Rock Sliders, Yes or No?

I’m also working on the A-pillar grab handle …

 

True sliders are useless as steps unless you have a bump out or a flat plate design.

 

I’ve always liked the look of the Westcott Designs Sliders with their top plates. https://westcottdesigns.net/product/toyota-4runner-5th-gen-sliders-2/

 

I ordered the SSO with top plate and bump out. It’s nice to only have the top plate where needed as a step and their design won’t collect water between the outer tube and top plate meet.

 

I had them (CaliRaised, 20˚ angled, no top plate) for two years, but didnt end up using them for their intended use, i.e. moderate/advanced trails where they would protect the vehicle. The trails I drive are pretty mellow. My young kids used them as steps to get in the back seat, and I'd stand on them to wash the vehicle. The kids, wife and I had no issues whatsoever using them as steps (had grip-tape in areas where we would step). Figured no point in lugging around dead weight, sold them and picked up some OEM steps (the ones that match the pattern on top of the rear bumper fascia). Much lighter, and they serve their intended purpose. For me, having sliders was overkill. YMMV.

 

I have the RSG angled w kickout/toplate and they are just ok as steps for the front. In the back they work fine as steps. For a pregnant wife I don't think sliders are the best choice though. I would get some cheap steps for now and later on get sliders if you are planning to do anything offroad. Sliders are not cheap but getting that part of the car damaged will be very expensive.

 

RSG 0 degree with kick out and top plate. IMHO they are great as step and for protection. Combo of slider and passenger grab handle is perfect for my wife and she's short.

 

Nice truck! I have the same sliders, minus the kickout. I feel like one of the best advantages of sliders vs. the oem Predator steps, aside from the body protection, which is huge, is how they prevent car door dings...

Is that a @Level7Taco sun shade I spy in your windshield?

 

Ditto on elimination of door dings. I must admit that I derive pleasure knowing that if someone were to open their door too wide that my truck is protected and that they are the ones that get the ding.
Yes, love the sunshades. Once I figured out that I needed to simply place them slightly behind the visors vs. stuffing them they have been the best I've ever had.

 

Better shot.

 

Great looking truck, those RSG sliders are on my short list of additions to 4Runner. After that…I’m done!

 

Thanks. I have a Dobinsons IMS lift and am pondering the installation due to local lift shops not even knowing what KDSS is...
May need to go to Phoenix to have the work done. Need to install the black PVD lugs as well.

 

Only really protects door from small cars. Most trucks are higher than the 4R. Now if you are lifted with 285's then it probably helps a bunch more from the taller vehicles.

 

Gotta get the lift in...

 

+1^

Most vehicles on the road today are trucks and SUV,s. Sliders, steps and running boards are not going to protect your doors from dings. I recently had an individual open his door on a BMW sedan while I was sitting in my car next to him. Fortunately he didn’t open the the with a lot of force, but his door did contact my door, not the steps. This has truly become a false sense of security and a marketing talking point. If I didn’t have family members that relied on my N-Fab steps, they’d be gone.

 

I have the Eibach Stage 1 lift (2.75" front, 1: rear) that still needs some adjustment of the spring clips up front to make it level. I went with the RSG angled sliders, no kick out...added some 3 M grip tape. The stock running boards on the limited were useless (as a few other things I realized after purchasing this model). I went with the angled ones thinking

I wouldn't bash my ankles and shins on them every time I step out but it still happens. My wife rarely steps foot in the 4runner and my kids are grown so no real issues getting in for them as they can navigate these sliders as steps otherwise I would have gone with the straight sliders with kick-out like Burnt Taco.

 

Did you find a filler plastic part for rear wheel well?
I know front filler part is available with SR5/ TRD parts with rocker panel. But never seen for Limited. If you have a perfect finish after installing sliders it might help others to have more pics or even better with a video.

2.75 front is definitely high. If you drop it 2inch or under i bet it will give a nice stance and will improve the ride comfort too since the spring is less compressed.

 

Regarding door dings, I have angled caliraised sliders. Those might offer some protection from the doors of a Miata, MGB, or other small british roadster types. But any other door is going to hit my paint. Flatter, wider sliders might extend a bit further out, but with the curve of most doors edges, you’d get hit in the middle of your door panel.

Here is a 18 Higlander door vs my 4runner w angled slider. You can see the slider would have to extend around 2 in further out to have the door hit the slider first.

Another thing to keep in mind with sliders. Powder coating doesnt last. You should have the means and willingness to strip and paint these, every couple of years, Even if you dont off-road, gravel/sand/etc on will put nicks into the powder coating then rust creeps under and separates it.

After 2 seasons of use in an area that uses salt/ brine (around 25,000, including a fair bit of miles on gravel roads), this is what was under the powder coating. All it took was blasting it with a hose with a nozzle on jet, and a bit of scraping to reveal this on much of the underside of the sliders