Tyger Auto Star Armor Kit (Side Step, Nerf Bar, Running Board etc) Review

Hey guys,

Have been asked a few times what 'sliders/side steps' I've got on my Tacoma and how I like them so I figure I would do a quick and semi-short review on the product, install, and my thoughts on them.

I purchased the

$364 Tyger Auto TG-AM2T20048 | Side Step Rails Nerf Bars Running Boards

Tyger Auto TG-AM2T20048 Star Armor Kit for 2005-2018 Tacoma Double Cab | Textured Black | Side Step | Nerf Bars | Running Boards from Amazon for $269.00 shipped to my door.

I received the product in 3 days and was surprised on the weight of them and how well they are packaged.
I removed them from the package and made sure the hardware etc was included and another surprise was that the hardware is black which kind of conceals it in my opinion, I liked that.

The instructions are included, you don't really need them though as the bars are marked driver/passenger.
There are three mounting points on the Tacoma and two plastic 'screws' on each mounting point that you have to remove (phillips screwdriver).
From there it is up to you whether you get another person to help you with the install or whether you'll take it on yourself, I did it myself and I've never installed these before.. They may be heavy to some people so I would recommend another person to help, I lift and I'm stubborn plus I enjoy doing things on my own so I did it on my own.

Total install for me took around 30 minutes with only a 13mm socket and a phillips screwdriver.
I screwed up on the first one because I put the bolt in the 'inner' mounting point rather than the 'outer' one, so I had all the weight on the 'inner' bolts and was wondering why I couldn't adjust the bar easily to bolt it down.
Advice: Put the 'outer' bolts in first only tight enough to hold it in place without falling on your head, then start tightening down the center 'outer' bolts then move to the other points to get it level and even before cranking them down.
The exact torque specs are on the instruction sheet so I advise reviewing it for this information.

The bars are heavy, I feel they will last and I love the dual stage powder coating and the textured black finish. The texture looks great against my MGM.
I'll throw it in there that there is also a no-hassle 5 year warranty against manufacturing defects.

I'm super happy with my purchase and I DO recommend this product if you're looking for a nice set of 'slider' style bars. Keep in mind these are not actual sliders, my reason for purchase is because I spent $30k+ on my Tacoma and I want to keep door dings away and these bars are perfect for that piece of mine alone.

I did not get paid for this review nor do I BS as you can tell from my inexperienced 'review' but when I'm genuinely happy with a product I feel others should know.

Cliff notes: Easy to install, awesome product, not a slider, perfect for protection against irresponsible people and their car doors. Buy 'em.

 

Should take a front shot to show how far they stick out.

 

Yeah, I figure people would be able to put it together.. But I'll take another at some point and update it.

 

I've got the same ones and like them a lot. They do protect the doors nicely. This isn't the best picture, but you get the idea.

 

Got these too based on a recommendation on this forum. They work fine and are really nice for the price.

 

Thank you for sharing your photo

 

These look great

 

Thanks for sharing, I just ordered a set.

I have no need for steps to get in the truck, and I don't off-road anywhere that would necessitate true sliders, so these look like they'll fit the bill nicely for general parking lot protection.

 

These are a superb value. I have had mine on my SSM '17 for just over a year now and they looks just as solid as they did when I put them on. Definitely not something you'd support the truck's weight on, but they stick out far enough from the truck that they are actually a very useful step if you need to access cargo on your roof, wife uses them as a step to get into the truck easily, and they have prevented my truck from getting any door dings in all the parking lots and underground garages I've parked. Powder coat is holding up well through a lot of rough conditions as well. When I wash the truck, I hit the steps w/ some 303 and it really makes the steps pop.

I wasn't excited about the stars in the steps but I must say they look unique and have grown on me plus the star design will grip your shoe soles enough with a bite to keep you stable if loading / unloading gear in the rain. On my silver truck, the combo of the Prinsu black powder coat AND the textured black powder coat steps really frames the truck. Would look naked to me without those now!

For install, I found that (on a stock height truck) the box the steps come in are just about the perfect height to rest each of the 45lb steps on for a solo install. Took me <30 mins just like OP.

 

These look badass for sure and the quality looks excellent. I was about to pull the trigger on them but went with sliders for a couple hundred more. I do like people are picking these up and looks beefy enough to protect the truck from light impacts.

 

Do you even lift bro!? Sorry had to
Glad they're going to work for you.

 

Great write-up. I put mine on last week with the help of my wife.

 

Got the same ones. Love em except the stars. Gonna cover them with a wide strip of skateboard grip tape.

 

Anyone put these on a longbed? If so, do you have pictures?

 

I bought these actually. Got the driver side on first. Then of course the passenger side didn’t fit properly. Sending em back

 

Looking at throwing a set of these on to protect the truck from doors and step for the kiddos. Bolt on rock sliders down the road for a welding project.

 

What are you on in Miami? I was there from 12 to 16 on 144s... Reflection off the truck gave it away lol

 

Sorry that you had issues, first one I've seen out of all of the reviews.

 

Yea it’s a bummer. They seem pretty solid, but I will say I wasn’t a fan of the stars seeing them in person. Not exactly an appealing design otherwise they look great

 

I have these on my truck. When I received them and started my install, I realized a bracket on the driver side step was bent. I called the company and they sent out a new set to me. Second set was just fine. They did not want the originals back. I actually still have them in my garage.