Pros/Cons of Fill Plates and Kickouts on Rock Sliders

About to pull the trigger on some rock sliders and would like to understand the pros/cons of fill plates and kick outs on rock sliders. I imagine the fill plates add rigidity, but are their negatives to having them? I'm on the fence on the kick outs. Thoughts?

 

The kickouts on my avid sliders work well for me as a step to reach into the bed by the cab. It also makes it easier to wash the back window.

 

Agreed!

 

What brand are those?

 

"BashFab".....his name is Chad....here's one of his threads......

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/01tac0ma-bashfab.314318/

 

I ordered some sliders from MobTown, with fill plates and kick outs. I needed something stronger and more functional than running boards. I emailed a few vendors, and the the fill plates from what I've been told help keep some of the dirt, rocks, and mud from getting on the bottom/sides of the truck. They also help provide a better stepping platform for little feet (kids).

 

Top plates help to mitigate rocks and debris from flinging up and scratching your rocker panel. The also help to prevent your food from sliding through when standing on top. Some also like the look. I went without them because the look isn't my style. One of the very few things where I chose form over function.

The kickout aides in pushing your truck away from an obstacle such as a protruding rock when navigating off road. Definitely went with he kickout.

I went with Pelfreybilt

 

Thanks for the feedback. Going with kickers and fill plates.

 

Fill plates can also help dogs and animals climb in and out, just be sure to put some sort of traction like friction tape / nonskid applique down on the plate, they can be slippery as hell when wet and the paint is smooth.

 

Does anyone make aftermarket fill plate that can clamp onto existing rock sliders? My pups are getting a little old and my girl dog slipped getting out of my truck today getting her leg stuck between the slider and rocker. It was really scary, she let out a big yelp and had a hard time walking for a bit. She is doing fine now but it totally tweaked her leg.

 

Glad to hear your dog is ok. I was worried about the same thing happening to my dog, so I got the fill plates when I finally got around to getting sliders. I always wondered if I was over cautious until I saw your post...

 

Just hit up the manufacture of your sliders and ask for the top plates then have a buddy tack weld them on

 

I got the kick out because it gives me a step into my bed. Plus on a DCLB, it helps break up how long it looks.

 

That happened to me as well. 90 pound dog came flying out of the back and slipped his back leg in the slider thankfully I caught him just barely and didn't get stuck. Just about had a heart attack.

 

Outside of mall-crawling, here're your answers

 

Hahaha I found it funny that out of ALL the responses OP got, only ONE was a legitimate response as to what the kick out and fill plates are for.

 

Damn. I really need to proof read for spelling mistakes.

 

Rock sliders with the fill plate DO prevent your FOOD from falling through though.

 

Oh for sure. I'm all for fill plates. I was a fool not to get them.