Our 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is my wife’s daily driver for commuting to work, driving around town, road trips, and most importantly, transporting our toddler to school. With this day-to-day use, she needed a way to easily get in and out of our 4Runner. As our toddler gets older, he’ll also need a way to get into the vehicle. For the occasional off-road adventure, we also wanted protection that looked as good as it functioned.
After extensive research, we decided on rock sliders from Cali Raised for our 4Runner TRD Pro.
Find It Online
- Cali Raised Step Edition Sliders: Check Price
Table Of Contents
Why I Didn’t Go OEM
There is a slew of offerings from Toyota that range from plastic running boards (like the ones pictured in the photo above) to some cool-looking Predator steps. However, most either ruin the rugged look of the TRD Pro and seem more meant for the Limited trims and cannot take any abuse off-road.
Speaking from experience, I have seen those very cool-looking Predator steps get sheared off during some light off-roading.
Why Cali Raised
Searching for rock sliders is a game, but not one that is fun to play. There are many companies with descriptions that require you to have an engineering background before you can understand what you are buying. This gauge steel here, this thickness there. Some don’t even blatantly state that what you are buying won’t even be painted – despite every promo picture having them painted.
After a bunch of research, I found that Cali Raised offered a product that hit every one of my family’s needs. I ordered a Step Edition version with a kick-out and black powder coating. You also have the option to add a top filler plate.
Step Edition Configuration
I initially was leaning toward the Trail Edition sliders, but the need for a step for the wife/kiddo pushed me toward the Step Edition. Both options are made out of 1.75-inch DOM steel tubing. The kick-out rear steps also don’t come with an upcharge (they do with most companies). You can pick from raw steel, powder coating, or bedliner coating.
I thought it was too good to be true, so I reached out to my good friend who I have been off-roading with a bunch of times, Jon Gangloff (TRDJON on YouTube). He recommended the Step Edition as he runs a set on his Tacoma.
My YouTube Video
In the above video, I go in-depth and ramble from the perspective of a parent/husband. I also showcase views of the sliders that aren’t easy to find on the web.
Final Thoughts
So far, they’ve been great – serving as a solid step for the ingress/egress of the 4Runner and protection when we hit some light trails. We didn’t need the additional clearance of the Trail Edition, and the zero-degree angle is ideal for our daily use. If you need rock sliders that look as good as they function, this is definitely one to check out!
I had bought some of their rock sliders and found it very difficult to put on. I didn’t use all the screws and I wish I had bought another brand. I don’t think I would buy from them again.
If you watched TRD Jon video on these he had the same problem. They were suppose to be resolved but I still have the same problem.
Alot of people do not support cali raised. I rather not be a beta tester for their products and I don’t support companies who’s founder got into legal trouble due to underaged minors.
You’ve got your facts mixed up. There are in fact two distinct companies. Cali Raised LED (in this post) and Cali Raised Off-Road. The latter is the one you are referencing. They do not have any direct relationship, despite the name similarity. We have looked into this in detail and vet these types of situations.