5th Gen Armor

I just joined today and am looking forward to some good discussions. I have only made one mod so far and I am using the 4xInnovations bolt-on sliders. They seem to be the strongest and best designed sliders for actual use. They even posted a video on Youtube of them drop testing them on a rock and it is pretty impressive.



I am a licensed Civil Engineer in NC, SC, GA, and AZ and have been doing engineering design for 29 years. When I wanted sliders for my “new to me” 2011 4Runner, I spent 6 months reading and researching everything I could find because I wanted something that was well made, strong, and affordable. I looked at everything from weld-it-yourself kits to save money to bolt-on and, frankly, nothing really compared to the build quality and strength that was evident in the 4xInnovations design. I could tell that these were built the way I would build them and that was what I wanted. You can tell that every opportunity was taken to make them stronger in a way that minimized the stress transferred to the frame rails. Pretty much all of the other bolt-on sliders attach with between 6 and 10 bolts per side, but these use 17 or more on each side. Watch the video on YouTube for more detail at YouTube. There is also a video on installation and a drop test video (which nobody else has done).

My only problem was that the website said 2014-2018 and my 4Runner is a 2011. I bugged Adam at 4xInnovations for about 4 months, sent him photos and measurements, called him and talked about the install, and finally we concluded that the sliders would probably fit my 2011 after all. I placed the order and couldn't be happier. Installing them was a breeze (after three coats of bare metal primer and three coats of satin black). I did it myself using a floor jack with a 2x4 to spread the load and the only difficult part was getting the KDSS accumulator pulled away from the frame so I could slip the slider underneath it (it is pretty tight). Once everything was mounted, I added grip tape to the top (12" x 2" 80 grit pre-cut strips from Amazon) and they look fantastic. I attached a couple photos below.

 

Hi, i wanted to ask which rear bumper did you finally decide on? did you ever look at Shrockworks? Thanks.

 

Can we get added to the list here SOS Offroad Concepts
Full rear ( making some changes before it's ready for order)

Full front

Streamline front (this one is in aluminum)

 

I must first test a set of skids, slimline bumper & I can give my opinion! Lol
You have some good products. I hope you are added as an authorized vendor!
PM me if you want me to test a set of sliders. I will gladly give them a run!
Good luck!

 

Are you talking about us???

 

Yeah, it was a bad joke. I was just saying to let a member (me) test them (I know they are being sold already).
As stated; you all make some good products!
Good luck.
Sorry for the confusion!

 

We do have a black friday deal going on now go to our vendor page on here. We have a 5th gen t4r now so it'll be easier to do product development. Stay tuned for updates and future products. I know @Trident904 is waiting for us to make a hybrid front.

 

In your black Friday add all I see is one picture. That is why I asked about the sliders. Even on your site it is hard to see the sliders with a kickout & fill. Any chance of more pictures of that item?
Thanks.

 

yes, yes I am.

 

What are the best options for a Gen5 aftermarket front bumper with a supercharger?

 

Anyone running these Shrockworks sliders? I really like the looks of these, plus the dimpled tread plate. I had one of their stubby front bumpers on a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and that thing was stout! I'd love to see any photos if anyone has any...their one drawback is you have to do some drilling into the frame to install. It seems they could design these to fit more of the many available holes already in the frame...

 

Those are so nice. Surprised they require drilling. The C4Fab sliders I have didn't but required me to put on a finish, they come bare steel. The 5 degree RCI sliders with the step plates are nice also and can be had with a finish. No drill. Just an example but there are lots of options out there.

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/10-19-4runner-rock-sliders/

 

Turns out the drilling is in a bottom angled area of the frame, so it doesn't look like a big deal. I did, however, find a youtube video of the installation on a 5th gen, and, to be honest, with all the "stick nuts" you have to fish into the frame, plus the drilling, it looks like a giant PITA to install, especially alone. This RSG version looks to be very similar in looks and function, comes powdercoated if you want, seems to be much more straightforward to install (no drilling), but is pricier:

https://rsgmetalworks.com/collectio...-top-plate-no-kick-out?variant=15127895769123

I really like this RSG slider also. Shrockworks is definitely the best price for a powdercoated, or even bare metal for that matter, slider with top plates for a step, that I have found - $635 w/powdercoat vs. $849 for RSG ($570 bare SW vs. $749 RSG). I guess I could deal with the installation for $200 less...plus, SW is closer for shipping cost.

I just need to sell my Predator steps, make a decision on a slider, and bite the bullet and pick some up. I did find a local buyer for the Predator steps.

 

Ok I think the angled drilling area is optional. That area is also optional on my C4's and I chose not to drill. RSG's are nice also. It did take two of us to install.

 

I also have the Angled RSGs and really like them.

 

Also have you seen this sale from SOS Off Road? A vendor here.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/2020-tax-time-sale-20-off-plus-giveaway.12359/

 

I have seen that sale. One of the pricier options out there. Even with the 20% sale, you're looking at $835 plus shipping...the sale puts them at the same cost as RSG, whose sliders I prefer.

 

Anyone have RSG sliders on your KDSS equipped 4R? I'm curious as to how that affects the installation. RSG's install notes on their site basically say unbolt the KDSS skid plate and line brackets, mount the skids and bolt everything back up, after trimming one corner of the KDSS skid plate. Is it really that simple?

 

I watched a YouTube video on the install, not on a KDSS 4R though, and the installation seems pretty simple.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeUtZwJ4f70

 

I don’t have KDSS, and installed mine by myself. Very straightforward, and I’m an old guy.

 

Well, I can cross one item off my list:

Sliders ■
Tires
Suspension

On a whim, I emailed RSG to see if they would do any discount or shipping deals, and Jason responded that they had a $100 off coupon code currently going - EXPO100. That pretty much offset the shipping cost for me, so I placed the order this morning. I had narrowed it down to RSG & Shrockworks, as each had a flat slider with top step plate (necessary for the better half), and I liked the looks and functionality of both. After viewing videos of installation of both, the RSG seems to make a lot more sense, using threaded holes in the frame already there, instead of trying to fish stick nuts into the frame holes to line up with the bolts, all while trying to keep the slider in place.

The best news is, they had the set I wanted sitting on the floor, so it ships right away.

Just gotta sell my Predator steps now...

Jason said to share the news about the discount code. I used it for these:

https://rsgmetalworks.com/collectio...-flat-sliders-with-grip-top-plate-no-kick-out

 

While waiting for the RSG sliders, I wonder if anyone on the forum is running their flat version, and could give me a measurement from the ground to the top/bottom of the slider, just for informational purposes...

Looks like the timing of all this sucks. I have to have some surgery on Tuesday, and cannot lift stuff for a couple weeks. I'll get 'em on eventually.

 

Good luck with the surgery and hope you heal up quickly.

 

Thank you.

 

I have to say, when I get these installed. I plan to post a boatload of pics...I have searched for hours, not finding any photos of the flat, no kickout, with grip top plate, version of the RSG sliders, or even photos of the flat with no kickout...I guess they're pretty rare.

 

As a manufacturer. Without kickout, and 0* sliders are extremely low # of orders with those options separate combine those 2 options and they are even more scarse, even fill plates are a low priority option but still ordered more than those other 2 options.

 

I have RSG and KDSS. It was pretty easy. As the website says, just un-bolt the KDSS brackets and slide the mounting plate in. Bolt everything back on and grind the corner off off the little KDSS skid plate. No problems.

 

Thanks. The lack of photos is a testament to your observations. In my case, I wanted a front step first, and slider protection second, so the 0* with no kickout fit the bill perfectly. I'm just grateful to find a vendor willing to offer that option.

I found a thread on the other forum where RSG wanted feedback on the idea of flat sliders when they were considering offering those, and a lot of responses were "why bother?"...I am glad they still went ahead with the idea

 

Take a look at BudBuilt as well. They offer a flat slider with fill plates as well. Ours are angled and we love them (and probably use them a little to much haha). They use threaded holes etc that are in the frame already and wrap around the frame in the back. Our 5yr old uses them as "steps" to get in as well. Not the best step but we were looking for protection first, step second. Flat would be better as a step but I can recommend them from a quality perspective. (same goes for their skids, we are Fully-Plated from front to rear with the exception of the control arms, still looking for control arm skids that work with the KDSS)

 

We offer those as well just not advertised. Heck we have one set being made right now 0* with fill plates it's one in the few hundred sets we've done recently. The "why bother" response you got is probably because flat vs 15* there is really not a noticable difference in how much the slider sticks out or ease of egress and ingress using them as a step. When people talk to me about it I go over it all with them. Typically they will stick with the 15* and once they are on and using them I get a message saying they don't know why they were considering different. Until you have used both, built both, and put both on and had them side by side (which most people don't) then it's hard to give someone good information so they can make an informed decision weighing all the differences.