Looking for rock sliders as dual purpose step

I'm looking for rock sliders that stick out the sides enough to make a low-profile step for when I need to access the top of the cab. Any suggestions?

 

Most sliders will work as a step just make sure you select the zero degree option and get some dimpled fill plates.

It's the 10-20 degree options that tuck the sliders close to the body and make them difficult to use as a step.

 

Any zero degree slider from a kit, to a weld on, or to a bolt on will work as a step. The only decision is fill plates or not. Those are not necessarily needed.

Mine are just a kit that a great guy welded up for me.

 

I have RCI rock sliders with the 5 degree angle and the top plate option. They work great as a step when putting stuff on the roof rack. Also makes it easier for the wife to get in. The 5 degree angle has also kept rocks/trees from contacting the side of the truck.
Just from what I have experienced.

 

Honestly, any slider will work as a step to get things from up top, regardless of degree of angle. Standing on round tube is always going to be standing on round tube. That being said, the least amount of angle, the more toe room overhang you get towards the cab. Obviously less degree with fill plates provides the most stability, but any will work if you're comfortable standing on round tube.

Using sliders as a step to get in the cab, thats a different story. They generally sit up too high, and if you step on them, you have to kinda bend down to get into the cab. Doesn't really matter what degree, what fill plate option, sliders tuck up too high to be used as a "comfortable" step to get into the cab.

If you do go any option without fill plates, people may suggest grip tape on top so you don't slip and slide. From my experience, just take your chances at falling and breaking your neck and back and skip that shit; thats honestly probably still better than your wife or kid hopping out and grip tape road-rashing all the way down the back of their leg. Ask me how I know The nice "steps" I put on the truck became a "stupid truck mod" very quickly after that happened more than once or twice.. And it became evident they weren't steps at all.

 

I went with the RCI 0 Degree sliders to double as steps for my wife and kids. As others have mentioned they work well for reaching the roof but haven't really worked out as steps for me (6'). They sit high enough from the ground that they are at an awkward height to step on getting into or out of the truck. If you climb in or out without stepping on them be prepared to get the back of your pants/calves dirty on wet/muddy/snowy days. Still glad I have them but need to be careful getting out of the truck in nice work clothes.

 

Thanks everyone for the comments, very useful. I can appreciate the mentions of dirtying/scraping as you get in when not using as a step. I previously had a Ridgeline with actual step rails which were awkward because you didn't really need them to get in and they stuck far enough that they were hard to avoid touching while getting in. My Tacoma is not lifted (other than slightly oversized tires) which is why I'm looking for that tucked in fit where you could fit your toes only if you had to. I do like the idea of that road-rashing grip tape though!

 

RCI sliders with top plate 5 degree

 

When I got my sliders I showed my wife the RCI website. It shows a side by side pictures of 5° and 20° and top plate and no top plate. I let my wife decide what she thought would be better for her to get in/out. I also told her my intention was not to hitting rocks, but "just in case".
They have taken some pretty good hits.
Ops.

 

I did similar with a floor jack next to the Taco. I made sure it did not move, then had her check the height stepping in.

 

Happy Wife = more Taco

 

That is where the slider fun started. She said that all my friend's Tacos had 'steps' because they liked their wives. Nothing like getting Approval without even having to ask.

 

Just my 2 cents, ones that jut out a bit are good - mine have saved about 10 door dings that I’ve seen in parking lots. much more common than using as rock sliders.

Lower is better for step. Higher is better for rock slider. If I could do it again I would get the non angled sliders from greenlaneoffroad.

mine are too angled to use to get into the truck. Only really good for grabbing stuff on the roof. Pic for reference.

 

Check out Slee Off-road. They make a slider/step for Tacomas that would fit your needs. Their equipment is very popular with the Land Cruiser community and they are very easy to deal with.

 

In regards to the grip tape thing. You can buy non-abrasive rubbery type pool-side grip tape that won’t grate the skin off your leg.

Skip the abrasive stuff.

My next set of sliders will be low and tight to the frame/cab. Otherwise imo they just get in the way.

 

Looking at your pic and description, looks/sounds like exactly what I'm looking for! Which ones are those?

Good trip to Alberta? Ready for some serious hydration!! haha

 

So mine are the greenlaneoffroad angled sliders. Again, I wish I went with the non angled ones as mine aren’t ideal for just getting in and out of the car, they’re high up, not much lower than the bottom of the door well.

and yes truck was full to the brim with water that was a donation someone made to the firefighters. Beautiful skies and the best people in Alberta

here’s some more angles

 

I went with some custom sliders from BudBuilt. Intent was for them to be ‘just enough’ to stand on and get into the bed or access the roof, and to move around standing water and not have to step in it.

they aren’t quite wide enough to safely push off trees etc., but I’m not looking for that level. But they are strong enough in case I make a bad call on a drop off or other scenario.

They do present a problem when the weather is bad in that you have to get in/out carefully or you drag your pants on them. As others have said, they work okay as steps for the vertically challenged, but anybody over 5’10” probably won’t be able to use them easily as simple steps. I’m 6’4” and ‘can’ use them that way, but it’s a pain.

 

Highly recommend the Greenlane Offroad sliders - especially if you are trying to keep vehicle weight down (they are aluminum). I have the zero degree sliders with a full top plate, they work well as steps and are fairly tight to the body.

 

I’m gonna be fabricating my own sliders. Similar to these but more heavy duty. I will post everything when I’m finished.