Rock Sliders for Collision Protection (1 Viewer)

[gelbus]

TL;DR: Want to get rock sliders for protection from side swiping and side collisions. White knuckle rock sliders or bud built rock rails? Do either offer good or better protection from collisions on either side?

Hey All,

I’ve read various threads but haven’t seen much related to this specific function of sliders. Other than the occasional mention of “I was in a wreck, seems that the sliders prevented and major damage”. That being said if there is a thread already discussing the topic feel free to link.

On to my question. I’m wanting to upgrade to some rock sliders. Thinking of going with white knuckle off road. I like the the price, no drilling and the look. Also so that bud built had some rock rails that ran a little cheaper and had reduced weight. Interested in thske

I do a little off roading but it’s usually not over rocky trails. However, it would be nice to have protection if i decided to do so.
I am mainly Interested in reinforcing the vehicle to protect against side swiping and other related collisions. Just moved to a new city and people drive like bats out of hell. That in addition to narrow roads and quick merges makes me want to be protected just in case. Please let me know if any particular brand is better suited for this. Or if the sliders provide any significant protection for collisions of this nature.

 

[Tex68w]

I can't verify how well they work for an actual side collision but I can attest to their exceptional performance in regards to guarding against door dings. Short of a lifted Super Duty parking next to you, there isn't much out there that will be able to give you a door ding when you have sliders installed lol. In fact, they do the opposite and give their door a ding haha.

 

[JohnJB]

My truck has BudBuilt rock sliders on it and I put myself in precisely the type of situation you’re referring to. I was squeezing between 2 dump trucks and, well, I ran out of room. But hey, sometimes when you’re chasing down overnight parts from Japan for Race Wars you gotta take chances

I ran nearly the entire length of the slider against either the corner of the stop bar under the bed or potentially a protruding wheel stud, I’m not sure. Point being, other than it making some horrific noise, the truck came out unscathed and the slider no real worse for the wear other than a gouge that removed the powder coating and a minuscule amount of metal. I touched up the slider with some Rustoleum in a satin black, which is a close match for BB powder coat.

I have little doubt that BudBuilt sliders assist in protecting from body damage for the type situation you’re describing assuming we're talking about dent, dings, bumps and not Jimmy Spencer levels of NASCAR destruction.

My sliders saw a lot of use on the trail (helps if you open your eyes while you drive as opposed to pointing and praying, oh well) so you can see other imperfections from trail fun. Here you can see the initial hit on the scuff on top of the radius of the tube’s bend. The partially painted rub mark is from an off-road adventure but it also shows how the Rustoleum paint is a close match to the powder’s color.

If you have any other questions, let me know. I’ll freely admit that I’m a biased BudBuilt supporter... because they’ve earned that support.

 

[linuxgod]

TL;DR: Want to get rock sliders for protection from side swiping and side collisions. White knuckle rock sliders or bud built rock rails? Do either offer good or better protection from collisions on either side?

Hey All,

I’ve read various threads but haven’t seen much related to this specific function of sliders. Other than the occasional mention of “I was in a wreck, seems that the sliders prevented and major damage”. That being said if there is a thread already discussing the topic feel free to link.

On to my question. I’m wanting to upgrade to some rock sliders. Thinking of going with white knuckle off road. I like the the price, no drilling and the look. Also so that bud built had some rock rails that ran a little cheaper and had reduced weight. Interested in thske

I do a little off roading but it’s usually not over rocky trails. However, it would be nice to have protection if i decided to do so.
I am mainly Interested in reinforcing the vehicle to protect against side swiping and other related collisions. Just moved to a new city and people drive like bats out of hell. That in addition to narrow roads and quick merges makes me want to be protected just in case. Please let me know if any particular brand is better suited for this. Or if the sliders provide any significant protection for collisions of this nature.

Keep in mind you're effectively extending your frame if you do this. In general it's fine when you're rock crawling and lay up on a boulder, but if a vehicle actually T-bones you or side swipes you hard, that energy is now being transferred directly to the frame mounting points instead of being absorbed like the Toyota engineers intended it to be.

If you're doing this solely for accident protection, depending on the accident you could end up totalling your vehicle if it bends the frame instead of some annoying and expensive, but repairable body damage

That said, I have WK sliders.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

Keep in mind you're effectively extending your frame if you do this. In general it's fine when you're rock crawling and lay up on a boulder, but if a vehicle actually T-bones you or side swipes you hard, that energy is now being transferred directly to the frame mounting points instead of being absorbed like the Toyota engineers intended it to be.

If you're doing this solely for accident protection, depending on the accident you could end up totalling your vehicle if it bends the frame instead of some annoying and expensive, but repairable body damage

That said, I have WK sliders.

I had another customer tell me his 200 got t-boned by his neighbors kid the night after he installed his sliders. It destroyed the rear of the car. He had his frame checked at a laser frame shop and was within spec (no damaged). This is where I will say that with a BB slider, the frame plate is the entire length of the frame. Unlike all other sliders that have a coupe small plates over a much smaller area. When you hit something, hard, best to give it as much surface area to distribute the load.

 

[40Man]

Like any armor, it changes the way a car reacts to a collision, taking more force out of crumple zones and on to you. Still, side impacts have small crumple zones, and I'd prefer sliders and any incremental protection they provide vs without.

A front bumper is a different discussion. Hitting a smaller vehicle will make their car the crumple zone and provide you more protection. Hit a large truck and the impact from less crumple zone could cause you more harm (or if you ran into a tree). I personally wouldn't hesitate to run armored bumpers.

 

[gelbus]

Keep in mind you're effectively extending your frame if you do this. In general it's fine when you're rock crawling and lay up on a boulder, but if a vehicle actually T-bones you or side swipes you hard, that energy is now being transferred directly to the frame mounting points instead of being absorbed like the Toyota engineers intended it to be.

If you're doing this solely for accident protection, depending on the accident you could end up totalling your vehicle if it bends the frame instead of some annoying and expensive, but repairable body damage

That said, I have WK sliders.

Interesting physics point I had not considered. Thanks for the input!

 

[gelbus]

Like any armor, it changes the way a car reacts to a collision, taking more force out of crumple zones and on to you. Still, side impacts have small crumple zones, and I'd prefer sliders and any incremental protection they provide vs without.

A front bumper is a different discussion. Hitting a smaller vehicle will make their car the crumple zone and provide you more protection. Hit a large truck and the impact from less crumple zone could cause you more harm (or if you ran into a tree). I personally wouldn't hesitate to run armored bumpers.

I will be doing this once I upgrade my suspension. After I add on sliders I’ll about be at my Max curb weight.

 

[300blk]

Rock sliders can increase your risk of rollover when hit from the side.

They are not "collision armor."

 

[gelbus]

My truck has BudBuilt rock sliders on it and I put myself in precisely the type of situation you’re referring to. I was squeezing between 2 dump trucks and, well, I ran out of room. But hey, sometimes when you’re chasing down overnight parts from Japan for Race Wars you gotta take chances

I ran nearly the entire length of the slider against either the corner of the stop bar under the bed or potentially a protruding wheel stud, I’m not sure. Point being, other than it making some horrific noise, the truck came out unscathed and the slider no real worse for the wear other than a gouge that removed the powder coating and a minuscule amount of metal. I touched up the slider with some Rustoleum in a satin black, which is a close match for BB powder coat.

I have little doubt that BudBuilt sliders assist in protecting from body damage for the type situation you’re describing assuming we're talking about dent, dings, bumps and not Jimmy Spencer levels of NASCAR destruction.
View attachment 2545593

View attachment 2545595

My sliders saw a lot of use on the trail (helps if you open your eyes while you drive as opposed to pointing and praying, oh well) so you can see other imperfections from trail fun. Here you can see the initial hit on the scuff on top of the radius of the tube’s bend. The partially painted rub mark is from an off-road adventure but it also shows how the Rustoleum paint is a close match to the powder’s color. View attachment 2545596

If you have any other questions, let me know. I’ll freely admit that I’m a biased BudBuilt supporter... because they’ve earned that support.

That’s the situation I’m most concerned with. Is the running out of room and scraping from some idiot on his phone or other form of distraction.
Thanks for the input!

 

[Trukk]

I had another customer tell me his 200 got t-boned by his neighbors kid the night after he installed his sliders. It destroyed the rear of the car. He had his frame checked at a laser frame shop and was within spec (no damaged). This is where I will say that with a BB slider, the frame plate is the entire length of the frame. Unlike all other sliders that have a coupe small plates over a much smaller area. When you hit something, hard, best to give it as much surface area to distribute the load.

I have BB sliders. About a week after putting them on my neighbor backed out of his driveway into the side of my truck. Ripped his bumper cover off. I fixed mine with a wet wipe. That one incident was EASILY worth the investment in my BB sliders. 1000% would do again!

-Chris

 

[gelbus]

Rock sliders can increase your risk of rollover when hit from the side.

They are not "collision armor."

i didn’t intend for them be a catch all armors I may have confused in the post thread. Mainly concerned about side swiping and things of that nature. Rock crawling being another bonus.

 

[afgman786]

TL;DR: Want to get rock sliders for protection from side swiping and side collisions. White knuckle rock sliders or bud built rock rails? Do either offer good or better protection from collisions on either side?

Hey All,

I’ve read various threads but haven’t seen much related to this specific function of sliders. Other than the occasional mention of “I was in a wreck, seems that the sliders prevented and major damage”. That being said if there is a thread already discussing the topic feel free to link.

On to my question. I’m wanting to upgrade to some rock sliders. Thinking of going with white knuckle off road. I like the the price, no drilling and the look. Also so that bud built had some rock rails that ran a little cheaper and had reduced weight. Interested in thske

I do a little off roading but it’s usually not over rocky trails. However, it would be nice to have protection if i decided to do so.
I am mainly Interested in reinforcing the vehicle to protect against side swiping and other related collisions. Just moved to a new city and people drive like bats out of hell. That in addition to narrow roads and quick merges makes me want to be protected just in case. Please let me know if any particular brand is better suited for this. Or if the sliders provide any significant protection for collisions of this nature.

Unless White Knuckle changed the design of their sliders, you do have to drill. I run White Knuckle sliders and had to drill at least 6 holes on each side for the bottom side of the L bracket to bolt into the frame. Price point of the White Knuckle sliders is great, and they've done me well so far.

 

[mcgaskins]

One side benefit of sliders in terms of side impact protection is when a careless person swings their door into the side of your truck the sliders make a very satisfying sound while ensuring your doors don't get dinged

 

[Madtiger]

I think only ARB Summit has been formally tested in a side collision...per ARB.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I think only ARB Summit has been formally tested in a side collision...per ARB.

Do you have a link? ‘Cause that is pretty cool.

 

[Madtiger]

Do you have a link? ‘Cause that is pretty cool.

SIDE RAILS & SIDE STEPS

arbusa.com

“ARB has undertaken an exhaustive research and evaluation program to ensure all side rails and protection steps are fully compatible with side air bags and don’t interfere in any way with modern vehicle safety systems.”

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

SIDE RAILS & SIDE STEPS

arbusa.com

“ARB has undertaken an exhaustive research and evaluation program to ensure all side rails and protection steps are fully compatible with side air bags and don’t interfere in any way with modern vehicle safety systems.”

Ah, got it. That’s more marketing these days.

Across the boards of vehicles, air bag sensors have moved from right inside bumpers, to placed farthing into the vehicle. Some early Toyota’s, Jeep’s, especially Fords, if you replaced the factory bumpers with steel, and you hit something hard off road, the air bags would just go off (seen it happen), or just not go off, even in hard, front end collisions (also seen it happen). But today, under modern trucks like a 200, you can replace anything around the vehicle with heavy steel that has very different crushing properties, and the air bag system will still deploy, or not deploy, at the exact same rate as if it was bone stock.

So no, ARB didn’t do anything real, like conduct a crash test on a 200, and ensure it’s all good. They don’t have to, because those safety systems just don’t work like they did when they first started showing up on common production cars.

Separate of all this, for everyone. There are no crush can designs in the side, or rear of our 200s. Just the front aluminum bumper, the crush cans that hold the factory aluminum bumper to the frame rail, and the crush notches in the front of the frame, known as the frame horn. Air bag sensors are not placed outboard anymore, and air bags are not deployed from single sensors being basically crushed. It’s a system now of sensors, gyros, driver inputs, and the real difference, software that calculates if what is happening inside the cab actually warrants certain safety features to initiate.

Since it takes two vehicles, to cause crashes where something is not hit in the front, the emphasis is to always make the front of a vehicle the area where amazing load deflection occurs. If we, in a 200, hit the side of something else like another 200, the front of the first 200 will be where crushing happens, not the side of the second 200. I’m talking strictly frame features, please no one confuse about what the body is capable of absorbing, just talking the frame, where bumpers and sliders a bolted to.

I’m a big ARB fan, and because of the front bumper design they offer, won’t put anything but an ARB on any of my Toyota’s. But past that, their armor is nothing special.

 

[Madtiger]

I think that the ARB’s curved arms are designed to help absorb side impact... thus decreasing force of impact on the frame.

 

[Taco2Cruiser]

I think that the ARB’s curved arms are designed to help absorb side impact... thus decreasing force of impact on the frame.

View attachment 2546294

I highly doubt it, it’s most likely ARBs very common design style of giving a ton of space between things. That way it can be produced much faster, with looser tolerances, and not having customers complain of rubbing.

But, let’s say that was their intent. As we all can agree, and legit T-Bone at 40 mph will take out any truck, regardless of sliders. But if those ARB sliders took a straight on side hit from a backing up truck or a concrete barrier that someone got too close to, the ARB rails are shaped to bend into the doors. Then with that front mount only half way up the frame rail, the top edge of that mount is what will press inward. They should of put that mount to the top of the frame rail, where there is a 90° bend that offers an incredible increase in strength.

This was super common when the FJ Cruiser came out. Lots of people where making sliders with frame plates that when half way, or 3/4 the way up the frame rail. Then under modest hits, the frame rails would bend inward (the sliders never bent though), and companies started going to the top of the frame rail real fast.