Top Rock Sliders for Tacoma Owners Who Go Off-Road | ExtremeTerrain

For any Tacoma owner who regularly goes offroad, it’s difficult to find a compelling reason as to why not get a pair of rock sliders installed. Their value is hard to beat, as even a single hit without sliders can mean thousands spent on repairs and a lower resale value of your truck. Rock sliders are simply the perfect protection for your truck while off the road. What’s more, they can be practical for daily driving, too. We’ll go over the exact benefits, what to look out for when shopping for your Tacoma rock sliders, and also give you recommendations for some of our best sellers.

Why You Need Them: Protection and Everyday Benefits

Even though the Toyota Tacoma is capable off-road even in its factory form, it still has some vulnerable zones. The rocker panels along the lower edge of the cab present the main zone of vulnerability. This area is very easy to damage in difficult terrain as it‘s made from sheet metal, and once damaged, it becomes difficult and expensive to repair. It’s like crushing a tin can with your boot – without sliders, an obstacle like a stump or a rock can easily do lots of damage. Rock sliders deflect impacts, distribute any force across the frame, and allow the vehicle to “slide” off obstacles rather than getting hung up on them. They’re essential in difficult and rocky terrain. Don’t forget the usability of the sliders in daily driving scenarios either. With lifted trucks, they can help you get inside the cab or access roof-mounted accessories by acting as a step. Plus if or when you need recovery, whether on or off the road, they can be used as jacking points.

What to Look Out For

Not all rock sliders are made the same, so you should consider your options carefully first. Here is what you should primarily look out for.

Material and Durability

Steel is the go-to if you want a solution that will last. Most high-quality options are made from DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) tubing that’s 1.75-inch or thicker, combined with thick frame plates. An alternative to DOM tubing is HREW (Hot Rolled Electric Welded) steel, which is more affordable but less durable. Aluminum options are also available and save some weight, but they’re the least durable.

Mounting Style

Always look for frame-mounted sliders primarily. These bolt directly into the truck’s frame mounting points. This way, the sliders can withstand the weight of the vehicle. Avoid slider panels that are mounted on the rocker panels or the body itself as these offer little to no protection and can’t be used as recovery points either.

Angle and Kick-Outs

Slider angle affects both clearance and usability. Flat (0-degree) sliders function best as steps and offer a more OEM-like appearance. On the other hand, angled sliders, which are typically 15 to 25 degrees, improve offroad clearance. If you’re unsure, there are also mid-range angle sliders available for a compromise between the two. Kick-outs are an optional rear flare that extends outward, helping the rear tires clear trees or rocks by pushing the truck’s rear end away from them. They’re especially helpful on narrow trails and also provide a wider stepping platform at the rear door.

Step Surface

Some sliders include built-in tread plates or grip tape. These are key to being used as steps and can help you with accessing the roof.

Recommended Tacoma Rock Sliders

To give you a more specific recommendation, here are our favorite rock sliders.

ZRoadz TRAILX.R1 Series Rock Sliders

ZRoadz rock sliders are neatly designed, combining style and strength. They are produced using heavy-duty steel and finished in a textured black powder coat, which is durable, easy to clean, and adds corrosion resistance. These are a bolt-on solution with a low-profile design that works well with the truck’s design. With direct frame mounting and no drilling required, they’re a great reversible upgrade, in case you’d ever need to bring your Tacoma back to factory spec.

Southern Style Offroad Rock Sliders

Southern Style Offroad offers rock sliders engineered specifically for tough off-roading, as they’re built using DOM tubing with welded end caps. The design comes with kick-outs and a powder-coated finish. They’re designed to bolt directly to the frame, so no permanent changes have to be made to get these installed.

Get the Protection Your Tacoma Deserves

Rock sliders are just so useful, and if you do any kind of off-roading, they will give you the needed peace of mind. If you have any questions outstanding, reach out to our sales techs or feel free to go ahead and order a set of rock sliders directly from our store.