200 favorite Rock Sliders

[Tex68w]

I still suggest calling and having MT confirm that shipping. if you already did that I'll just show myself out

The MT sliders are $1345, they offered 5% off making them $1,277.75 and then they got the freight down to $391, I am not sure how but that brings the total to $1668.75. Slee sliders are $1145 and the freight is $323, that brings them to a total of $1468, exactly $200 less. Decisions to make for sure.

 

[Heckraiser]

My truck came with Slee step sliders (for LX570) and while I really admire the design and quality of them, they look very much like stock running boards to the untrained eye. For most, that would be a good thing, but for someone trying to un-soccermom their LX, I'd prefer tube sliders. The PO even installed the lights that light up the "slee" logo when you open the doors. Kind of silly to a guy like me, but again, exceedingly well thought out and executed if you're into such things

 

[Trukk]

That’s really nice. I “have” to get the diamond plate for the increased grip, especially during the times my mom visits. I have a step stool, but for whatever reasons she refuses to use it.
I guess once I get a lift she’s going to have to learn how to use the stepstool! But yeah, the dimples look way better and more stock.

BB Dimple up w/ linex coating (BB offers as an option). No slippage issues at all.

 

[lx200inAR]

Just passing info along. I joined a couple of the LX/200 FB pages and came across these sliders. Shop doesn’t have a website, but does have Instagram and FB pages. They are located in Cumming, GA. I accidentally messaged him and responded quickly, so I asked a few questions. Was super quick response. Pricing was pretty good relative to the other 2 LX options available. My internet sleuthing found pictures of two styles, flat with a kick out and tubing angled up at the rockers.

The owner said they use 1.75” tube and bolt to the OEM AHC protection bar rail locations with 1/4” plate. He guessed they weigh 40 lbs (I assume per side). This description sounded like this is more of a heavy duty step rather than a slider. What do you guys think? I’m guessing it would be hard to speculate without better images.

Price he quoted me was $900 for the angled tube version and $1050 for the flat with kick out version. Either way, all the normal mumbo jumbo, no affiliations, not guaranteeing pricing etc….

 

[tys4x4]

Just passing info along. I joined a couple of the LX/200 FB pages and came across these sliders. Shop doesn’t have a website, but does have Instagram and FB pages. They are located in Cumming, GA. I accidentally messaged him and responded quickly, so I asked a few questions. Was super quick response. Pricing was pretty good relative to the other 2 LX options available. My internet sleuthing found pictures of two styles, flat with a kick out and tubing angled up at the rockers.

The owner said they use 1.75” tube and bolt to the OEM AHC protection bar rail locations with 1/4” plate. He guessed they weigh 40 lbs (I assume per side). This description sounded like this is more of a heavy duty step rather than a slider. What do you guys think? I’m guessing it would be hard to speculate without better images.

Price he quoted me was $900 for the angled tube version and $1050 for the flat with kick out version. Either way, all the normal mumbo jumbo, no affiliations, not guaranteeing pricing etc….

View attachment 2896542View attachment 2896543

View attachment 2896536

Good lookin out! Just put down a deposit for a set.

 

[lx200inAR]

Good lookin out! Just put down a deposit for a set.

Awesome. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out.

Are you having them shipped? Did you get a quote on that part?

 

[tys4x4]

Awesome. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out.

Are you having them shipped? Did you get a quote on that part?

He estimated around $100 but was going to get me an exact quote this afternoon.
Also he said his current lead time is 3-4 weeks which is better than most other fabricators right now.

 

[lx200inAR]

Any concerns about the mounting method? Just climbed under truck. Looks like 6 bolts hold on the AHC protection bar brackets. 2 at each end and 2 near middle. Look mostly beefy, but I’m sure Toyota didn’t design the AHC protection bars to function as a slider. Do most of the aftermarket sliders bolt through the frame rails? That’s what I thought, but I could be wrong.

 

[tys4x4]

I can’t speak for the 200, but I know on my old FJ all aftermarket (and factory) sliders bolted into the side of the frame and that was plenty. I don’t have plans of intentionally rock crawling my LX, I’ll save that stuff for the Tacoma. I think they’ll offer enough protection for 95% of us. I’ll just be sure to use appropriate hardware to mount.

 

[bloc]

I can’t speak for the 200, but I know on my old FJ all aftermarket (and factory) sliders bolted into the side of the frame and that was plenty. I don’t have plans of intentionally rock crawling my LX, I’ll save that stuff for the Tacoma. I think they’ll offer enough protection for 95% of us. I’ll just be sure to use appropriate hardware to mount.

Did the old FJ stuff bolt to existing threaded inserts in the frame or "lollipops" or added hardware such as what budbuilt and other fabricators use for sliders and other heavy accessories? There is a huge difference between these two attachment methods.

Not that I'm bagging on these for the correct use.

I agree with the above "heavy duty step vs slider" assessment. Keeping in mind that "slider" means potentially slam the vehicle weight down onto a rock with it, slide along it, and avoid frame or body damage. I could see this mounting hardware pulling out of the frame in those conditions. But for incidental protection.. with no "slam"... they seem adequate.

 

[greynolds]

Did the old FJ stuff bolt to existing threaded inserts in the frame or "lollipops" or added hardware such as what budbuilt and other fabricators use for sliders and other heavy accessories? There is a huge difference between these two attachment methods.

Not that I'm bagging on these for the correct use.

I agree with the above "heavy duty step vs slider" assessment. Keeping in mind that "slider" means potentially slam the vehicle weight down onto a rock with it, slide along it, and avoid frame or body damage. I could see this mounting hardware pulling out of the frame in those conditions. But for incidental protection.. with no "slam"... they seem adequate.

I'm not sure that protection from a slam requires extreme measures in how the sliders are bolted, welded, or otherwise attached to the frame. For a slam, the stoutness of the slider itself is what should really matter, so essentially a stout piece of steel under the frame that's simply attached so it's there when you slam down on a rock or other object should be sufficient. For sliding, the attachment becomes more critical because you don't want the slider detaching from or ripping through the mounting points.

 

[bloc]

I'm not sure that protection from a slam requires extreme measures in how the sliders are bolted, welded, or otherwise attached to the frame. For a slam, the stoutness of the slider itself is what should really matter, so essentially a stout piece of steel under the frame that's simply attached so it's there when you slam down on a rock or other object should be sufficient. For sliding, the attachment becomes more critical because you don't want the slider detaching from or ripping through the mounting points.

If the slam is from a rock to the slider but not the frame also, the slider's attachment starts to matter a lot, otherwise it can bend upward and contact the body. Depending on how the slider is constructed and where it hits the body, this could be inconsequential, or really bad.

Hypothetically if the slider is box steel that contacted the whole pinch weld along the rocker panel, this would distribute force well and likely not hurt much. But the pinch weld contacting three slider legs when they get pushed up into it, for instance..

All of this is (I believe) why budbuilt, being the gold standard in tough-as-hell sliders and skids, uses such overwhelming levels of attachment to the frame.

 

[Madtiger]

If the slam is from a rock to the slider but not the frame also, the slider's attachment starts to matter a lot, otherwise it can bend upward and contact the body. Depending on how the slider is constructed and where it hits the body, this could be inconsequential, or really bad.

Hypothetically if the slider is box steel that contacted the whole pinch weld along the rocker panel, this would distribute force well and likely not hurt much. But the pinch weld contacting three slider legs when they get pushed up into it, for instance..

All of this is (I believe) why budbuilt, being the gold standard in tough-as-hell sliders and skids, uses such overwhelming levels of attachment to the frame.

I am no expert……but it takes a lot of force to “strip” a bolt. So, in the slider in question above, there are six bolts…it will take a lot of force to pull those bolts out of the frame, right? Honest question.

 

[greynolds]

If the slam is from a rock to the slider but not the frame also, the slider's attachment starts to matter a lot, otherwise it can bend upward and contact the body. Depending on how the slider is constructed and where it hits the body, this could be inconsequential, or really bad.

Hypothetically if the slider is box steel that contacted the whole pinch weld along the rocker panel, this would distribute force well and likely not hurt much. But the pinch weld contacting three slider legs when they get pushed up into it, for instance..

All of this is (I believe) why budbuilt, being the gold standard in tough-as-hell sliders and skids, uses such overwhelming levels of attachment to the frame.

Yeah, if there’s any twisting involved, the mounting method definitely matters. I was thinking of dropping down on a rock at a slider point under the frame.

 

[AnyMal]

Just passing info along. I joined a couple of the LX/200 FB pages and came across these sliders. Shop doesn’t have a website, but does have Instagram and FB pages. They are located in Cumming, GA. I accidentally messaged him and responded quickly, so I asked a few questions. Was super quick response. Pricing was pretty good relative to the other 2 LX options available. My internet sleuthing found pictures of two styles, flat with a kick out and tubing angled up at the rockers.

The owner said they use 1.75” tube and bolt to the OEM AHC protection bar rail locations with 1/4” plate. He guessed they weigh 40 lbs (I assume per side). This description sounded like this is more of a heavy duty step rather than a slider. What do you guys think? I’m guessing it would be hard to speculate without better images.

Price he quoted me was $900 for the angled tube version and $1050 for the flat with kick out version. Either way, all the normal mumbo jumbo, no affiliations, not guaranteeing pricing etc….

View attachment 2896542View attachment 2896543

View attachment 2896536

Mounting technicals aside, i dont like tubes because I wouldnt want my mom or anyone to slip on them but those are pretty good looking for tubes.
I haven't seen anything for the LX that i would have bought yet but they are tempting.
You could always stick some grip tape on them.

Looking forward to hearing the guinea pigs feedback on this one.

 

[grinchy]

Example of how the slider frame attachment could meet the frame rail for max strength (center of photo, Metaltech 4x4 LX570 slider). The slider frame attachment bolts into the side and bottom of the frame rail along its entire length.

 

[lx200inAR]

There are 2 version pictured there. I would go with the kickout, and while it is tube supported, there is a filler plate on top to make a step. I like the kickout, because i usually use my step and then stand on the rear wheel to access my rack.

 

[bloc]

I am no expert……but it takes a lot of force to “strip” a bolt. So, in the slider in question above, there are six bolts…it will take a lot of force to pull those bolts out of the frame, right? Honest question.

We could get into the weeds with all the variables of bolt grade, hardware thickness, etc.. but no need. In this case the frame itself isn't threaded, there is an insert welded into the frame that the bolt screws in to. That mounting system is not at all designed to handle the weight of the vehicle, on a lever arm a foot or two out from the frame. It is designed for some brackets intended to provide moderate protection to the AHC parts, which are themselves tucked up between the rocker panel low point and frame.

So yeah, it would take quite a bit of force to pull those bolts out of the frame. Either the bolt will break, or the insert or bolt strip, or maybe even stretch the hole in the frame and pull the insert out of it. These failures require a lot of force.. Probably in the thousands of pounds per bolt area. But with the leverage of the mounting legs, how narrow the spread is from top to bottom bolts, etc.. it's not a particularly good way to minimize how forces are applied to those bolts. Compared to what would be applied to them when the vehicle slams down on a rock... I'm betting they aren't up to that task.

If you look at the MT sliders @grinchy posted, the plate wrapping around the bottom of the frame and putting those lower bolts in shear dramatically increases how much force the mounting plates can distribute to the frame. Bolts stripping, threads pulling out, none of that is an issue. It is much, much harder to drag a bolt or nut-sert sideways through frame steel than to pull the insert straight out. You have the bolt tight against the slider clamping the metal together providing a ton of friction.. that is one very good way to apply force.

 

[NYC570]

The LX Slee sliders are bolted to the side and bottom of the frame rail. Nothing goes through the frame and I don't belive any of the sliders available go through the frame at any attachment point.

 

[sleeoffroad]

FWIW, we just made another batch of sliders live this morning. Will probably sell out fast.