Just looking for some opinions from the peanut gallery. I've been thinking about replacing my Westin step bars with some sliders (not sure which ones yet). I find that I don't really use the step bars because my truck is at stock height, and the step bar sits very close to the body of the truck. My wife uses them, but I could always be a "gentleman" and help her get in the truck myself.

I don't go offroad very often, just little trails here and there. Are sidesteps on a Tacoma the same thing as running boards on a 4Runner? i.e. they gotta go?!

Best pic I have of the side bars:

 

Step bars/Running boards =

Sliders =

Fink

 

Ok 1 vote for sliders! I think I have a feeling how this vote is going to turn out.........

 

Yes another vote for sliders
Nice truck btw.

 

being that im at the same place (=kid though) i vote for sliders (add tape/? to step on)

 

Sliders or nothing.

 

Well, do you ever drag those side steps? (during your wheeling trips?). If so, get some sliders. If not, why bother? Especially if you're not doing much 4 wheeling. If they have not gotten in your way before, I'd say leave them on for your wife.

Also, even if you did get sliders, they'd be hugging the body fairly close plus it would be just below the rocker panel, so I don't even know if your wife would even be able to use it. So what are you more afraid of--a few dents and scratches or a ticked off wife?

 

Thanks scuba!

Another slider vote, I had a feeling the performance mod would win over the mall-crawler mod.

 

Good idea about the grip tape! I've also seen some sliders with little 'steps' built into them. Maybe those are custom built though.

 

The ticked off wife of course!!

The step bars haven't dug in yet, but the mounting brackets hang down and could be a problem if I started to wheel a little more (which I would really like to do). My next step is getting better tires, and possibly the sliders. I have this vision in my mind of how I want my truck to turn out, little by little.

Any recommendations for sliders? I know there are a lot out there.

 

First thing to think about is if you plan on lifting it.
If so, do you want to do a body lift?

If you do, you might want to wait and get that done first so you don't have a huge gap between the sliders and the body line.

As far as which ones to go with, DOM is stronger and more expensive, HREW is less expensive and not as strong but will suffice for the weekend wheeler. I had them on my Runner and didn't have a single problem with them.

Figure out what your budget is and if you'd rather have weld-on or bolt-on and go from there.

Fink

 

Oh man, I didn't even think about that! Yes I definitely want to do a lift at some point (the stock Bilsteins are still in good shape). Probably a OME kit. Why exactly do you end up with a gap if you install the sliders first?

As far as bolt on vs. welded on I would get bolt on. What does HREW stand for?

 

I say wheel until you trash those steps. Then, as Fink suggested, get a lift, THEN get the sliders on there. For your wife, you can fab up a little step you can clamp onto the sliders.

I will eventually get sliders, too. If I do, I will look at:

STUBBS

Demello

Slee

Or go with a custom set up from a local welder. Don't know yet.

 

A Gap would occur is if you do a body lift after you put the sliders on. Suspension won't matter

 

I should have clarified.

Body lift only.

Fink

 

Well the only thing is, the step bars are in perfect shape right now so I could put that money towards sliders. Maybe for my wife I could put a small step ladder in the truck?

 

Ohhhh ok ok, I don't think I will do a body lift. Only suspension. Sorry, I know a different suspension doesn't always mean a "lift".

 

Ok looking at some prices, I need to consider weld on sliders.

There is a 4Wheel Parts shop close to me, I bet they could weld them on.

 

The local 4Wheel Parts guys here are a bunch of idiots. Maybe you got some good guys where you're at, though. Be cautious, though. Make sure they know what they're doing.

 

Sliders!!!! Ftw