I'm about to order sliders..

[adam2562]

hey guys.. sliders are next on the mod list.. especially after i nudged in my rocker panel on my passenger side at Big Dogs.. (not too bad though) I'm looking for a set of sliders that my mother and girlfriend would enjoy using to help step up into the vehicle.. hell, me too (I'm 5'7" lol, but could do with a minimal step set like Shrockworks). I've done my research and I've narrowed it down to a few of the 8 that i have seen made for our 5th Gen trucks. any input as to which ones might be better etc would be appreciated (they all seem nice to me).

--Budbuilt sliders I REALLY like, but at $920 before shipping, they are PRICEY! (painted black with full tread and beefy bump out) $744 if it's regular steel.

--Metal Tech sliders ($650 before shipping)i also really like because they have the bump out(preferred) and have plenty of room for a step, but you cant add the top plating for a place to step. (unless by calling they can do it???..)

--OPOR sliders ($650 before shipping the way i want)i also like because it's almost the same as the MT sliders but it seems that they don't stick out as far as the Metal tech sliders. but i CAN add the dimple die all up top for a good footing.

--Shrockworks ($550 before cheapest shipping rate)made it on the list because of price and quality. it has room to be stepped on(not as much as Budbuilt or Metal Tech, but has no plating that can be added up top.

--Demello Offroad HYBRID now that i look at the hybrid one again.. it looks like a really good contender.. (it's $490 the way i want it and shipping is cheap at $33) and it has enough footing to get in (don't know why i didn't remember this one. (ANYONE HAVE PICS OF THIS ONE? i can't tell if i like the way it looks!(sticks out too far and looks separated) thanks! [MENTION=57718]MrGrimm[/MENTION] is there a kick out option on the Hybrids for the 5th Gen? i can't find anything about it on the site. Thanks!

--White Knuckle Offroad at $720 before shipping @$105 they've got a bump out, enough room for a good footing.. but i don't like how their tread on top has those bolts on the top..

its a tough choice lol

ALSO.. the last time i went trail riding.. i found myself going thru some TIGHT area's.. have any of you with bump out sliders noticed an area you weren't able to get through because of it? i don't wanna find myself wedging myself in at the rear.. (i know it doesn't seem like much, but i was in some NARROW area's lol)

thanks for the help guys!

if i used your pics and you don't want me to, please let me know and i will remove it!

 

[Hellamatic]

I'm in the same boat as you right now. I nearly pulled the trigger on some Budbuilts a few weeks ago, but I've heard a couple guys say that they don't work very well to use as a step to get in. I personally like the look of the Metaltech sliders. I'm sure you could probably get them to add the tread plate for you if you call. Either that, or you could do it yourself (if you're decent with a welder) or you could have a local welding shop do it for you.

 

[adam2562]

I'm in the same boat as you right now. I nearly pulled the trigger on some Budbuilts a few weeks ago, but I've heard a couple guys say that they don't work very well to use as a step to get in. I personally like the look of the Metaltech sliders. I'm sure you could probably get them to add the tread plate for you if you call. Either that, or you could do it yourself (if you're decent with a welder) or you could have a local welding shop do it for you.

i can't weld.. i'm sure i can find a friend who does though..

 

[bernardmwrangle]

As far as step solutions go see this recent post on the topic:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...nnoyed-about-getting-into-lifted-trail-2.html

Rather than looking for sliders to double as a step I am going to get the shrockworks sliders and the bolt on steps that someone posted from the Tacoma forum, taking them off for off-reading.

 

[cbreze]

I just got the metal tech sliders for my SR5 and am glad with my decision. My lady friend was the first to try them as a step and she had no problem. I like the look of them over the others I have seen. They come powder coated which is a nice plus. That and all the positive shout outs from folks who have them makes them worth a good long look. That and their shop is only a 3 hour drive up the road from me I got them installed by them for $20. Sweet! Great bunch of guys at Metal Tech

 

[Sundog7121]

I've got Demello sliders. They look great, are really sturdy and well built, and will obviously work very well as sliders. As steps, not so good.

 

[<<<<]

ShrockWorks hands down. It'll take time, though (about 10 weeks).

 

[94hokie]

OPOR sliders are great, have them on mine. I didn't realize at the time, but someone else on the forum asked them to add the dimple die full length and they did. You can use them just fine as a step, if you step parallel to the slider as opposed to perpendicular. Love mine for what its worth.

 

[adam2562]

thanks for all your replies.. i'm leaning towards the Metal Tech or OPOR with Demello as a strong 3rd contestant.

 

[FactoryRide]

I love my shrockworks sliders, but next time around I'll be looking for something with the bump out. I wanna say I remember seeing shrockworks talking about possibly trying out a bump out and it may be worth giving them a call to see if it's possible.

Also, if I did it again I would get them bare steel and spray em with some rustoleum truck bed liner to save some money and make em easier to touch up.

 

[mform]

ShrockWorks hands down. It'll take time, though (about 10 weeks).

I got lit up pretty bad here for even mentioning this previously, but i'm entering waiting week 18 from Shrockworks. So, OP, build that into your planning process. But, I'm assured by the team here that the quality is wor.....ah, nevermind. S'posed to ship next week......

 

[Desert Fox]

I have Shrockworks on my 4th gen. They are great sliders, very strong and well built.

They really are not a step. My granddaughter uses it as a step but she is only 4. I would not trust it as a step for an adult.

Shrockworks is getting a bad rep for very long lead times and not communicating delays.

That's too bad, they make a excellent product.

 

[Intruder]

No need to get the beefy sliders from Bud Built unless you're planning on landing on them a lot and putting the full weight of your truck on them. I have the regular bump out ones and they work just fine. I also use them as a step all the time when I'm wearing a suit or whatever. I've never been held up by the bump outs on a narrow trail either, and I've gone through stuff tight enough that I've had to fold both side mirrors in.

If you wheel regularly then I think you'd do well with any of the bump out sliders. The bump pushes you away from obstacles instead of sliding along them until they hit your rear tire/wheel or quarter panel. The first time your bump out pivots you around a rock you'll know why you got them.

 

[Okki]

While I absolutely love my Shrockworks, if you wheel regularly and in tight places, the bump out will provide protection to the rear quarter panel. The SW don't offer that.

In my mind NONE of the sliders (!) function well as a step. Sliders are meant to stay close to the body to give it protection and the further out the sliders, the more leverage they have when you are leaning on them. the more leverage, the more chance they may give out. Bolt on versus welded comes into play here as well. My bolt-on SW moved a tiny bit when I dropped the truck on the passenger side slider. It did not hit the truck, saved the body work but it is something to consider. You can always weld a bolt on later on if you so desire.

If you truly need a step, consider either welding on (or getting the bolt on version I mentioned in the "wife annoyed..." thread that was referenced earlier) a step similar to the NFab bars. The NFabs are NOT sliders, but a great execution of a step on a slider type bar.

The bumpout may help rear passengers, but the front passenger will still be out of luck.

In all cases I would talk to the vendor you are going with about what you are trying to achieve and see what they can do for you.

Keep us posted on what you end up going with!

Okki

 

[skimr]

OPOR sliders as steps

do a web search for Metal Tech Sliders. Page 3 post 41 has a series of pictures of my OPOR sliders with full dimple plate that I had them add. Wanted something my wife could use to get in and out of the truck and these work great for her with her smaller feet. You do need to step onto the slider parallel to the door, not toe first to get in the front. sure beats the folding plastic stool with a dog leash attached to it that she was using before.

 

[adam2562]

No need to get the beefy sliders from Bud Built unless you're planning on landing on them a lot and putting the full weight of your truck on them. I have the regular bump out ones and they work just fine. I also use them as a step all the time when I'm wearing a suit or whatever. I've never been held up by the bump outs on a narrow trail either, and I've gone through stuff tight enough that I've had to fold both side mirrors in.

If you wheel regularly then I think you'd do well with any of the bump out sliders. The bump pushes you away from obstacles instead of sliding along them until they hit your rear tire/wheel or quarter panel. The first time your bump out pivots you around a rock you'll know why you got them.

You've sold me on getting a slider with bump outs, thanks for your input!

As of now, i'm leaning towards MT/OPOR I think the Demello stick out too far.. it looks like its almost not attached to the body.. i'm sure if i called i could get them to not have it pushed out as much (but then again i'm sure there is a reason why they did that)

Another thing to think about... Should i just powdercoat/textured spray the sliders myself? buy them bare? or should i just go ahead and have them do it? i've never prepped metal to be painted before, is it easy?

Thanks Guys!

 

[adam2562]

While I absolutely love my Shrockworks, if you wheel regularly and in tight places, the bump out will provide protection to the rear quarter panel. The SW don't offer that.

In my mind NONE of the sliders (!) function well as a step. Sliders are meant to stay close to the body to give it protection and the further out the sliders, the more leverage they have when you are leaning on them. the more leverage, the more chance they may give out. Bolt on versus welded comes into play here as well. My bolt-on SW moved a tiny bit when I dropped the truck on the passenger side slider. It did not hit the truck, saved the body work but it is something to consider. You can always weld a bolt on later on if you so desire.

If you truly need a step, consider either welding on (or getting the bolt on version I mentioned in the "wife annoyed..." thread that was referenced earlier) a step similar to the NFab bars. The NFabs are NOT sliders, but a great execution of a step on a slider type bar.

The bumpout may help rear passengers, but the front passenger will still be out of luck.

In all cases I would talk to the vendor you are going with about what you are trying to achieve and see what they can do for you.

Keep us posted on what you end up going with!

Okki

Yea, i'm still debating if i want to bolt or weld them on.. i guess i'll decide after i bolt them on first lol..

i know sliders aren't meant to be used as steps.. but i feel like some companies build them to stick out further so you CAN use it as a step.. may not be a full area to step on.. but its enough to do its job to help you get in.. so that's what i'm looking for.

 

[Intruder]

Just a couple things to consider when you're deciding what to get...

Paint vs. powdercoat - Either way if you use your sliders you'll scrape it off and rust will begin. You can touch them up with paint even if they're powdercoated. Personally, I painted mine because I knew they were going to get used and it looks better (IMO) to touch them up. Prepping them yourself isn't too hard - use something like Duplicolor grease and wax remover, scuff them up with some sandpaper, use a self-etching primer, then paint or use some bedliner on them.

Bolt on vs. weld on - All my friends who have weld on sliders say they wish they had bolt ons so they could take them off to grind and repaint or powdercoat again. If you're going to use them, like I said above the paint or powdercoat will get scraped off. If you get weld on sliders and have them powdercoated you won't be able to powdercoat them again later.

 

[Natey]

Have you looked at Rocky Road sliders? Not as much of a step, but a little over half the price of White Knuckles. I've been kinda eyeballing a set of them.

4runner Rock Sliders: Toyota 4runner Rock Sliders

 

[Titanpat57]

I bought RR's originally, and welded a step to the bottom...and they have been one great mod to date.

I've wailed them a few times hard(as have others with the doors on the side of them) and outside of touching up paint have worked out very well.