Frame Sliders or Nerf Bars

[illzoni]

What's the difference?

My guess is Nerf Bars are considered less off-road capable and simply serve as steps for ease of getting in/out of the truck. Conversely, from what I can tell Frame Sliders are thought of as a necessary upgrade to protect the rocker panels when rock crawling and other serious wheeling. Am I in the ballpark?

Furthermore, I would assume Frame Sliders would, as their name implies, not hang up on items underneath and most likely are built to have a smooth profile on the underside. Am I warm?

Which do I need?

Well, I really need something to help passengers in/out of my truck, so I guess Nerf Bars would do the job. On the other hand, if I'm going to do it, I might as well get maximum functionality out of the upgrade.

Designs???

As documented in my bumper build thread (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/accessories/71082-custom-bumper-receiver-hitch-my-1st-gen.html) I'm capable of designing what I want and would like to give fabrication a try with the help of some friends here in Tucson. Can anyone provide photos or other hints on design?

Thx,
Jon

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

Yep, you're on the right track. Sliders are much, much more durable and can handle being beaten on the trails. Nerf bars probably wouldn't last for one good trip on the trails. Nerf bars are purely cosmetic, they offer no protection from rocks and such offroad at all. Sliders on the other hand can most definitely take a beating, which is what they're designed to do.

 

[illzoni]

Does anyone have 1st Gen Frame Slider photos they could share?

Thx,
Jon

 

[IanB]

Both function as a step, and I'm sure the price is pretty similar as well. Sliders can actually save your truck from damage without taking any themselves, the same cannot be said of nerf bars. Sliders weight likely 3x+ more though, that's really the biggest downside that I can see, but the extra utility easily makes up for that.