Rock Slider Help

NOTE: this may not be the right forum but I couldn't find a better place that made sense to me.

Quick info: recently got my first Tacoma. 2009 DCSB V6 4x4 with TRD off-road and towing packages.

I don't like my side steps and I figure if I am going to replace them with something I might as well get rock sliders. I don't ever plan to do extreme rock crawling but I like the idea of the security when off-road and the look. I want something that is quality and will last.

Do I want bolt-on or weld? Why get a kick out? Round or square? Anything else I need to know? Thank you in advance for info.

(I did multiple searches on here but only found people's opinions on brand. No info I was looking for.)

 

I have a '13 with DCSB and purchased these as bolt on. If I had to do again I would have welled on, and I may yet switch them over. The only downside I found is the break lines run down the inside of the driver side of the frame. The center mount bolt forces you to relocate the break lines just a bit. No worries there, they move fairly easily, but it was a bit unexpected.

I went with SOS for a few reasons, one was quality, they are amazing. Also, the main part of the slider is square tubing, which is the part most likely to scrape or drag, while the rest is round giving it a great look.

I also went with the kick out. The kick out gives me that little bit extra to use as a step when access the bed from directly behind the cab. The kick outs on the SOS sliders are also more subtle than most, meaning they don't stick out as far. By keeping them narrow, it allows you get through narrower spots on the trail. People who really push their taco will say no kick out for this very reason, but I don't wheel all that hard, so the kick out was a nice feature and has proven very handy.

Finally I like supporting the small business owner. I have had nothing but amazing customer service from day one. Contact was often and very helpful. He went the extra mile to make sure I was happy with my purchase. It was such a great shopping experience I am looking at buying a full plate front bumper from him in the near future.

Yes, there are other brands, even some "major" brands. All of them seem to be good and I haven't heard to many complaints about those. In the end most rock sliders will hold up on the trail so it really comes down to how they look. Except the kick outs, if you plan on going down the hardest trails you can, don't get them as they may cause you to hang up in narrow spots.

 

I would also say just go with weld on. With bolt ons you still end up drilling into the frame and it's a pain in the ass getting to some of the bolt locations due to the brake lines and tight spots etc.
Just get the weld ons and spend the amount you saved on weld ons towards the shop that welds them on for you.
The bolt on install is not worth your time and the headache it causes nor the extra money they cost.

Find some you like and be done with it. There is a thread all about sliders if you search for it.

 

Thanks for the input. This helps a lot!

 

I got Avid off-road bolt ons. There are two different kind of bolt on sliders which I did not realize until they showed up at my door. You see, there are bolt ons that bolt to the frame (as mentioned previously) and there are bolt ons that bolt to the cab (same mounting as nerf bars). I was not too happy about this but I did get a smoking deal on them (end of summer sale, I think 10-15% off PLUS an additional 10% TW member discount.)

I am working with a local member to have him convert them to weld-ons.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Don't you second gen guys have the option to get a c-channel style bolt on? The c-channel type is very strong, doesn't heat your frame (thus changing the metal's properties), doesn't require drilling and is removable, if you wish. I've got CBI sliders on my first gen and love them.

You can kind of see them in this pic. The bottom line is that the c-channel goes around your frame and the bolts go over the top of your frame.

 

While they are strong, I bent my Shrockworks C channel type. Probably because they do not have gussets though, looks like the CBIs do. So, after I did a BL, I cut the Cs off and welded them on, with gussets this time!

 

Avid Weld On's here

Matt

 

One more thing, get them powder coated. I used spray on bed liner for mine, which is fine for me as I intended them to get a scratch or two. However every couple of weeks I find myself doing touchup paint (trying) to keep ahead of the rust. I haven't had a powder coated yet so far, but from I hear, it stands up much better than spray on anything.

 

Not worth it if you use your sliders though.

Matt

 

I would 100% agree with this except I don't think the weld ons are needed for my needs. I got the same exact set from SOS Concepts and they were delivered today. Eddy does amazing work and these are some heavy duty high quality sliders. He ever offers removable steps that can be attached and removed for when you hit the trails. I got a set of these for my wife as she is a shorty. Def buy a set of these if you are looking for sliders IMO they are not only the best looking but also the best priced for the quality of the work.

 

He offers removable steps? I didn't even notice. This will make my wife happy

 

oh yeah. They are bad ass. I will get some pics up in about 2 days when I finish painting them and get them installed

 

X2

 

actually I throw some pics up now of me painting them. Let me load them up.

 

I just saw this! And want to say! Thank you very much forthis kind words of my product. I do have removable steps that you can add them yourself if you have a welder or know somone that does.

 

Did you bend the channel or the standoff? The channel should be tight so you have to stretch the steel to deform it. That being said I can definitely see the standoffs bending without gussets.

 

weld ons with removable steps

 

These have gussets and huge brackets. No drill required, and I love the removable steps for the wife.




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