On the shelf" is not common for big metal off-roading parts from popular manufacturers.

 

If I am correct @WormSquirts can get you hooked up. Cheers!

 

WestCoast Offroaders

Yes they can; Cali-Raised and some others. Greenlane maybe too.

 

I just put RCI 5* sliders on mine. Long story, but I currently have one side with the top plate and the other side w/o. The build quality on them seem excellent, and customer service is very responsive. It did take about 3 months for them to arrive though.

 

Very few people have installed enough different sliders in order to give you a meaningful review. They are also very simple devices. Many people weld them up in their garage.

Do some research and decide if you want bolt-on vs weld-on, angle, kick out or no kick-out, dom vs hrew tubing, price, lead time, and shipping expense.

Also, are you sure you even need sliders? Going into the back country doesn’t in itself convince me that you need them. They have downsides including expense, ease of entering the truck, and weight. If you have never smacked a rocker panel on the ground in your life, you might not need them.

 

I’ve had a couple sets, and they are off now. Last time I was out my skids got fairly scraped up, but not the rocker. Even crawling over some fairly large/tall rocks (not rock crawling, but tall rocks and an incline that required 4lo, atrac and the rear locked) on the trail.

 

My rock sliders and front skid have many scars.