Thoughts on Aftermarket (RCI or Caliraised) rockslides vs the trailhunter oem rails?

[MtnToad]

I am by no means a crazy wheeler but am looking into so sliders/rails for piece of mind and insurance. Also would be nice to have something to block some of the rocks flung up towards the bed flare. Since I have not gone down this road before, what are ppls thoughts btwn an aftermarket option $900-1000 vs Toyota oem $800 with current sales?

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/rock-sliders-4th-gen-tacoma/

https://autoparts.bighorntoyota.com/products/product/rock-rails-left-side-d-cab-short-bed-pt73835242

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[TacoFreak]

I am by no means a crazy wheeler but am looking into so sliders/rails for piece of mind and insurance.

I looked at all of the most popular choices and picked the RCI sliders. I needed a small step for my wife to comfortably get into my truck and RCI sliders provide that. They give good protection for the frame, from thrown rocks and in a parking lot, while looking good too. My choice was also based on the recommendations of other people here and I am super happy with them.

Most of the other choices do much the same thing. The OEM sliders are more low key looking and don't give you a step or protection other than underneath. There are lots of good choices. Think of what you really want from rock sliders and pick the best fit you can find.

 

[DesertFast]

I off-road heavy, mainly rocky desert, and my favorite independently owned, honest and good people to work with is RCI. Their sliders are in NO way steps, but I ordered them for the Tacoma the second I got it home.

I’m going to repeat, they are not steps. The biggest complaint I would hear is “those steps aren’t really helpful” and my dogs had to learn to not try to jump in or out on them. (My last set was 20 degrees)

I couldn’t recommend them enough.

 

[TacoFreak]

No they are not steps. But the 5 degree sliders can do that as well as giving you great underbody protection. They made a world of difference for my wife when getting into my truck.

Plus they are extremely solid, nicely finished and well made. RCI is great to deal with and IMO makes superior off road-road accessories.

 

[TacoFreak]

Check out this thread for a good discussion of the RCI sliders:

https://www.tacoma4g.com/forum/threads/rci-rock-sliders-installed.6472/

Some early ones had one mounting hole which was not in the right place. Feedback from buyers to RCI lead them to a fix, and mine fit perfectly. They listen to their customers and are great to work with.

I totally agree with @DesertFast -don't buy them as steps, but they do provide a small step, while not getting in the way in the tough spots. Here is a picture of my 5 degree sliders with a tread. All the protection that you need and not bulky and ugly like steps.

 

[Kdbradley85]

I've had the Cali Raised sliders (step edition) on my truck for a few months now and have been really liking them. I got mine without the top plate (which you can opt for if you'd like them) to help with ease of cleaning mud. They make a nice step for getting in an out, but if you have pets or really tiny feet, you may want to go with top plates like are shown on the RCI sliders above. My dogs haven't had issues with them, but the top plates would definitely help. I just wouldn't want to have to worry about mud getting stuck up underneath of them constantly. They also make a "Trail Edition" slider which are angled and don't give you as nice of an area to step, but they don't stick out as far either. The OEM sliders seem like they're better than nothing, for sure, but the RCI and Cali Raised ones are definitely the way to go if having steps is important. I can say that the folks at Cali Raised helped get my issues resolved when I encountered them, and I think, just like RCI, have worked out some of the kinks people were finding with their earlier versions. They are both solid options, but a bit pricier than the OEM rock rails, no doubt.

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

I am by no means a crazy wheeler but am looking into so sliders/rails for piece of mind and insurance. Also would be nice to have something to block some of the rocks flung up towards the bed flare. Since I have not gone down this road before, what are ppls thoughts btwn an aftermarket option $900-1000 vs Toyota oem $800 with current sales?

https://rcimetalworks.com/product/rock-sliders-4th-gen-tacoma/

https://autoparts.bighorntoyota.com/products/product/rock-rails-left-side-d-cab-short-bed-pt73835242

Right now I’m running the oem sliders with some steps I bolted onto the side. I figure if I go somewhere crazy enough they can come off in the same amount of time it takes to air down. I put some fluid film on the bolts too. Eventually I’m planning to swap to some step out sliders (once some personal life things settle down and I can) because I like them more for ergonomics/function, but the step was a good/cheaper temp solve. I will prob go with cali raised when it’s time. They’re local-ish to me so it’s feasible to drive there in person ~ I’ve got a bad back so this is one of those installs I can’t do myself.

these are the steps I’m running as a temp solve if that helps

tbh it’s not too hard to get into my TH without step. I’m only 5’5”. But my back says I need a step lol so here we are. Plus I’ve got some folks with limited mobility in my family and these helped them quite a bit this week.

 

[bluecrush.taco]

I just bought the Cali Raised ones (Step edition), with powdered coating and bedliner top plate. I also considered the RCI but they didn't have a 0 degree version and didn't have a bedliner top plate. An overland outfitter shop near me that sells RCI sliders said the 5 degree will do just fine but I was hesitant. For me, its main purpose is a step first, and rock slider protection second. In the end, the pricing for the Cali Raised with their Black November sale was what sold me. They didn't charged sales tax and had free shipping, unlike RCI. Now it's a waiting game.

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