OEM Rock Rails Install Write-Up DIY, Photos, Review

[Airborne]

Those look great on your truck, thanks for sharing, like few others said about using as step, i may pass my wife is 5”. Size 6 shoe , she may be able to squeeze foot on there but no way my foot will ,
They look like they will sure great for the purpose, Good luck and happy miles.

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[Driftingcloud]

I’d like to follow up on a few things the OP said, as well as thank him for this write up. I picked up a set of these from my dealer today and at that price. These are NOT flimsy aluminum like the sill finisher that came on my TRD Pro or the Predator side steps Toyota is so fond of. These are high quality steel and heavy. The welds and slightly textured finish are outstanding.

installation was super easy and doable by one person. The rear can hang exactly as the OP said, but you do have to prop the front up on something to soften the angle. As would be expected from a Toyota OEM part, everything lined up perfectly. Even removing the sill finishers first, I was able to complete the installation in about an hour. The required hardware came with each rail.

They probably wouldn’t work as step for older people, but if you’re fairly fit and agile, they’re really okay steps. I’m 5’7” with a size 10 shoe. If I put my foot closer to parallel with the rail, they work great as a step for me, and they really help me reduce seat bolster wear as I get in and out.

Toyota makes a decent set of rock sliders that come on the Trailhunter. You can consistently find them online for around $365 each, but shipping is not usually possible. I took a screenshot to my local dealer and got them to price match and was able to pick them up today.

 

[Driftingcloud]

Thanks.. I thought I heard those TRD Pro steps are hanging off the body, not bolted to the frame rails like the Trailhunter rock rails? Hard to tell from the pics can you confirm?

My TRD Pro came with sill finishers. They’re made from the same thin aluminum material as the Predator side steps, but they aren’t steps or sill protectors, just aesthetic finishers. They bolted into the sheet metal of the body, NOT the frame like true steps or rock rails.

 

[hemlockz]

Siick ride @Driftingcloud
Those rails will protect your body panels well!

 

[TH_Don]

You can always add the N-Fab NFB-JPTS32 bolt-on steps which can be removed in a few minutes if you need the ground clearance. This makes it easy to step in and out plus they block a little bit of what's thrown off the front wheels.

 

[mercury25]

I'm seriously considering the OEM rock rails, I really like how they look and they don't stick out too far from the body. I'm wondering if a strip of grip tape on the top surface would make it more functional as a step if needed?

 

[malore]

The OEM rock rails are intriguing. Almost looks like they come with a 15º or 20º angle on them. Can anyone confirm this? Also, are the part numbers the same for short bed and long bed? I have the TRD Off Road long bed. Thanks!

 

[Afrinadian]

I just picked up a set, haven't installed them yet though. They seem quite beefy and am impresed at the quality at first glance. They don't come wiht instructions for installation or torque specs though, so I got a copy of the shop worksheet from the dealer. Here it is in case anyone needs the info.

 

[Afrinadian]

The OEM rock rails are intriguing. Almost looks like they come with a 15º or 20º angle on them. Can anyone confirm this? Also, are the part numbers the same for short bed and long bed? I have the TRD Off Road long bed. Thanks!

I've just uploaded the shop manual for thee rock rails. short and long wheelbase part numbers are on page 1.

 

[OldOre]

Toyota makes a decent set of rock sliders that come on the Trailhunter. You can consistently find them online for around $365 each, but shipping is not usually possible. I took a screenshot to my local dealer and got them to price match and was able to pick them up today.

Rock Rails:
PT738-35243 (Right Side - Shortbed)
PT738-35242 (Left Side - Shortbed)
Weight: 56 lbs. each including 11 bolts, and warning card that says not to jack it from the ends of the rails (which are just floating)

Powder coating seems great and the welds and bends and cuts are all perfect. They've doubled up on the steel on the back of the mounting points. This helps strength but also spaces the rest of the bracket face off the frame by a 1/4" so it won't trap as much water against it.

Installing takes about an hour, and totally doable by one person. One of the back bolts is designed so you can thread the bolt to the frame first them hang the rail on it, while you go to the other end and prop it up with your knee while centering and tightening the front bolt.

Takes several turns of the ratchet, especially the higher of the two bolts. I wrapped some vinyl tape on my ratchet handle so I could "bounce" it off the two sides of the bracket without damaging the coating while spinning on the bolts:

I didn't read the TIS, and not actually sure what the torque values should be but will add it if someone knows in the comments!

Anyway, perfect OEM fitment, well-designed, and easy to bolt on. Here are the installed pics:

Just to clarify, the OEM Trail Hunter sliders install on the TRD Off Road without any drilling? I really want to get of my predator steps.

 

[Afrinadian]

Just to clarify, the OEM Trail Hunter sliders install on the TRD Off Road without any drilling? I really want to get of my predator steps.

I went into the dealership with my VIN number for my 2024 TRD Offroad Premium and was provided the part numbers and the manual I posted earlier in the thread. (Including torque specs)
Now, I assume the 2024 and 2025 vehicles use the same part#s but suggest that if you have the 2025 to double check with the dealer.

To answer your question though, there was zero drilling. Bolting them on just took time. A 2nd pair of hands, although not necessary, would be helpful.

Hope this helps!

 

[OldOre]

I went into the dealership with my VIN number for my 2024 TRD Offroad Premium and was provided the part numbers and the manual I posted earlier in the thread. (Including torque specs)
Now, I assume the 2024 and 2025 vehicles use the same part#s but suggest that if you have the 2025 to double check with the dealer.

To answer your question though, there was zero drilling. Bolting them on just took time. A 2nd pair of hands, although not necessary, would be helpful.

Hope this helps!

Thanks, much appreciated!

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