Running bars, rock sliders, or what??????

[240m3srt]

I have had my 4runner lifted for a few months now and love it. However it is not the easiest vehicle to get into, especially for the parents, grandma, and taking women on dates. All jokes aside because i basically tell them to deal with it lol, but i need a solution.

I love how high the vehicle looks w/o running boards, but i am set on adding some sort of step and i know this will make the ground clearnace on the sides lower. Now in all honestly i dont wheel or rock climb, so i know it doesnt really matter, but still. Im not a huge fan of nerf bars but im considering them at this point. I have heard they dirty your pants when you slide out of the vehicle though. I have a friend that welds so i could angle a pair of rock sliders downwards, but ive never actually seen a set on a 4runner. It seems to me that they will not stick out far enough to act as steps, plus the more you angle them down the more they will go in towards the vehicle. They are much thinner than nerf bars too.

I could always weld stirrup steps onto the sliders but that might look crappy, and now were talking more fabrication=$.

So what do you guys think?

 

[theizzardking]

most of the rock sliders come out and angle up to provide a step, the opposite of what your talking about...... check the other thread on here, that just got resurrected, you'll see they come out about 3 inches or so from the body then angle up, i think stirrups would look bad, and that's being nice about it, nerf bars look cheap, imo, so it's either running boards paint matched or sliders, i like sliders becuase they actually offer some protection where a nerf bar is the fake version of a slider. but do what you think looks good man, this is just my opinion and how i'm going about things

 

[topdown4runner]

You can get sliders that tuck close to the truck, so no dirty pants. Put some non-skid at the point where your woman's shoe will go so she doesn't slip off.

or

Get some of those retractable steps that pop out when the door is opened, then retract once you close the door.
Nice & tidy look with functionality when you need it.

 

[hambone575]

I am annoyed with my nerf bars.. wearing a suit and getting out of your car after snowstorm.. Dirt all over your pants

 

[240m3srt]

Id really like to go with sliders as they are hardcore and offer protection. Im a sucker for hardcore parts.:boxer:

But if you angle them up i dont see how they will be practical as steps. I realize they are designed to protect the body.

Have any of you actually angled them straight out or down, or tried stepping up into a lifted 4runner with sliders welded in this configuration? I have a buddy that welds, and i like the ones that bow out in the rear. But once again i need proper steps not just what i think looks hardcore.:sobbing:

 

[JohnsD90]

Id really like to go with sliders as they are hardcore and offer protection. Im a sucker for hardcore parts.:boxer:

But if you angle them up i dont see how they will be practical as steps. I realize they are designed to protect the body.

Have any of you actually angled them straight out or down, or tried stepping up into a lifted 4runner with sliders welded in this configuration? I have a buddy that welds, and i like the ones that bow out in the rear. But once again i need proper steps not just what i think looks hardcore.:sobbing:

On the sliders hinge a step that looks like this: l l , and put one on each side so when you get in and out you have a step and when you are wheeling it can be tucked away.

 

[240m3srt]

On the sliders hinge a step that looks like this: l l , and put one on each side so when you get in and out you have a step and when you are wheeling it can be tucked away.

Is that like what i was saying about welding on what i think are called stirups. I dont mean like what is on a horse saddle lol, i just though thats what they were called when they look like that thing you drew.

But im wondering how to make them retractable and if this will look crappy like theizzardking was sayin...?

 

[JohnsD90]

Is that like what i was saying about welding on what i think are called stirups. I dont mean like what is on a horse saddle lol, i just though thats what they were called when they look like that thing you drew.

But im wondering how to make them retractable and if this will look crappy like theizzardking was sayin...?

Weld a hinge to the slider.

 

[TheDurk]

I just do without. My girlfriend is 6'1" and my sons are taller than that.

 

[Pikeman]

I have the All-pro sliders with the kick out in the back. Now it does stick out a littl in front and sometimes my pants get dirty but that is whe you use them as a step to get out instead of sliding out and sliding your pants on your sliders. I have a 3yo and 6yo that use them as steps and work great.

 

[JohnsD90]

I just do without. My girlfriend is 6'1" and my sons are taller than that.

WoW im only 5"9ish. And why didnt you go to the 4runner meetup at the palisades mall, u live in jersey thats 2 hours max.

 

[240m3srt]

I have the All-pro sliders with the kick out in the back. Now it does stick out a littl in front and sometimes my pants get dirty but that is whe you use them as a step to get out instead of sliding out and sliding your pants on your sliders. I have a 3yo and 6yo that use them as steps and work great.

Allpro, those are the ones i had my eye on.

Do yours stick straight out like it appears from the pics?

 

[Pikeman]

Mine stick nearly straight (about 3-5 degree rise) out but I have seen some that were kicked up higher, maybe the DIY kit since it was on a Tacoma. You can also cut an inch or two off of the legs that go to the frame if you dont want them to stick out so far.

 

[240m3srt]

Mine stick nearly straight (about 3-5 degree rise) out but I have seen some that were kicked up higher, maybe the DIY kit since it was on a Tacoma. You can also cut an inch or two off of the legs that go to the frame if you dont want them to stick out so far.

Right on thanks!

Allpros are $269 here:
Rock Guards

Then i found some that look identical here for only $160, but assembly is required.
4X Innovations Online - Toyota 4 Runner + Pick Up + Tacoma + FJ80 / LX450 Rock Slider, Rocker Protection

I called Allpro and theirs are fully welded ready for install. I have a friend that can weld the others but why go through more hassle if i dont have to. I have heard of flipping them to the opposite side and upside down to use as steps. Based on yours do you think this would work, or would i be better of welding the DIY kit to the exact angle i want them at...?

 

[Pikeman]

4x Innovations stuff is nice too I have seen some of their work on bumpers. Either way you are going to have to get them welded onto the frame since they are not a bolt on application. I like mine at the angle they sit and the clearance they give. The best bet would be order them up and see how they sit when you hold them up to your truck then decide from there.

 

[brian2sun]

Anyone have any pics of these (either the 4xInnovation or the Allpros) welded so they're flush on a 4runner with a 1" body lift? In other words, no more of a gap than a normal 4runner w/o a body lift?

 

[Pikeman]

This is ProudRunners and he is running a 1" BL. Remember since you weld them on yourself you can place them how you like. I am now thinking of doing a 1" BL and will end up cutting mine off and relocating them Higher on the frame.

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks for the pic.