Why Rock Sliders Are a Must-Have for Serious Off-Roading

Many SUV and truck owners will rarely see anything more adventurous than the local Whole Foods parking lot, but if you’re reading this you probably have your sights set on treks that include dirt, trails, and beyond. If you’re serious about leaving the pavement behind, then you’ll want to invest in the type of off-road body protection that will keep your sheet metal clean and improve your ability to navigate the most difficult and technical trails. The best rock sliders will serve those goals and can also improve the look and uniqueness of your ride.

What Are Rock Sliders?

Rock sliders are almost always constructed of square or round metal tubing, bolted to the frame of the vehicle and running along the rocker panels between the front and rear wheels. The most common material used is steel, due to its durability, but you can find sliders in aluminum as well. We’ll talk about the benefits and drawbacks of both materials below. A good set of rock sliders will run below the rocker panels and provide off-road body protection between your vehicle body and the medium-size rocks or tree stumps that you’ll encounter on a trail. They’ll often extend far enough from the side of the vehicle to offer protection from trees to the bodywork on the side of your truck as well.

Why are Rock Sliders So Important?

If you are into serious off-roading with a Ford Bronco, Toyota 4Runner, or Jeep Wrangler, rock sliders can significantly expand your trail-worthiness by providing protection for your rockers and other body panels. They can also enhance survivability by creating a buffer for mechanical components found under the vehicle. The most technical trails demand that you put your rig into positions where it will rub or scrape against rocks or trees and without rock sliders, you’re almost certain to sustain preventable damage.

Which Material is Best for Rock Sliders?

Most rock sliders are constructed of steel, but you can also find them in aluminum, and each material has unique properties that provide utility:

Advantages of Aluminum Rock Sliders

• Weight Savings. Steel has about three times the density of aluminum and that translates to significant weight savings for the same design of rock slider. Less weight for your drivetrain to haul around equals improved fuel economy on trail days, as well as on all the days you use your ride for the daily commute. These savings can add up over the long term.
• Style. A polished or brushed aluminum rock slider has a unique look that you might find appealing to enhance the style of your off roader. Since most steel rock sliders have a black powder coat finish, this variability might be the deciding factor in your choice of an aluminum set of rock sliders. You can also get aluminum rock sliders in black as well, if your main goal is weight savings, or paint them as you see fit.

Advantages of Steel Rock Sliders

• Durability. It’s no secret that high strength steel is the toughest non-exotic material available for automotive applications. That makes it especially suitable for use in rock sliders, whose main purpose is to absorb all the knocks, scrapes, and bumps that would otherwise end up on your sheet metal. The density that increases the weight of a steel rock slider also improves its ability to take abuse without deforming.
• Repairability. If you use your rock sliders as intended, there’s a good chance they’ll sustain a bit of damage at some point. Steel is much easier to weld when compared to aluminum and most backyard welders don’t even have the skills or tools to work with aluminum. Steel rock sliders allow you to tackle repair jobs yourself, without having to farm the work out to a costly shop.
• Availability. The number of options available in steel far outstrips what is out there for aluminum, so it enhances your ability to find the set of sliders that matches your vehicle design.

Other Benefits of Rock Sliders

Protecting your sheet metal and undercarriage are the two main benefits of rock sliders, but they can also serve double duty as running boards for lifted rigs that are hard to step into from the ground, facilitating ease of entry, as well as providing a handy place to scrape off your muddy boots before entering the cabin. Whether you go for the durability and reparability of a set of steel rock sliders, or the weight savings of an aluminum set, you will be enhancing the capability of your four-wheeler, as well as its visual appeal. And at ExtremeTerrain, you’ll find options that fit your rig perfectly.