Cheap rock sliders

So I just sold my OEM tubes off my 14 DCLB and am looking for rock sliders....

However the nitpick about my truck is that I live on the east coast and I don't do crazy offroading. Mainly just light offroading on fireroad with a small chance of scraping frame on rocks. So I am asking this web on which budget rock sliders would work for me. I feel like it's personally unnecessary to spend $1k on grade A sliders for what I use my truck. Any suggestions? I've heard of Tyger but it looks like it's bolted onto the body not the frame, correct?

Many thanks!

 

Here to see the replies.... I'm in the same boat, OP

 

Your best first bet will be to see if there are any fabricators around you. There are several on the east coast. That way you can save on shipping.
After that, they all seem to be around 1K no matter where you buy from. It also depends on kick out, top plate, HREW, DOM and coating. Sorry I can’t really help more than that.

 

Our HREW Sliders start at $625. Plus I can knock off an additional $100! Fully bolt on. We're out of Chadwick's NY but ship fright.
https://explore-overland.com/shop/ols/products/explore-overland-toyota-tacoma-sliders-2007-2021-xpl-vrl-tyt-tnd

 

I was gonna say either explore overland, or if you can find a shop do the 4xinnovations WIY kit. Outside of that keep an eye on the BST section

 

Very nice!! I'll be in touch!

 

I agree - Go Local! I've always saved money by choosing not to ship & just drive. That being said I live in Colorado.

Those sliders look good! Post pics if you get them installed

 

Trail Gear makes cheaper sliders than anyone else by at least several hundred dollars, and they are DOM too. If you can DIY, they are the best option IMO

 

This. My trail gear sliders have saved me from rubbing trees on tight trails multiple times. Also you can get them from summit with free shipping.

 

Where on the east coast are you located?

 

DO NOT buy the Tyger steps and try to use them as rock sliders.

 

So do you off road or not
Because if you do not, you do not need them
And if you lift the truck (cheaper) you have more ground clearance to avoid hitting things, to the point where if your off roading is mild, you may not need sliders

Step bars are thin, light, weak, that hang down hitting things and make it harder to lift/jack the truck up. They attach with barely any mounts, placing stress on threaded holes in the truck that can rip (damage) if force is put on them.
With weight pushing on them, they bend into the truck, damaging it.
Some people prefer this.

However, sliders are good, because they:
-can protect in the off chance you do go over a high rock
-also act as step bars, but unlike step bars, are actually useful
-can protect the side from collisions, bumps, shopping carts, and door dings
-looks good

Is there budget? No. Nobody has to get them either.
Budget is a Jeep thing. Find the Jeep upgrade part, $50. Find the same thing for Tacoma, $700.
People charge more for Tacomas. The oil filter is about the only thing that's cheap. The truck itself is expensive, twice the price of a same year Silverado.
Can you buy used for less than new? Absolutely. Just like with anything else.
And it will be hard to find. Not everybody is exactly in a rush to sell at a loss their bolt-on sliders that essentially improved the function of their truck that they like and keep.

There is also local pickup to save on shipping.
And simply comparing fabricators. Some might cost less than others.
Some designs might be worse.

If you get a 20 degree DOM with a top dimple fill plate, 20 degree angle, kickout, and strong bolt-on design coverage, it is going to cost more than something that is
-just a tube
-HREW
-no kickout, no angle
-weak attachment design

still better than nothing
still can be sold later on if you choose something different

I don't know if it's viable to make it yourself. Like buying tube, a bender, welding
and freight shipping a large heavy object is still $100+.

Someone mentioned "Tyger Steps"
sounds like something that belongs in a dumpster

A slider with kickout can be used to pivot around a tree
one without kickout, cannot
the kickout is also there to flare out matching the line with the protruding rear bedside flare
Step bars cannot be used to jack up.
If you get rear-ended (you probably will, at least once a year, statistically), that's their insurance already bought you a steel rear bumper.
And who knows how you might get a front. Maybe someone backs into you parking. There you go.
So now you've got a front recovery and jack point. A rear one. But no side one.
Which is what sliders do. Slider attachment jaw onto a hi-lift, can lift from the slider.

New, it is not going to be cheap. If they charge $700, they charge $700.
Mechanics doing side-work typically charge around $50/hr.
So I imagine a fabricator (skilled with design, welding, etc.) would be worth at least the same or more.
They have:
-a family to support, wife, kids, dog
-bills to pay
-shop cost; shop rent, high quality tools and equipment
-labor hours time
-business (make money), not charity
They seem rare as well. Not everyone and their mom is fabbing nice parts.
That comes at a cost
They are smart. They can apply those brains to any career they want. If they're going to do something, they have to be paid. If they're not, and they quit, and nobody has anyone to fab their parts for them, that would be comedy.
Powder coating something that big also costs money.
One time I cheaped out on powder coat. Guy assured me he can do the best job for $40 in his backyard garage setup. He didn't even prep or sandblast like I have before. The finish lasted a day.

 

Perfectly said!

 

Lots of great information here. I’ll say even on green trails you might still need sliders…

 

Wish I found this thread earlier..

 

Nice build. Unless I overlooked it. The link doesnt give the options for cab models or bed size.

 

https://explore-overland.com/shop/ols/products/toyota-tacoma-sliders-2005-2021
Here's the long bed

https://explore-overland.com/shop/o...yota-tacoma-sliders-2007-2021-xpl-vrl-tyt-tnd
And short bed

$100 off, $150 shipping. Let me know if I can help!

 

Besides the manufacturering process and assuming differences in strength, are the HREW noticeably lighter or the same weight as DOM?

 

Not really

 

They aren't noticeably lighter. The difference mainly lies in strength and purpose of use. We offer HREW, DOM 120 and DOM 180.