Cali Raised Slider Install Questions

Just looking for some advice from people who have done this install. For reference I'm installing the Cali Raised Trail sliders with kickout, powder coated black on my 2021 TRD Pro Crew Cab.

I read through whats been posted (unless I missed something) and am going to add to what GREENwithENVY posted on another thread here: https://www.tundras.com/threads/rock-sliders.82085/#post-2155901

I had many of the same issues which include needing to file down 90 degree angle holder to allow the bolt to fit into it. I'll be adding washers and lock nuts to make things sit properly for all 8 of the 1/2 x 3.0 bolts which go in vertically. I'll also be marking and cutting on the gas tank cover to make it fit properly because although I got it installed by brute force it needs to be slightly cut to make it fit perfectly again. I was also short a backing plate (as he was) which I'll be going back to Cali Raised on Monday to address.

I used the s curved holders on the middle two bolts on the drivers side and used the 90 degree holder in the rear, I used the 2 shorter aluminum spacers on the rear of each side where the frame was smallest. I only mention this because the video didn't address either of these and I haven't seen written out anywhere.

Questions:

1. I dropped the gas tank shield, once I did that I no longer needed the 2 s-shaped bolt holders and could have easily just installed back plates for the front two locations. Does anyone see a downside to this? If I'm getting a large backing plate already it would make sense to have them add 2 more to the order?
2. The parts list includes 12 of the 1/2 x 1.5 bolts. Per the video you use 4 bolts on each side going horizontally and then 1 bolt angled upward into a square nut in a small back plate. That leaves 2 unused bolts. Does anyone have any idea what I supposed to do with them? it seems weird they would be just extra since it was a Tundra specific kit.
3. The up angled bolt referenced above is tightened all the way down but the washer is still loose. Has anyone had this problem? I'm thinking of adding some lock nuts/washers like I am for the vertical bolts as I said above to address this. Thoughts?
4. One of the bolts for the brake line doesn't want to grab hold and crank down so I may have stripped the bolt or the frame that it does into. I don't have a question other than has someone else had this problem? The line up is correct so that doesn't seem to be the issue since the other bolt went back in no problem.

Thanks for any answers or thoughts with those that are familiar.

 

In regards to this install might benefit from stoping by Home Depot and picking up some Grade 8 zinc coated, 1/2 washers and lock washers. I grabbed both today and am working on getting it to where I want.

From number 3 above I added a single lock washer and that allowed me to make the bolt tight and flush and now the washer isn’t rattling around:


For the 8 vertical bolts I saw somewhere that someone else added washers and spacers to make the hook (clamp) portion sit evenly so I stole their idea and added a HD washer below the spacer and a lock washer above the spacer and was really happy with the results:


And this is the passenger side with all 4 pictured:

 

For 1 above I’ve contacted Cali Raised in regards to my missing backing plate plus a few extra and they’re looking for some to send me so I’ll provide and update once I have those installed.

In the end I think I’ll be really happy with my install and the quality of the product but think that I wish I knew what I know now going into the install because it would have saved a ton of time and effort and thought if some of this was addressed.

 

I did the same. Used lock washers from Lowes to get the clamps to be at the perfect height to sit flat and straight.

 

Just had another go with them last night and finished out the installation. Cali Raised was great and sent me several extra backing plates and I finished out the install on the drivers side the way I would like. In the end I dropped the fuel tank 3-4 inches onto jacks and that gave me the room I was looking for to finish out the rear two vertical bolts properly and also replace the Cali raised bolt in a 90 degree plate with the standard lock nut, washer, backing plate configuration. From my perspective getting to the last vertical bolt is so difficult that moving the tank was necessary and if you’re going to do that there’s no reason to use the nuts clipped into the tools since they’re less secure and stick out more.

Big takeaways from this would be to watch several different slider install videos to get a better sense of the process before you start and to definitely do the passenger side first. That way you get a sense of how it should be before you do the more challenging drivers side with the fuel tank. Also I added lock washers to the super long bolt to make it sit a little more evenly and I’ll add pictures of that when I get a chance. It got dark last night as I was finishing out so I couldn’t get good pictures. Also I’ll add a list of parts you need from Lowe’s/Home Depot to install like this as well as the extra pieces/total pieces you need from Cali Raised to install like this.

I’ll try and adjust this post so that anyone who does this install can look and see everything at once that I learned by trial and error.

 

Hey Whittle, any chance you have a list of parts you picked up from Lowe's for the install? Curious if you have the 38 gallon tank which might be why these are a bit more challenging to install?

 

Yes, I have the 38 gallon tank which may be why the install was so challenging. If I would recommend anything it would be doing the install on the passenger side first so that you can understand where it fits and how it works with very few issues before attempting the more challenging drivers side. I’d also say that if you use their tool pieces you’ll have to cut a lot more of the gas tank shield then if you don’t.

For parts mine were Home Depot not Lowe’s but let me look and see what they were and I’ll post it if I can find it.

 

The Washers I used were: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-Yellow-Zinc-Grade-8-Flat-Washer-3-Piece-807128/204276487
Depending on what came with your kit and how you install I’d guessing you going to need between 6 and 11 of these and I might be missing a few so buy extra so you don’t have to stop mod job or go back and do it again.

The lock washers were:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-Yellow-Zinc-Grade-8-Split-Washer-807138/204276412
You’re going to need at least 10 of these (1 for each side for the vertical long bolt and 4 for each side for the vertical bolts with the hook) but I’d buy 14 to be safe in case I’m forgetting some.

And in the end I didn’t need extra nuts because Cali Raised sent me enough but originally I bought these: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-x-13-in-Zinc-Plated-Grade-8-Hex-Nut-816468/204275970
Depending on what you got in your box and if want to not use their 3 x clip on nuts to their tool pieces you might need between 1 and 3 of these I believe unless you ask them to send you a few extra because theirs have plastic threading to lock them down and the HD ones don’t.

 

how are you liking those cali sliders? side shots of them on? And thank you for the all the info!

 

I got a set of trail sliders due in a week or 2 for pick up. Looking forward to replacing my predator steps, which have gotten a pretty good beating from trails. I plan to use this thread as a reference. I will be installing these with the Valhalla Shield cat plates so i am anticipating some fab work to get both of these systems working together. thanks for the details on this thread. Some pics of the finished install would be awesome!

 

What finish did you buy? are you planning to rattle can the sliders if bare metal?

 

I love the Cali sliders. I have zero regrets over them and still think they’re the best possible option based on build quality and strength for bolt on sliders.

I don’t think I have any side shots but I’ll try and take a few today or tomorrow and post them.

Let me know if you guys are looking for anything specific.

 

I had it narrowed down to the RCI sliders or cali-raised. I like the 2" DOM that cali offers for that beefier look, and how they bolt on as opposed to the RCIs. Generally the square tube that RCI provides is stronger than DOM but I won't be doing anything serious enough to need the square. The cali's also offer better reinforcement where the kickout is.

 

I bought the trail sliders, with kickout and the black powder coated finish. It showed up in great shape.

Yeah, I think when I looked at the RCI what I didn’t like was the connection points were furthers away from the edges than the Cali Raised which is probably more aesthetics than anything else.

 

Actually the DOM tubing is stronger than square and supports more weight.

 

depends on application. Round is stronger when it comes to torsional strength, twisting for example. Truck frames are square for a reason

 

We need pics! I agree about the added strength and reinforcement by the kickout. I saw these in person at their shop. They are extremely beefy and very well built. I’m surprised they’re not as popular on here as other brands. Not to say other brands are no good. It’s just that the CaliRaised sliders are well made and well designed for their purpose and are offered at a competitive price conpared to other well made brands. I’d buy these in a heartbeat, but they don’t fit double cabs because the body mount is in the way of the rear kickout mount. I’d have to modify something to get them to fit.

 

I haven't purchased any yet

 

According to reports, for Cali Raised sliders no modification required. https://www.tundras.com/threads/valhalla’s-shield-theft-deterrent-skid-plates-info-and-ordering-post.84911/page-5#post-2152779

 

It is too bad that Cali Raised sliders are not available for double cabs.

 

There is no modification required to get them on, but that would mean not installing one of the frame clamps, the second one i think. I plan to drill the plate bracket in order to have that one frame clame go through the bracket. But then again, just saying all that makes me tired, so i may just say EFF it, i can do without one frame clamp since i wont be doing crazy rock crawling. I suppose it will depend on the mood of the wife and how it it is that weekend......

 

If you need to mod and decide to do it, post in the Valhalla thread and I will add your post to the slider information that I have gathered in the thread.

 

I agree. The frame holes between the Crewmax and Double Cab may be the same, but when I went to their shop to get fitted, we noticed the rear cab mount was in the way of the rear kickout mount. We discussed ways to modify the cab mount to get them to fit, but it’s a shame they have no direct bolt-on option for us Double Cab owners. I was really impressed with them, though, so I’m still considering going that route.

 

Absolutely will do that.

 

Anyone receive bare sliders from caliraised LED? What was your paint/prep process and how did the install go? Pics?

 

Thanks. I added a link to your post regarding the instal to my Valhalla sliders post.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/val...-and-ordering-post.84911/page-38#post-2269911