BudBuilt Rock Slider Install 5th Gen 4Runner

I recently purchased Full Skid and Sliders from BudBuilt and found they did not have directions to aid in installation, it is not a hard install but here is a step by step anyways. I give it a 2 out of 5 beers in difficulty. This is my experience with BudBuilt and their product. Shipping for FULL skids and Sliders was $335 to California. When I ordered, it said 8-10 weeks (+2 week for powdercoating). I received shipping confirmation in 12weeks 2 days. Right on schedule as stated on the website. I ordered the .120DOM Rock sliders in textured black powdercoat. They match our Prinsu rack on top. Apparently, the closest spray paint to match this gloss is the Rustoleum Professional Enamel flat black. I purchased the Krylon PRO Semi-gloss Black. It is VERY close. I purchased some and used it to paint the bolts at the end of the install to hide the bolts. BudBuilt has been very good to talk to and has returned calls and emails. Here is the step by step:

1) When they came, they were shipped and packaged separately. They were Very well packed and there was no damage to the powder coating as I expected. They were shipped out the same day however they got separated in shipping and arrived a day apart.



2) I got a helper to lay out the sliders and hardware and prep the existing steps for removal.



3) Remove the (6) 10mm bolts and the plastic frame plugs on the frame rail. It is so easy, a 4 year old can do it!




4)Next remove the front parking brake cable bracket (10mm bolt)



5) Apparently it was time for a popsicle break



6) Next, I installed the lower front bolt (13mm) and pivoted the Sliders up and installed one in the rear.



7) Next, I loosely installed a provided bolts (13mm) in every frame hole that had threads. I don't know if all frames are the same etc but the sliders are drilled for many more holes than my frame had.




8) Next went to the other side (driver side) and performed the same steps for removal but also had to remove the stock KDSS Skids. (12mm bolts)




9) Next I removed and loosened the KDSS pump bolts and KDSS Line Brackets.



10) Next I removed the gas tank bolts, (4) 12mm bolts on the outside, (2) 12mm bolts on the inside.


Next I bent all the gas tank tabs so the stock skid mounts up to the slider mounting plates


11) Next, I used a wedge to space the KDSS pump and lines out from the frame so the slider mounting plates could slide under them.



12) Next, after fitting the driver sliders I noticed that they didn't line up due to high welds on the frame so I had to grind them a little as shown.




I painted the welds and moved on with installing the sliders the same as the PASS side. First installed the front bolt then one in the rear and loosely installed the others, then slowly snugged them all up (13mm) and mounted the gas tank skid.

13) Next, I noticed the rear KDSS line mount does not line up with the holes in the mounting plate. The bar from the skids does support it but I am going to make a few mods in the future to fix this.



14) Next, I reinstalled the KDSS Skids and found that the line skid plate needed to be clearanced around the slider supports.




15) Now, pop a beer and enjoy the fruits of your labor!!!!

 

Good looking sliders and a cutie-pie for a helper.

 

She is a HANDFULL! haha

 

Great writeup! Looks like your helper checked out after the popsicle break. Those are some nice sliders!

 

Great write up on this install and looks great! … my 4Runner has KDSS and man that seems like a lot of work; any other mods during install that you failed to mention because of having KDSS… like having to add more length to lines .. are you pretty happy with them?

Great to have help you can count on … Happy Fathers Day!

 

Yeah, her attention span is about as long as she is! haha. She stayed out in the shop the rest of the night working on her own toys, mostly to stay up late I am sure. They are very nice sliders, I am happy with the quality, the welds are good, the plates lined up to the threaded holes well. I have no complaints. I am planning on installing the full skid system this week. There is a good write up on this already so I wont be doing a write up on that one.

 

No mods to the KDSS, I wedged it out a little to get the plates under the lines and then I bolted it back. There is just enough play in the lines to make this work without modification. I did mention that the one bar actually moves the KDSS line up a little so the mount hole does not line up anymore. I am going to drill and tap the plate and use a factory bolt. A good quality self tapper could do the job quick and dirty if one did not have access to taps etc. I am happy with them, I will be testing them out this weekend in fact! There is a dry bed creek crossing that will break them in for sure this weekend.

 

Do you think the thickness of the mounting plate puts any stress on the KDSS lines or pump? It’s probably paranoia on my part, but the lines are so rigid. It seems that every slider installs behind the lines like this, so I figure it is ok, but my paranoia is kicking in after doing the install...I wasn’t able to loosen the pump, but with a friend’s help, we were able to pull the KDSS lines away enough without exerting too much force.

Great write-up! Wish I had found it before installing mine yesterday . Today, I hurt in places I didn’t know existed...

 

I am with you on the Paranoia on bending and stressing the lines. I gave a little extra push on mine with the wedge to bend the lines that go forward to take a little of the stress off permanently. I have not had any problems yet and it really doesn't move everything too far so the added stress is not "that" significant. I wouldn't worry about it. I've done far worse to brake systems on other projets. Like I said, my biggest concern was the lines going to the front because their length doesn't allow for the new tension to be dispersed over a long run. If I remember correctly, they had a little play in their brackets if you loosen the mounts a little. We have been beating on this poor car and the sliders and skids have been put through their paces with no problems yet. You should be very happy with your purchase.

 

In fact, this is the first rock that got me 10 seconds after our friend snapped this pic rather than spotting us!... It is always the play and things you don't have to do that gets us in trouble!

 

Thanks for the reassurance! I think I’d be more nervous about intentionally bending the lines than getting comfortable with the overall addition of tension to the system, so I think I’ll leave it be . We really didn’t have to yank on the lines too hard to get the mounting plate under them, just a bit harder the closer to the pump we got. I put in RSG angled sliders with a top plate, and they look awesome! Can’t wait to test them out.

 

RSG was our second choice but we ended up deciding no because of their label on them. I know it is a little petty but I REALLY dont like having companies names on my stuff if they aren't paying me to! Haha! I am really struggling with ordering the victory 4x4 front bumper for this reason, I am probably going to cover the label. I know I am ridiculous but oh well.

 

Just out of curiosity, does your 4runner say Toyota on it anywhere?

 

Haha, I totally understand that! I don’t like advertising for free either, but their logo is kinda cool, so I went with it

 

Haha! Well played! Yes, however, we did black it out! Haha

 

I'm with ya on the brand logo stuff by the way.

 

I think if it was your company, and you were trying to get your product on the market you would think a little differently. To each their own though.

 

Then I am ridiculous also, totally agree!

 

Yeah but you can hardly notice it since it's all blacked out. I have had several people come up to me recently and ask me what my vehicle is.

 

Great write up!!!

 

Just FYI, RSG will sell you their sliders without their logo riveted on the step. I have them on my truck.

 

@MyWyfsRnnr, thanks for the great writeup and excellent photos.

Do you happen to know the weight of these sliders?

 

122 total. They are 94lbs for the pair, plus 28lbs for the diamond plate fillers

 

This is a great write up. I really like the diamond plate. Textured powder coat looks awesome too.

Now that you've had them for a while any regrets? How are they as steps?

 

Thanks. Yeah, the are awesome. I am still super happy with them. No powder coat fade or chalking. They are on my wife's daily and no wear issues on the driver side where she uses it as a step everyday. These are the angled sliders so as a step they are high but my daughter is 6 now and 41" tall and she can get in and out without help using them as a step. The wife was the one who chose the diamond plate (I was not a fan). After using it and with the "textured" powder coat they use I really like it now. No slipping. I use them for RTT set up and top access/storage. I have beaten the bottom of the up a bit on some trails and they have done their job. No regrets at all and I would buy them again for sure. I attached a picture of the driver slider after years of using it as a step. You can kind of see little scratches but they are barely there.