Choosing the right step/slider

With so many options how did you chose which direction to go? I know I want black no chrome. I don't want to spend alot. But I don't want something cheesy. Been scouring the forums and my mind melts because of all the options haha. What are your personal choices?

 

Do you need sliders or a step? Figuring that out would be the first step.

 

Like @Antman said, are you just looking for a step? Or, are you looking for armor?

Some rock sliders also work decent as a step. But, no step bar offers protection like a rock slider. Still, if I was 100% certain that I wasn't going to be messing around in any rocks where I might need a rock slider, I might have gone with running boards or step bars instead.

I went with RSG because the price was competitive, the build quality was very good, and they had a lot of options to personalize them. I think they work as good as any other true rock slider does as a step. They also function well as actual rock sliders.

 

I replaced the Predator steps that came on my 4Runner with RSG sliders. The Predator steps aren’t very good as steps go. If you get steps I recommend getting ones that are full length. Sliders are designed to maintain as much ground clearance as possible, which makes them an inch or two higher than steps. Definitely a compromise. Steps are generally much cheaper than sliders, often by as much as half.

 

My 4Runner didn't come with anything, so I added some N-Fab steps because they were less than $400. I didn't think I was going to do much off-roading, but the more I did it, the more I liked it. eventually, I had to get some sliders because I did get into some close calls where it started to scrape & bend the side steps. I ended up getting sliders from 4X Innovations because I didn't want to end up damaging my rocker panels which I hear are BIG $$$$ to repair. I went with 4X Innovations because they had a sale, and I really liked their design w/ the TRD logo.

 

I appreciate your feedback. I don't think I can justify sliders, other than they look better. I will probably never do any crazy off roading...but I don't want something that seems flimsy if I put weight on it

 

I’ve had Nfabs, factory running boards and 0 degree step sliders. They all have their pros. The nfabs were easier for kids to climb in with, the sliders looked the best, the factory boards gave the best foot hold for adults and reaching the roof. I’d probably get the trail edition running boards if I needed steps.

 

I had OEM running boards on my '03 and they were rock solid. With 257K on it, there wasn't any sign of them getting flimsy.

 

I plan to get the RSG flat sliders with gripping top plate and rear kick out. I don’t plan to do any rock crawling at all (too afraid $$$), but do plan some overlanding and a lift once warranty is almost done. I’ve seen mild off-roading vehicles get damaged because of a lateral slip or taking a bad line where rock sliders would’ve taken the brunt. I’ve also seen examples of rock sliders protecting vehicles in parking lots. Sure adds a little bit of weight, but also helps lower centre of gravity. Cost is high, but only takes one incident for regretting not having them. I’m looking at it as an insurance component that for me, has more upside than down. I’d rather have new wheels that add to the look with some added width benefits, but there is no denying a benefit to a little extra peace of mind from rock sliders.

 

^^ What he said. RSG flat with grip top plate (no kickout on mine) - one of the best additions to my 4R to date.

The Predator steps hung down too low for me.

 

I don't off road, other than maybe across a farm field. I know the Predator steps don't get a lot of love here but that was what was on my 2019 TRD ORP when I bought it. Knee problems and a vertically challenged spouse make them work well for us.

 

For the looks and price I love the Aries 5in Running Boards I got;



For peace of mind off-road and easy to get in and out for my kiddo & doggo I like my RSG sliders flat with kickout. I don't like the look of the kickout much. May be angled would give a better look. But may not be good as a step. I picked the comparatively cheaper HREW sliders from RSG vs their much stronger DOM sliders. I need sliders 'just in case'.

 

I have N-fab steps on my rig. My 4runner sees gravel, dust, sand, mud, and wash board surfaces around 8 times/year. That's the type of off roading I do. The rest is highway miles as she is my daily driver.

The steps are nice, and I recently covered them with some Raptor bed liner to add some protection as the powder coat didn't last long. If you're not looking to do any serious off road adventures then I recommend N-fab.

 

Did those come on your 4R when you bought it, or did you add them afterwards?

 

My wife and daughter enjoy the OEM Predator steps. Some day I’ll take them off.

 

I bought 4x Innovations sliders after seeing this video. Buy once, cry once. They do not work very well as steps.

https://youtu.be/R19gBw1pKQ4

 

They were already on when I bought it.

 

I truly appreciate all the feedback and ideas who knew something so simple could be done complicated haha. I believe I may end up getting to Toyota trail edition steps. And looking into rsg down the road

 

Due to a bad knee (kneecap broken 2x), I needed a step for than a slider.

 

I've gone almost 6 years without sliders/steps. The wife is pregnant, so she wanted some.

Ended up running to Tandem Offroad in the Ft. Worth area that just finished a batch of sliders heading out to powder coat. Needless to say, once they get back from coat, I'll have sliders.

I looked at Shrockworks, Rago, Caliraised, etc. Tandem had the best price and probably the quickest turnaround I had seen. Now to trim the rocker panels!

https://shop.tandemoffroad.com/collections/armor/products/4runner-5g-bolt-on-rock-sliders-non-kdss

 

money wasn't the driving factor but I bought the standard oem running boards. My 4runner is primarily a ski and fishing car and I was looking for something to keep the snow, slush and mud off of the sides of the car. I think that they were about $300 shipped to me.

 

I didn't read everything here.
Question, do you even need rock sliders? Will you ever be on a trail, where you will teeter-totter the entire rig, on the slider? Bash, and beat them? Or are you just looking for a step? Or, neither? Save your money, and put it else where on the rig or such. My .02.
Rsg, angled, no kick out here, but i beat on them. If your not going to do that, put your money else where mate.

 

Same. Why you'd add something that hangs LOWER, to catch on shit, boggles my mind, UNLESS, you just want to buy a step. If that's your want, and that's fine, just buy steps imho. Otherwise, as close to the body as you can get, for me, and what i want/do.

 

I love my rsg sliders, angled, no kick out. The cool thing is also the door ding protection. Someones door will hit them, before you. Which, i wish i had sooner than later. We were up wheeling, and fishing, 4 days after i bought the rig. Coming down a one lane road, a car was approaching. I moved far far right to give room, and in the process ran over one of those metal temporary fence post shafts, sitting on the side, laying there, (i had to triple check my dash cam, as to what the hell hit us at the time) it flipped up, and put a mother dent in my pass side front door. If i had the sliders, im sure it would have kicked up on to it and done little, if any damage. God i was pissed. And again, sitting at the store/Wal-Mart/work whatever, people that part by you, will door ding the sliders vs your actual rig, not to mention the protection off road that ive used and abused. I wish i put em on 2 days after owning. I have the dast cam vid somewhere saved. It felt like some one shot at us, and scared the ole lady to death when it kicked up and smashed the door. Sounded like a gun went off. God i was pissed.

 

RSG flat with top plate and kick out! It is nice you can order them powder coated already so saves time!

 

I just got a new 2022 4Runner TRD Pro White yesterday, it came with Predator steps, I ordered Westin Outlaw steps today. The Predator steps do not fare well offroad and the step is pretty small, hangs down to far too for offroading.