Sliders vs Lift For The Next Mod

Figured I'd ask the internet for their input on my next mod.

Trying to decide which mod should be next between sliders or lift. To beat you to the punch of "why not both?" Someday perhaps, but financially I can only swing one of them for now. The lift is more expensive by a few hundred but can be shipped out soonish, whereas the sliders are cheaper but take 16 weeks to make.

For full disclosure, the truck is not my DD, I use it more to move things with the bed or to go off-roading/camping in West/ern VA.

For the Lift:
I'm only looking for 1.5-2 inches, so going to go with Bilstein 6112/5160 and a progressive aal.

For the Sliders:
Mobtown bolt-on. They seem to fairly strong, plus I get to pick them up (save on shipping) and support a business on the best cost.

I'm just trying to figure out which one will provide the most utility and enjoyment.

 

I bought Mobtown sliders first. They arrived the same week as I upgraded my truck from a SR5 to an OR. Then I upgraded the suspension many months later and added 33” M/Ts. The sliders gave peace of mind. The suspension and tires gave the most fun and performance.

 

I say sliders. It’s insurance if you off-road at all. Lift is just good for look/minor extra clearance. Protect those rocker panels my dude.

 

All depends on where you go and what you experience. If you are going to be around rocks more often than not, Sliders for sure.

When I had your same question, I chose the lift. Mostly because all my off roading was in mud and trails with limited exposure to rocks. The extra clearance so I didn't just sit in the mud was nice. Also, I came closer to hitting trees head on than I came to scrubbing the rocker panels and I was usually lead and needed a way to recover going forward. So, I wanted a front end and winch. Which was going to require me to have a heavier front suspension set up. So lift came first. Still haven't done sliders. Though, they are the next large purchase for the truck.

 

Lift won't necessarily protect you until you get sliders, but sliders will always be doing their job.

 

I did sliders first too (after tires). Then skids, then winch, then lift. I wanted the armor anyway and would need it even after the lift. The winch lets me get home when I am out alone. I wheeled quite a bit at stock height, but with 255/85s. I used the armor plenty and had a big scrape down the slider my first trip from something in a deep puddle that I never saw. Much of the stuff I have banged armor on probably would have hit after the lift, but it gave me piece of mind that I wasn't crushing the rockers or oil pan and I was a lot more comfortable.

 

I'm in the same boat and am going sliders for peace of mind and protection.

 

I did the lift and tires first. If I did it again and in the future I’d do sliders first. There’s been plenty of times I’ve been on a trail and wished I had sliders just incase and could have been fine without a lift. Now I have them it’s a lot nicer.

 

I lifted first and then sliders. I would do it that way again. The stock OR suspension performs like crap compared to 6112. Daily driving becomes much more enjoyable.

I did many trails without the sliders, just have to know what trails to avoid. Since adding sliders, I've high centered twice. Both times if the sliders were not there, I would not have gotten stuck.

 

Truck already has a suspension, it doesn't have sliders. Add the thing you need before you upgrade the things you want.

 

Thanks for the help everyone. Just ordered the sliders today because Mobtown has a sale.