Cali Raised LED Step Edition Bolt On Rock Sliders
Cali Raised LED Step Edition Bolt On Rock Sliders
The 4th gen 4Runner has earned its reputation. Plenty of them are still out there with big miles, still going down trails, and still getting new builds. What a lot of them lack is anything protecting the rockers. Fold a rocker panel on a 4th gen and you are into bodywork on a truck that is now twenty-odd years old.
These 4th gen 4Runner rock sliders are Cali Raised LED's Step Edition, built specifically for the 2003-2009 truck. They are frame mounted, in 1.75" DOM tubing with a .120" wall, fully gusseted, and they bolt on with no drilling or cutting. The step-friendly profile, with top plates if you want them, means they work as a proper step every day as well as armour on the trail.
Three Trucks These Will Not Fit
4Runner Limited: not compatible.
Any 4Runner with X-REAS suspension: not compatible with X-REAS components.
Lexus GX: not compatible, despite the shared platform. Fitment on 2010 and later 4Runners is not guaranteed either.
Bought your 4th gen used and not sure what trim or suspension it has? Send us your VIN or call 844-200-3979 and we will check before anything ships.
Before You Bolt Anything to a 20-Year-Old Frame
This is the part most slider listings skip, and on a 4th gen it matters. These sliders are frame mounted: full frame plates with front and rear clamping, so the load goes straight into the chassis. That is exactly what makes them real sliders rather than steps. It also means they are only as strong as the frame they clamp to.
Every 4th gen is now somewhere between 17 and 23 years old, and depending on where it has lived, the frame may have had decades of road salt. Before you order any 4th gen 4Runner rock sliders, get under the truck and look at the frame rails where the sliders will mount.
- Surface rust is normal. Wire-brush the mounting areas and treat them before the plates go on.
- Flaking or scaling needs cleaning back to solid metal first, so the plates clamp to steel rather than to rust.
- Soft spots, holes or rot need repairing before any frame-mounted armour goes on. Sliders bolted to a weak frame cannot do their job.
✓ Not Sure About Your Frame?
Send us a couple of photos of the frame rails behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels. We will tell you honestly whether you are good to go or whether it needs attention first.
A Step That Can Take a Hit
A lot of trucks still wear old 4th gen 4Runner running boards or aftermarket 4th gen 4Runner side steps. They make climbing in easier, but most are built as steps, not to carry the weight of the truck when it slides onto a rock. Lean on one off-road and it can fold into the rocker it was meant to sit beside.
The Step Edition gives you the step without that weakness. The tube is frame mounted and gusseted, so it can carry the truck. Add top plates and it becomes a flat platform that is easy for passengers, kids and anyone loading the roof.
With Top Plates
A wide, flat step for passengers and roof access. Pair them with bed liner coating for grip in wet or muddy boots.
Without Top Plates
A cleaner, more open slider. You step on the tube itself, which works fine for adults getting in and out.
Kick Out Option
An angled rear section that flares away from the body to push rocks clear of the rear door and quarter panel. Available with or without.
What Makes These 4th Gen 4Runner Sliders, Not Steps
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| 1.75" DOM tubing | Drawn over mandrel, which work-hardens the steel and leaves an even, seamless-finish wall. It bends predictably under load instead of folding at a weak seam. |
| .120" wall thickness | The number to compare when you shop. Many sliders quote only the outside diameter. |
| Full frame plate | Spans the frame rather than tabbing onto one face, so the load goes into the chassis. |
| Front and rear clamping | Spreads the load along the rail instead of putting it all through one mount. |
| Full gusseting | Braces every joint, which stops the slider working loose over years of impacts. |
| Grade 8 hardware | Included in the kit. |
Pick a Finish
- BK59 powder coat: a clean black finish that resists scratches, chipping, wear and fading. The usual choice for the tubes.
- Polyurethane bed liner spray: rugged and textured, with added grip. Cali Raised point out it is especially useful paired with top plates.
- Raw steel: bare metal for custom paint or finishing. Coat it promptly, or it will surface rust.
Whatever you choose, the finish on a slider is a wear item. The tube is designed to drag over rock, and the high spots will show steel in time. That is the slider earning its keep.
Step Edition or Trail Edition?
Cali Raised also build a Trail Edition of their 4th gen 4Runner rock sliders. Both are true frame-mounted sliders. The choice comes down to whether a usable step or a tighter profile matters more.
| Step Edition (this one) | Trail Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Step-friendly | 20-degree angle |
| Top plates | Optional, included only when selected | None |
| Fit to the body | Sits further out, giving a usable step | Sits closer in, tighter to the body |
| Best for | Daily driving, passengers and roof access | Trail-focused builds that prioritise clearance |
Installation
100% bolt-on with the Grade 8 hardware supplied, no drilling and no cutting. Cali Raised rate it easy to moderate and estimate about 1.5 to 2 hours, though on an older truck it is worth allowing extra time for frame prep.
- Remove any running boards or side steps first. A slider and a running board cannot share the space under the door.
- Clean the mounting areas. Wire-brush and treat the frame where the plates will sit.
- Get a second person. At about 45 lbs each, the sliders are awkward to hold in place while you start bolts.
- Start every bolt before you torque any. Let the clamping mounts find their alignment along the rail, then check the gap to the body on both sides.
- Re-torque after the first real trip. Standard for anything frame-mounted that takes impacts.
Specifications
| Fitment | 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner, 4th generation |
| Not compatible with | 4Runner Limited, X-REAS suspension, Lexus GX |
| Material | 1.75" DOM tubing |
| Wall thickness | .120" seamless wall |
| Mounting | Full frame plate with front and rear clamping support |
| Construction | Fully gusseted |
| Top plates | Optional, included only when selected |
| Kick out | Available with or without |
| Finish options | BK59 powder coat, polyurethane bed liner spray, or raw steel |
| Weight | About 45 lbs each, 90 lbs per pair |
| Hardware | Grade 8, included |
| Installation | 100% bolt-on, no drilling or cutting, about 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Warranty | 2 years against manufacturing defects |
What's Included
- Driver-side Step Edition rock slider
- Passenger-side Step Edition rock slider
- Grade 8 installation hardware
- Top plates, if selected
- Your selected kick out option and finish
Pros
- True frame-mounted protection for rockers that are getting hard to replace
- Works as a daily step, with optional top plates for a flat platform
- 1.75" DOM with a .120" wall, fully gusseted, Grade 8 hardware
- Bolt-on with no drilling or cutting
Cons
- Not compatible with the Limited or any truck with X-REAS
- Older frames may need cleaning or repair before fitting
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these fit my 4th gen 4Runner Limited?
No. Cali Raised list them as not compatible with the 4Runner Limited, or with any 4Runner fitted with X-REAS suspension. They are also not compatible with the Lexus GX.
Do I have to remove my running boards?
Yes. The sliders mount in the space under the doors, so any running boards or side steps need to come off first. The Step Edition then gives you a step back, on a frame-mounted tube that can take a hit.
Are top plates included?
Only if you select them. Top plates are optional and included only when chosen at checkout. Bed liner coating on the plates adds grip.
Should I get the Step Edition or Trail Edition for my 4th gen?
Step Edition if your 4Runner does daily duty and carries passengers, because it gives you a usable step with optional top plates. Trail Edition if clearance and a tighter-to-body profile matter more, thanks to its 20-degree angle.
Will these fit a 2010 or newer 4Runner?
Fitment is not guaranteed on 2010 and later trucks. For a 5th gen, choose the Step Edition sliders for the 2010-2024 4Runner.
Complete Your Build
Send Us Your VIN
Sliders are one of the first 4th gen 4Runner accessories worth fitting. We will confirm your trim and suspension, and help you choose top plates, kick out and finish for how you use your 4th gen.
844-200-3979
