Want to swap out my sliders for a more kid friendly step/sliders

My kids slip off the ones that came with my truck. These are what's on the truck now. Looking for suggestions on a better set of sliders or steps that look good and aren't so slippery.



I will say these current ones are really solid, because they mount directly to the frame instead of to the undercarriage like the OEM ones.

 

I would just Linex them but that’s just me though. There’s many options out there but you shouldn’t have an issue reselling these.

 

Just get some diamond aluminum plate material, cut it to form some step plates about 20" long, drill it and rivet it on. Might want to refinish the sliders first though.

 

I just installed RCI sliders and the plate helps a ton. Way easier to wash the top of my truck.

 

Not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for but it's what I recently got.

Rhino Dominator D6. Had them line-x (didn't have to), very sturdy, I would recommend them.

 

Thanks, but that would cost just as much as replacing it for me.

 

Clean them off real well and place grip tape on the parts that are stepped on the most.

 

Real sliders aren't cheap, so I would mod what you have unless you really don't like them. I imagine you could get top plates or expanded metal welded in for a couple hundred and hit them with some rattle can bed liner and be good for a few years.

If you don't need the sliders or protection, flip them for a few hundred and get regular steps.

 

This ^

I would keep them…your rockers and quarters will thank you later. Ask me how I know


https://www.homedepot.com/p/3M-2-in-x-15-ft-Safety-Walk-Step-and-Ladder-Tread-Tape-7635NA/100132176

 

As others have said - frame-mounted true sliders aren’t cheap ($1100 being the low end and $2k+ not being unheard of) and offer a lot more protection all the way around than cab-mounted steps. I wouldn’t get rid of them if it was my truck, but rather look for a way to add the grip you need where you need it.

Safety tread grip tape, skateboard deck tape, and similar products are easy to apply (just clean/decrease the finish well first) and can be put just where you need them without covering the whole slider, and can be removed relatively easily down the road (or reapplied).

Line-x or Rhino lining, or a DIY version like Raptor liner, can be applied to give more grip to the entire slider. Obviously more prep required and more cost. Also more work to repair if you ever scrape them.

Next step up would be getting a local shop to make a top plate for them. I wouldn’t do “diamond plate” because that shit isn’t really any more grippy than smooth plate. 14 or 12 GA plate with holes laser cut and dimple punched the way RCI and others do then offers a lot of grip. Or get just the plates Line-X/raptor lined and attach using a variety of methods (drill and tap with button head screws, blind rivets, track welds, etc.).

Hard to tell in the pictures, but those kind of look like Cali Raised sliders. They may offer bolt-on plates for them.

 

Seymour spray-on coating is pretty awesome.

$11 Seymour 20-41 Truck Bed Coating, Black, 15 Ounce, Packaging May Vary

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018Y3JRBC/?coliid=I292DYVNXONXS1&colid=31PMVLUDC3ZVV

 

Might be able to just make some rope grab handles that hang off the headrests for your kids to hang onto as they make their way up. I've seen some that are braided paracord and somebody here might even sell them.

 

Check Extreme Terrain website clearance section. I see steps in there frequently.

 

Thanks guys. These are the sliders. They have AP embossed on them, and you can see how they're frame mounted here. Some chipping and rust on them, so do Line-X shops do the refinishing before spraying them?

 

This is what you have minus the top plate. You may be able to contact them and have the top plates shipped to you for a couple hundred, then get a local welder to attach them.

 

GoRhino RB20, my 3 year old has zero issues getting into the truck on his own. Wife loves em and they look badass. I weigh 200# and zero flex. Best side step for the family imo

 

How old are your kids?

Sliders are much more durable, repairable and protectant than "steps".

I'd consider lowering the truck over getting rid of sliders. That is extremely, but I have a feeling you will deeply regret switching to steps over sliders.

Search out and talk to a local fabricator or welder. They will be able to put some top plates on them for you. They would even be able to just put them in the back if wanted and then remove when the kids are big enough.

One thing to keep in mind with your current setup, they are not dog safe for jumping in and out of the truck. There legs can get hung up in the gaps. It's the reason I insisted on top plates and tight to the vehicle for mine.

 

I agree w/keeping the sliders and just installing some skateboard grip tape or something similar to those connecting bars between the 2 main rails...

I don't know how this would be long term, but it's been great and has lasted several years on a few of my pistols....

https://talongungrips.com/other-grips/diy-material/diy-5-x-7-material-sheets/

I'd imagine 3 or 4 DIY sheets would handle both sides of the vehicle; this product is applied to the surface and then you heat w/hair dryer or heat gun to soften and activate the glue....

Lastly something to consider before replacing them w/a standard step or nerf bar is the added rigidity to the frame; not sure if the sliders made a difference here, but it's amazing all the crunching stopped right where the sliders are:

 

Just slap on some skateboard tape and you’re done. Mine’s lasted a few years already.

 

i have the amp research powered running boards on my truck. it’s way easier to get in and out because they are lower when extended. i got them when my wife was pregnant. she couldn’t get in an out after i had pulled off the stock running boards

 

I have grip tape as door sill protectors. Granted they are inside the truck, but stepped on daily and show no signs of wear after 3 years.

It would be a cheap and easy trial.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/10-grip-tape-door-sill-protectors.55042/

 

Yeah I thought it was going to be a pain in the ass to replace them often. But they’ve lasted 5-6 years already and they’re still on there like I put them on yesterday.


Only spots the tape has come off is near the bottom from rock scrapes.

 

I like the grip tape idea. I'll scrub these down and refresh them, then apply some grip tape.

 

post some pics along the way…

 

Rock sliders are cool and functional, but if your kids are not able to get in/out of your vehicle. Best bet it to put some actual steps on until your littles ones are able. Then swap em out back out for the sliders later. Adding grip tape is just gonna rash em up real nice when they slip again.

 

https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sok1241/

I got these ones when they were on sale. Wife can climb into the truck no problem. Double as a solid step and slider.

 

I chose to get RCI sliders without the upper plate. I have 3 kids. They do fine.

However I thought upfront if I lived in an environment where it was regularly muddy or icy/snowy, they'd be a problem.

(I don't.)

if that ever changes, I'd find some cheap way to get some grip on there. the tape looks promising.

 

I have GORhino RB10. I picked these specifically for the family to get in/out. Kids have no issue.