Rock sliders are an essential component of protecting your 4×4 vehicle from damage. When you travel over bumps, dips, rocks, and other obstacles, the rocker panels on your vehicle are prime targets for suffering dents and scrapes. But with a good set of rock sliders, you don’t have to worry about that!
The key word here is “good.”
Not all rock sliders are made alike. When tasked with protecting your vehicle, you want your sliders to have the durability of standing up to the rigors of sliding over obstacles while supporting the full weight of your rig. So, what sliders should you consider? Check out our list of the best rock sliders of 2024 to find out!
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KrashFab
There are rock sliders, and then there are KrashFab rock sliders…
When you invest in something as important as rock sliders, you absolutely have to heed the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” Well, with these made-in-the-USA sliders, you get the quality and durability you need to protect your vehicle on your weekend four-wheeling adventures.
Rock sliders are so important because they truly protect your investment. When off-roading, it’s easy to hit the bottom of your vehicle’s rocker panels and doors, which can severely damage the body. This kind of damage is very expensive to fix! As a bonus, sliders provide a step for easier access to your vehicle while providing a styling feature that says you’re ready to conquer whatever is to come.
What sets KrashFab sliders apart from the competition, you ask? For starters, KrashFab is a family-run business, which means they are intimately attuned to the needs of their customers. You aren’t some random order number; you’re a valued client who deserves high-quality customer service before, during, and after the sale.
Of course, with more than 20 years of experience, the KrashFab crew has the know-how and skills to fabricate equipment that can withstand the use and abuse of off-road travel. A good example of this is the construction of the Extreme Duty Rock Sliders. The bottom tubes are a robust 2 x 1/4 inches, while the top tubes are 2 x 1/8 inches. All tubing is DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel), a high-strength steel tubing formed with no seam. Not only that, but all the stanchions and plates are laser cut and made from 1/4-inch steel.
In other words, you won’t find a more robust set of rock sliders for your 2007-current JKU, JLU Wrangler or JT Gladiator. In fact, these bad boys are 25 pounds heavier than KrashFab’s standard sliders. Yet, at just 130 pounds for the pair, they’re a nice balance between strength and weight.
Again, the value of these rock sliders isn’t just in their construction and materials; it’s also about the company that backs them. KrashFab has a full-service welding and fabrication shop and makes auto parts of all kinds for Jeeps and other off-road vehicles. These folks know their stuff, and their finished products and DIY kits prove it!
If you’re ready to level up the protection on your Wrangler with some new rock sliders, KrashFab’s Extreme Duty sliders are the perfect choice. You can also order custom-made sliders for any vehicle as a DIY-style kit or a partially assembled kit that’s ready to be welded or bolted on. Whatever you order, you’ll get a high-quality, beautifully engineered product backed by made-in-the-USA quality. What’s not to like?!
Learn more about KrashFab Extreme Duty Rock Sliders
Rock Slide Engineering
I have Rock Slide Engineering Step Sliders on my 2020 Jeep Gladiator, and they have been a great addition to my rig. Rock Slide Engineering knows how to build a quality slider that’s trail-rated yet offers the convenience of a power step for everyday use.
Something I really like about these step sliders is that they deploy 12 inches to make getting on the step ultra easy – that goes for me, my wife, and my young son. Yet, when the steps retract, they are completely flush – and I mean completely flush, so there’s no concern about the steps peeking out below the sliders and suffering damage.
Their third-generation model (which fits 2020-2023 Gladiators) has an updated design that includes a curvature to match the contours of the Gladiator. Not only does this look great, but it also functions better to protect the Jeep’s rocker panels.
Rock Slide Engineering has also incorporated updated technology into these sliders for a more consistent level of performance. Rather than using gas struts, Rock Slide Engineering uses smart motor technology that offers longer-lasting performance in all types of weather conditions. Not only that, but these sliders also have a sleep mode to help protect against battery drain.
These steps are made from 10-gauge steel and features stainless steel and aluminum internal parts that resist rust. These sliders are also powder coated for an added layer of durability. My slider steps have been on my Jeep for years now, and they look every bit as good as they did on day one! Well, apart from some war wounds from the trail, but you get the point!
On top of all that, these sliders are easy to install. Rock Slide Engineering manufactures these steps to use the factory mounting points, so no drilling is required. They’re also plug-and-play, using a standalone wiring harness that preserves your truck’s warranty.
While these sliders aren’t intended for the really rough stuff, you can rely on them for moderate off-road use. That’s plenty for most of us!
Learn more about Rock Slide Engineering
CBI Offroad
At CBI Offroad, you can find rock sliders for all sorts of popular overlanding and off-roading rigs, including Jeeps, Broncos, and 4Runners. For the purposes of highlighting the value of CBI products, I’ll use their bolt-on rock sliders for 2010-2023 4Runners as an example.
For starters, the bolt-on design is much-appreciated. I don’t know many folks who love to spend hours on end making an improvement to their rig; with these sliders, you’re committed for about an hour to complete the process. Nice!
These sliders are constructed of high-quality steel, giving you the peace of mind that when the going gets rough, your rig’s rocker panels are fully protected. Not only that, but these sliders are fully capable of supporting the entire weight of the vehicle – just what you want when you’re shopping for the best rock sliders for your needs.
You can choose either bare metal or powder-coated black to fit your specific tastes. In either case, these made-in-the-USA rock sliders offer all the protection your vehicle needs while also providing a jack point for jacking your vehicle on the trail, in the driveway, and points in between.
With side recovery attachment points, the option to add kick outs, and your choice of hot rolled electrically welded or drawn over mandrel tubes, these CBI sliders give you all the firepower you need to protect your vehicle and have fun exploring off-the-grid locations!
Hefty Fabworks
Hefty Fabworks is yet another top pick for the best rock sliders of 2024, and for good reason. Not only does Hefty Fabworks have sliders for a variety of vehicles, but their sliders have lots of features at a great price. That’s a great combination!
Whether your rig is a Tacoma, Xterra, GX460, or something in between, Hefty Fabworks has the sliders for you. This includes those of you with a 2021 or newer Ford Bronco…
As you can see in the images above and below, these rock sliders offer all the protection your rocker panels need. As is the case with many top rock sliders, these are 100 percent bolt-on for ease of installation. But don’t let the ease of installation fool you into thinking these sliders are somehow not up to the task!
Hefty Fabworks manufactures every set of sliders using a CNC machine. So, the metal is cut, bent, and fabricated to high tolerances using top-quality American steel. Not only that, but each set of sliders is assembled using a jig, which eliminates human error and ensures that the sliders you order will fit your vehicle perfectly.
These sliders feature an integrated kick out as well as a tread plate that double as protective devices and improve your ability to get in and out of the vehicle. On the protection front, you can rely on gusseted legs for added strength for the 2″ x 2″ x .188″ tubing.
If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, you can take advantage of various powder coating options and installation services. If you’re not in the area, you’ll get your rock sliders shipped to you with a raw finish that requires powder coating before installation. You’ll also receive all the hardware needed to bolt these bad boys on your Bronco or other 4×4. Whether you have these installed or do it yourself, you’ll have some good-looking, durable sliders that offer your rig the protection it needs for years and years to come!
Learn more about Hefty Fabworks
C4 Fabrication
C4 Fabrication is the next company on my list of the best rock sliders of 2024 because of its wide selection of sliders for Toyota and Lexus vehicles. These sliders are also designed and manufactured in the heart of the U.S. in Sturgis, South Dakota.
Let’s use their sliders for 3rd generation Tacomas as a good example of what you can expect…
On the one hand, you can get sliders to fit your Tacoma whether it’s an access cab long bed or a double cab short bed. On the other hand, you can install the sliders without any cutting or welding required. The 100 percent bolt-on application won’t eat up your afternoon, so you can actually go drive on trails and test out your new sliders once you’re done!
The main slider rail is 3×2 rectangular tube. This is important because it offers a much bigger surface to protect your vehicle and allow it to slide over obstacles.
These sliders also include round drawn over mandrel tubing that offers additional strength and resistance to dents. You’ll find removable step plates, too, which make painting easier and accommodate various coating options.
These sliders ship as bare metal, so you’ll need to paint or powder coat them to protect against rust. They ship with all the hardware you need to install, including zinc-plated steel threading screws that provide a secure attachment to your vehicle.
One tip, though – C4 Fabrication recommends you drill holes into the frame of your vehicle and use the additional hardware they supply you if you intend to use the sliders as a hi-lift jack point. Other than that, these sliders are plug-and-play, and ready to rock!
Learn more about C4 Fabrication
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