I ordered the Metal Tech OPOR sliders for an SR5. I knew from the beginning they were not designed for my Limited. I wanted to help with the R&D for Metal Tech. As it turns out, they got a Limited into their shop within the past month or so and had already known that their SR5 sliders would NOT fit. There is one exception. If you are no longer using the XREAS system, the sliders for an SR5 WILL fit with the removal of the system. [MENTION=76752]helocat[/MENTION] and @ lt informed me that they will be making a version of the OPOR (Out Post Off Road) slider specifically for the Limited. All they were waiting on were the gussets.
My reasoning to go with Metal Tech.
First and foremost, their customer service. I'm sure many of you have already experienced this with them. I am always happy to do business with a company that emphasizes their quality of service.
Second, I did not want to remove my factory side skirt. There have been some very nice installs with the removal and even some that had trimmed them. I have no intention of doing any heavy rock crawling so the clearance issue was not a concern.
Third, I looked at other manufactures and their "bumpouts". None of them were attractive to me. They either stuck out too far or not far enough (for a step).
Fourth, I'm not a huge fan of "diamond plate". It looks better in black, but just reminds me too much of contractor tool boxes in pick up beds. Some manufactures don't offer any step plates. That was a deal killer. I have 2 small children (3 and 5) that need a decent step. And when I saw the "dimple die" option...
On to the install...
Metal Tech packages their sliders in a very stout box. Needless to say, there were about 6,000 staples into the box I received them in. As you can see in the picture above, they are heavily wrapped in foam and shrink wrap. That doesn't include all of the cardboard that was packed into the box to take up any additional space. The quality of powdercoat and welding that was done on the slider is exceptional. The hardware included was complete. Metal Tech uses existing mounts of our frames to attach the sliders. Very impressive.
First order of business is to remove the XREAS system. Again, these sliders are intended for the SR5 and I am installing them on my Limited.
Remove XREAS reservoirs on both sides.
Throw them on the floor. The lines attached in this picture go towards the rear of the vehicle. The check valves at the end of these lines are what you loosend up when replacing the rear shocks.
There are only 2 lines left in the XREAS system. Some have taken the time to save these. I'm not sure why, but if you're going to lift your Limited, chances are, you'll never reinstall the XREAS system. So, with some line cutters, off they go!
