Bolt-on rocker protection
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EatonKyleH
New member
shrockworks sliders are bolt on. I also have them on my 3rd gen.
No kidding? I've looked at them online in the past but didn't realize they were bolt-on.
These, right?
ShrockWorks Toyota 4Runner Rock Sliders, Rock Rails - 3rd Gen, 1996-2002
I wonder what the dark grey looks like.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
You can take the runner back to stock as long as you don't add scab plates to the frame where you weld the rockers on. Just chop them off with a sawzall, grind smooth and paint. Granted, it's a little more labor intensive than unbolting, but still removable. 
Shrockworks are great too, but some weld-on sliders (Trail Gear in particular) are so darn affordable it's hard to say no.
Shrockworks are great too, but some weld-on sliders (Trail Gear in particular) are so darn affordable it's hard to say no.
Doesn't look like they have any for a 3rd gen, at least according to their website.
You can take the runner back to stock as long as you don't add scab plates to the frame where you weld the rockers on. Just chop them off with a sawzall, grind smooth and paint. Granted, it's a little more labor intensive than unbolting, but still removable.
Shrockworks are great too, but some weld-on sliders (Trail Gear in particular) are so darn affordable it's hard to say no.
Good point, but a lot of work! I realize my 3rd gen is hardly an appreciating asset, but I am kind of anal about wanting to be able to take it back to stock when I sell it.
EatonKyleH
New member
Yup! Those are what I've got and they are bolt on. Install requires drilling the frame and is a wee bit involved. If you want them I'd recommend emailing shrockworks for the install instructions to look over. They don't just bolt into existing holes is what I'm really getting at lol.
They are sweet though if you don't mind the 3-4 month turn around time with most shrockworks products.
Oh man. 3-4 month turnaround. With my vehicular attention span, I might find a 100-series or a GX 470 to buy in that amount of time!
ToyTec Lifts
New member
Ours do have holes so they can be bolted on. I would highly just recommend welding though since its probably less work since the 3rd gens don't have proper holes in the frame already like some other vehicles do. Drilling isn't fun. 
*NEW* 3rd Gen 4Runner Rock Sliders
*NEW* 3rd Gen 4Runner Rock Sliders
Offroad_Medic
New member
TrailGear offers their mounting plate kit that has holes predrilled in them if you would rather bolt them on. All you would have to do is weld the legs to thier gusset kit and then drill holes in your frame where the gusset plates have holes predrilled. I personally prefer welding and adding to my frame then drilling holes in it though.
Kurtis
New member
For a pair of bolt on sliders to be even close to as strong as welded the framed would have to be drilled and the bolt hole should be sleeved. Otherwise the clamping action of the bolt can compress the frame. This is more ass pain than it is really worth. I recommend 110% to weld them on.
snivilous
Senior Member
Then put a plate or a giant washer on the inside wall of the frame (doesn't need to be welded) that is stiff enough so it will stop the frame deflecting inwards. You don't need to clamp the frame that tightly, the clamping doesn't help react a load, only the inside face of the frame is being loaded significantly when the bolts go into tension.
A welded slider operates in much the same way, except the load is going through the outer face of the frame and pulling the frame out instead of pushing it in.
steezemcqueen
Moderator
Except you have a way bigger surface area distributing the load when it pulls on the frame when they are welded.
Kurtis
New member
I disagree. Agree to disagree on this one I guess. There is a reason no one runs bolt on sliders at KOH.
snivilous
Senior Member
They have the same surface area. The plate will try to rotate when the moment from the load is applied. As long as the bottom remains in place the rest of the welds/bolts won't do anything since the plate will just be getting shoved into the frame.
I agree weld on is stronger, and of course on a dedicated buggy you would run sliders like that, hell the sliders are probably integrated to the frame. I'm just saying that bolt on can be plenty strong if designed properly.
techno
New member
In my experience bolt ons and weld ons can perform just as good as each other. But I've seen more issues with weld ons due to crappy welding. If the welder is not experienced or has crap equipment. Sometimes they put too much heat into the frame and blow half the material away resulting in a weakened chassis. Other times they are paranoid about doing just that and end up not putting enough heat in which results in the weld not penetrating deeply enough, resulting in a weak joint and ultimately cracked welds.
SweetWaterSurprise
Banned
I gotta decide which set I wanna go with
Certainly, weld-on sliders done properly are going to be stronger. But I really don't "need" serious protection. This is for light, occasional use at best. I use my 4Runner more for camping and hiking trails than anything else (well, theoretically... it spends more time in the garage than it should) and I like the idea of being able to go back to stock.
So are there no "zero mod" bolt-on sliders on the market? I don't want to drill the frame unless I absolutely have to.
So are there no "zero mod" bolt-on sliders on the market? I don't want to drill the frame unless I absolutely have to.
Offroad_Medic
New member
If you don't want to drill any holes whatsoever into your frame then good luck. You might try Rocky Road Outfitters. They are expensive and not the best company ever to deal with from what I have heard but for you it may be worth a try.
