Side steps?

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standfas

standfas

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Joined
May 10, 2005
Threads
31
Messages
158
Location
Friendswood, TX
I recently removed my running boards and will be installing a 2.5 lift this week. My wife and kids are moanin' and groanin' about how hard it is to get in the truck even before the lift has been added.

I know about Slee's step sliders, but cannot justify the cost on a rig that will NEVER see any rocks.

I really like the look of the truck with the running boards removed. I thought about trying to fab up something using the mounting brackets off the running boards.

Are there any alternatives to step sliders?

Thanks,
Keith
 
SROR has step sliders, or you could put nerf bars on it. The nerf bars are worthless though.........
 
If you like the slee steps bite the bullet and spend the loot they are worth every penny in my opinion! Your wife and kids are worth it right! Small kids feet or legs can get pinned between the loop styles so be careful :)

Here are a pic of mine installed on my stock 80...
I like them because they look stock yet still protect my rockers when I do go offroad.

Good luck with your decision, theres alot to consider when buying sliders but I dont really think price should be the determining factor considering the cost to fix damaged rockers due to cheap sliders:doh:
rims property cruiser 006 (Small).webp
 
standfas said:
I recently removed my running boards and will be installing a 2.5 lift this week.

I know about Slee's step sliders, but cannot justify the cost on a rig that will NEVER see any rocks.
Click to expand...

I assume you are installing the lift for more than just looks? When you say the rig will never see rocks is that because it will never go off road or because where you wheel there are not rocks?

If it is the latter remember it isn't just rocks that eat rocker panels. Hard ground, trees, stumps, etc. will do as much damage as rocks.

Now, if you are installing the lift only for looks and will never take it off road and like the look of the rig sans the running boards, I'd look into those steps that lower and raise when you open up a door. They are small, seem to sort of tuck up and hide well, and I bet someone has modded them to work with an 80.
 
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I understand the importance of rocker protection. However, the only time I'm off road is at the beach or in rolling hills on a farm. The chances of my truck suffering any damage is extremely remote.

I'm looking for an expensive solution to keeping the 3 women in my family QUIET!!!
 
corsair23 said:
I assume you are installing the lift for more than just looks? When you say the rig will never see rocks is that because it will never go off road or because where you wheel there are not rocks?

If it is the latter remember it isn't just rocks that eat rocker panels. Hard ground, trees, stumps, etc. will do as much damage as rocks.

Now, if you are installing the lift only for looks and will never take it off road and like the look of the rig sans the running boards, I'd look into those steps that lower and raise when you open up a door. They are small, seem to sort of tuck up and hide well, and I bet someone has modded them to work with an 80.
Click to expand...

I'm installing the lift for improved ride and handling, better towing for my boat, and of course for looks. :grinpimp:

There are no rocks on the Gulf Coast of Texas. :mad:

I've seen those "auto-retract" steps before, but never for an 80. That is something that I would be very interested in.

My short term solution is to Herculine the running boards until I can either find a better setup or save for the step sliders.
 
For a cheaper alternative, look at the 67" minitruck sliders from http://www.marlincrawler.com/htm/armor.htm or from http://www.trail-gear.com/rocksliders.html .

You will either need to fab some brackets to make them bolt to your frame, or just weld them to the frame. Mine are welded to the frame. They are MUCH less expensive than the Slee ones, and although not as strong as the Slee or Metal Tech ones, they will offer you lots more protection than nerf bars or the steps.

If you use them as is, they will work great as steps, but will flex a little if the weight of the truck is put on them while wheeling. If you add some gussets at the frame (which is what I did) they work great on the trail too.

_MG_9492.JPG


_MG_9496.JPG
 
I think I like Adam's mini truck sliders. That may be exactly what I need.
 
standfas said:
I think I like Adam's mini truck sliders. That may be exactly what I need.
Click to expand...

Neener neener neener!:flipoff2: Just kidding. The other more commonly used sliders are awesome! I just couldn't justify the cost and I had a set of these on hand so I used them. They've been good so far. Just sharing another low cost approach.

The disclaimer is that these will probably not hold up as well as something like the Slee or MT sliders, but for me the trade-off were worth it for the price. I think these are a great bang-for-buck option.
 
Could always get them a Mini-Van or something but that costs more than the step sliders. Alternative is a 4" lift and 35" with step sliders, say that they forced you to make the decision. Best bet would be to reinstall the OEM steps/sliders, sacrifice the looks of your rig for their comfort... (or think Minivan)
 
BHMCruiser said:
Why not just put the running boards back on? That seems to be the solution you are looking for. None of these other suggestions will look any better or worse than what you've already got (which is free, by the way).
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X2. If you're not going to wheel it and aren't concerned about rocker damage why get a different type of step?
 
CJBury said:
X2. If you're not going to wheel it and aren't concerned about rocker damage why get a different type of step?
Click to expand...

I think I'm in a "less is more" stage. I REALLY don't like all the superfluous stuff on my truck. The OEM roof rack was the first to go. Next were the running boards and last will be all the cladding...flares and body molding. I guess I'm trying to strip it down to the bare bones lines of the 80...which IMO are the best looking of any of the Cruisers.

Wow, was that a tangent?!?!?!?!

So...to answer the above question, I want something that doesn't detract from the look of my beautiful truck.
 
well if you still decide to do some sliders, here a full shot of my truck with the above posted sliders. Very minimal and you almost don't even notice they are there. So might go along with that minimalistic approach you describe.

_MG_9513.JPG
 
standfas said:
I think I'm in a "less is more" stage. I REALLY don't like all the superfluous stuff on my truck. The OEM roof rack was the first to go. Next were the running boards and last will be all the cladding...flares and body molding. I guess I'm trying to strip it down to the bare bones lines of the 80...which IMO are the best looking of any of the Cruisers.

Wow, was that a tangent?!?!?!?!

So...to answer the above question, I want something that doesn't detract from the look of my beautiful truck.
Click to expand...



Maybe you can try this:
s0172498_std.jpg



Tie a string to one of the legs, and pull it up when you're in!
:beer:
 
Box Rocket said:
well if you still decide to do some sliders, here a full shot of my truck with the above posted sliders. Very minimal and you almost don't even notice they are there. So might go along with that minimalistic approach you describe.

_MG_9513.JPG
Click to expand...

Hey Box -

You got any pics of how those are mounted?
 
KliersLC said:
I bet if you search for slider under his username you will find some.....
Click to expand...

yep you will. If you can't find them, PM me and I'll send them to you.
 
I liked Adam's low budget idea as well, and also needed the steps for wife et al. I got these from Adam at 4xinnovations.com for a good price. I like the kickout at the back (more protection & a better step). I will be starting a thread soon on the installation of these with an integrated cat skidplate.:cheers:
sliders.webp

P.S. I agree that the factory running boards (even if you don't wheel) look a little...shall we say...metrosexual...:lol:
sliders.webp
 
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