Rock sliders vs steps & nerfs vs power running boards

[BCPE]

Trying to decide between the three. TX, CO, WY, UP of MI outdoor use once in a while, not rock slider and stock Taco 4WD ground clearance, but been in some rocky and boggy places far from pavement. It would be useful to be able to get in and out of the vehicle & protect it from rock dings, brush/branch scrapes, and door bash at the grocery store. Am about to do a rear seat delete (and probably front air dam delete), so the rear door passenger access is not a particularly critical issue. I originally wanted to get AMP power running boards, then started looking at Rough Country power boards which have two models that are not easy to figure out the differences and have the mag switches (which I suspect could be replaced using an ODB II connector and skillful use of a Fluke VOM). However, looking at this forum made me wonder if I really need to be looking at Greenlane Offroad sliders. I have basically eliminated the rigid steps and rigid running boards that totally negate your ground clearance, so I'm concentrating on sliders and RC power boards. The power boards have the disadvantage of one more thing that can go wrong in the woods, but the advantage of making it a really easy step up into the cab while retaining ground clearance when retracted. I also have a 2018 Taco with factory nerfs on them and hate them every time I get in and out, but 5' wife thinks they are fine. If I step on them to get in, I have to turn into a prezel to sit down & I'm only 5-10 (also, why they don't put a grab handle on the driver's side like Ford does on some of its trucks is totally beyond me ... that's a better option than using the steering wheel for it). If I don't step on them, my pants leg gets coated with whatever is on them. Even though I suspect I would have the same problems with Greenlane (maybe even worse since they may actually be higher than the nerfs), I'm leaning toward them for several reasons including frame mounting, lighter weight, and quality. But, I have concerns. I would assume the flat option sticks out a little farther than the 12.5 degree option, but are both options out enough to actually get your boot on? And why would you want the 12.5 degree option - doesn't seem like that's much of an advantage over the flat option to me and may actually be a disadvantage? They still look pretty high and close in to the body either way, so I just wonder if they should be viewed as strictly rock sliders and not dual function as a step? Has anyone seen a removable step that can be attached to the Greenlane for in-town grocery runs and easily removed for use away from the crowds? I have a bunch of 6061 and a CNC mill, so I'm not helpless if I need to build my own solution, but wondering if there is something already out there that's sort of along the lines of the N-Fab system even though that seems to be not very highly regarded compared to Greenlane?

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[Cappaworks]

Sounds like you are struggling with the compromises each option has. You kinda have to pick what’s most important to you and go with that. You clearly are not making an uneducated decision. I believe you’ve put more thought into it than most people do.

Personally, overall protection and ground clearance were most important to me. Price followed those. Use as a step was probably 4th. So I went with White Knuckle Off-Road angled sliders with no top plate. If a step were more important to me, maybe I’d opt for the flat sliders with a top plate.

 

[Sagebrush]

I surely like my Rough Country E-boards.

 

[mrSM1TTY]

I have RCI sliders with the 5 degree angle. I've been happy with them. They work great as a step, provide protection for the truck and look nice.

 

[just_rich_young]

I went with body mounted steps. My rock crawling days are behind me and I tow a trailer so i'm purposely not getting into those situations that would require sliders. I'm the same height as you and haven't noticed any pretzel issues. Left foot on the step, hold onto the steering wheel and pull myself up and into the truck.

 

[BCPE]

Thanks to all for the info. I couldn't make a decision and wasted about a week of my retirement on this rabbit hole, so went with price in the short run and got body mount steps instead of power or boards or sliders. I don't ever need sliders unless something goes wrong every 5 or 10 years. But I need to get in and out of it almost every day, so I need a step more than a slider. Steps I got are independent for each door, so looks took a back seat to functionality & price (about 1/10th the price of sliders). I only plan to install for front doors but bought them for all 4 anyway, and if I think I'm going to need every bit of ground clearance in a specific situation, I will either turn around and leave, get out and walk or bike, or take them off (only 3 bolts per side and don't weigh much or take up much space). Grab handle solution is BGUCAR grab handles for A pillar driver's side.

 

[Cappaworks]

It seems like the body-mount steps should be pretty rigid. When installing my sliders I noticed all the OE step mounting points on the underside of the cab. They looked well integrated and reinforced. Should be fine!

 

[BCPE]

Steps should be fine in body mount except in the event of getting hit from side or underneath where the body damage may be magnified by the step brackets instead of the step system being a sacrificial piece. If I end up not liking the steps, I'll likely bite the bullet, put Greenlanes on, and do a DIY removable or spring loaded step system that I've already designed in my head.

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