Sliders - Lightweight AND strong recs?

I’m planning on doing mild to moderate off-roading for overlanding purposes, nothing too crazy.

I have a wife and kids so the sliders will be used as a step, too.

It’s also my daily driver so I don’t want to weigh it down too much.

What are the best lightweight bolt-on sliders that are strong enough for some protection and still functional as a step?

 

How about 25 pounds each?
How about $1000 shipped to you tax free?

Greenlane...

https://greenlaneoffroad.com/5th-gen-toyota-4runner/4runner-hybrid-sliders-with-bump-out

I saw these after I already bought Go Rhino steps, but others have praised them...

 

The steel sliders are about 50lbs each vs. the aluminum sliders from Greenlane. Personally, I would just get the steel sliders. One big rock and you're replacing the aluminum sliders. With a total 50lb weight different between the two (negligible IMO) and the significant strength difference, the steel sliders are a no brainer.

 

+1 on steel.

If you're buying and installing sliders, then you're probably planning on some real off-roading (at least rough roading), so the extra durability is worth the weight.

Even for skids for unlikely use (like just driving high clearance vehicle roads), it's tough for me to wrap my head around aluminum. Significantly more expensive, pretty small weight savings, and far less durability (if you actually bang them up). Due to it's toughness, steel can be repaired much more easily as well. And you'll find many more people capable of welding it, if needed.

Weaker materials for weight savings have their place, but not where rock to metal contact under 5000 lbs of force is planned (in my opinion).

 

They sound good but as others mentioned, how’s the strength?

Does anyone have these that can attest to their strength and durability? Obviously won’t be as strong as steel but is it sufficient?

 

So maybe cutting weight corners elsewhere would be better? Perhaps a lighter roof rack and front bumper type of thing?

 

Also, aluminum will grab the rocks whereas steel will slide over the rocks.

 

I dont have the aluminum ones, I was all set to buy RSG sliders, but didn't like the wait time or the weight of them...

but I don't really need sliders, I never do any rock crawling...only about 30 miles a month up a washed out dirt road going to cabin

if you hit something hard enough, aluminum is gonna break...steel is just gonna bend

for my application, aluminum sliders would be fine, a little extra protection from on road idiots...and a good enough step for kids and GF to get in

so the question for you,
how much time are you gonna be bashing rocks vs how much time daily driving it?

 

May as well get dedicated steps? These “sliders” are all positioned too close to the rocker panel to make them convinient steps. If primarily a step and you don’t value their slider use cases, then they should be a bit lower allowing a more graceful step ingress/egress

 

I went with the Greenlane aluminum ones; I never intend to test these in boulder fields so tall they could reach the rocker panels. In essence, for me they are running boards - but tucked up much closer to the body so I can stand on them and easily access the roof. Yet if ever I should find myself in a nest of boulders they will offer protection.

 

One additional thing to consider is corrosion resistance. Your sliders will get the coating (powder or otherwise) eroded by road dirt, sand and gravel over time. If you are in an area that uses heavy salt in the winter, steel sliders will start to rust. With proper maintenance, this can be managed, with aluminum it is one less worry. Just my two cents. I have the Greenlane and have taken them on some pretty rocky trails, no complaints so far, but I do not rock crawl.

 

How about : https://hotmetalfab.com/products/rock-sliders-dom-or-hrew

 

If fuel economy is a concern, I'd recommend getting a roof rack that you can remove between outings. If that isn't practical, then look for something low profile.

IMO, you're never going to see a significant change in fuel economy by adding or subtracting 100#. Roof racks, lifts, and big tires are the real killers of fuel economy. Roof racks are probably the worst thing for highway mileage, while big, heavy tires are a bigger killer in city driving.