Another New 4Runner (autumn metallic)
- Thread starter nater
- Start date
Box Rocket
Well-known member
We use a fair amount of salt on the roads here in Salt Lake City too....go figure. 
I use Rustoleum on my sliders/bumpers. I like to get the metal nice and clean and hose them down with brake cleaner or other degreaser. Since they are always getting hit with road spray/gravel etc I use the Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer (red color). Seems to me to have excellent adhesion and it a bit tougher than the normal Rustoleum Automotive primer. Then I use either Rustoeum Satin or Gloss Black depending on the look I'm after. The Satin finish matches most black powdercoating very closely, so it works well with my ARB bumper.
I typically spray 2 coats of the primer, followed by 3 coats of the paint. Mine have held up really well so far. I've had my sliders on my Tacoma for just a month or so, but I did the same painting process with my sliders and rear bumper on my Land Cruiser and they've been on the truck for almost 4 years now. There is only a small spot of rust on the rear bumper where the latch has scratched the finish and on the receiver from sliding the hitch into it. It's seen lots of snowy/salty roads as well as gravel beatings from fire roads and scrapes from dragging the on rocks too. Quick easy touch up and it's held up really well for me.
Sliders on my cruiser getting used.
Here's the type of finish I ended up with on my Cruiser rear bumper using the Satin finish Rustoleum.
I use Rustoleum on my sliders/bumpers. I like to get the metal nice and clean and hose them down with brake cleaner or other degreaser. Since they are always getting hit with road spray/gravel etc I use the Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer (red color). Seems to me to have excellent adhesion and it a bit tougher than the normal Rustoleum Automotive primer. Then I use either Rustoeum Satin or Gloss Black depending on the look I'm after. The Satin finish matches most black powdercoating very closely, so it works well with my ARB bumper. I typically spray 2 coats of the primer, followed by 3 coats of the paint. Mine have held up really well so far. I've had my sliders on my Tacoma for just a month or so, but I did the same painting process with my sliders and rear bumper on my Land Cruiser and they've been on the truck for almost 4 years now. There is only a small spot of rust on the rear bumper where the latch has scratched the finish and on the receiver from sliding the hitch into it. It's seen lots of snowy/salty roads as well as gravel beatings from fire roads and scrapes from dragging the on rocks too. Quick easy touch up and it's held up really well for me.
Sliders on my cruiser getting used.
Here's the type of finish I ended up with on my Cruiser rear bumper using the Satin finish Rustoleum.
Last edited:
Bonked
Observer
Compliments
your rig is coming along nicely. I have a '98 SR5 and just --in the last week-- installed those same sliders (minus the inserts you fabbed), SS 1.2 (added yesterday...awesome improvement!), and budbuilt skid plates.
I had my sliders made to weld-on, but some welders around here were hesitent about the welds weakening the frame. We have a solid tube frame, not a "C" channel frame. I had a neighbor weld it on for a case of beer. LOve it! Shops were quoting me $150-$250! I mean, I've got mods to do, right!?
The SS 1.2 made my 4rnr look a bit like a stink bug, especially since my rear axle had been about riding the rear bump stops like a tractor! I haven't loaded it up with cargo yet, but I did go wheelin' and, NO bottoming out issues at all.
COntinue with the good work :victory:. I'll have to actually start a build thread, too.
your rig is coming along nicely. I have a '98 SR5 and just --in the last week-- installed those same sliders (minus the inserts you fabbed), SS 1.2 (added yesterday...awesome improvement!), and budbuilt skid plates.
I had my sliders made to weld-on, but some welders around here were hesitent about the welds weakening the frame. We have a solid tube frame, not a "C" channel frame. I had a neighbor weld it on for a case of beer. LOve it! Shops were quoting me $150-$250! I mean, I've got mods to do, right!?
The SS 1.2 made my 4rnr look a bit like a stink bug, especially since my rear axle had been about riding the rear bump stops like a tractor! I haven't loaded it up with cargo yet, but I did go wheelin' and, NO bottoming out issues at all.
COntinue with the good work :victory:. I'll have to actually start a build thread, too.
Bonked
Observer
another thing...
I painted my sliders with Rustoleum hammer finish. I had seen some sliders with grip tape and liked the idea, so I tweaked it a bit.
I taped off a section along the entire length of the sliders top (step) surface about 2" wide. I painted a moderate coat and, while the paint was wet, I sprinkled a texture additive that is commonly used to provide traction to painted floors, steps, etc. I allowed this coat and texture to dry a bit, then painted a top coat. I essentially painted a strip of weather tape along the top.
I gave the sliders about three coats of the hammer finish. It's supposed to be able to be applied over rust, so I figured it would make for easy touch ups in the future. A bit shiny for my taste, but effective, anyhow.
I'll post an update on how my grip along the sliders' holds up.
Pics available. I'll post if you'd like.
I painted my sliders with Rustoleum hammer finish. I had seen some sliders with grip tape and liked the idea, so I tweaked it a bit.
I taped off a section along the entire length of the sliders top (step) surface about 2" wide. I painted a moderate coat and, while the paint was wet, I sprinkled a texture additive that is commonly used to provide traction to painted floors, steps, etc. I allowed this coat and texture to dry a bit, then painted a top coat. I essentially painted a strip of weather tape along the top.
I gave the sliders about three coats of the hammer finish. It's supposed to be able to be applied over rust, so I figured it would make for easy touch ups in the future. A bit shiny for my taste, but effective, anyhow.
I'll post an update on how my grip along the sliders' holds up.
Pics available. I'll post if you'd like.
nater
Adventurer
Sure, throw them up!
nater
Adventurer
After finding out how inferior the built in tranny cooler is, and watching my tranny temps creep up after some hard driving, I decided to throw a B&M tranny cooler on the rig. I will completely bypass the stock cooler as I dont want to milkshake my tranny like some others have. I feel as though this 14000 btu unit will more then do the job
nater
Adventurer
This past weekend I installed my Sonoran Steel 1.2 suspension system. It rides great (like all the reviews say), and in increase in travel is amazing... Here is a quick comparison next to my house
Before:
After:
I will also say the rear is not totally maxed out in the after picture... But none the less, that is several more inches of travel...
Before:
After:
I will also say the rear is not totally maxed out in the after picture... But none the less, that is several more inches of travel...
SilverBullet
Explorer
very nice, I love my SS1.2 kit. Wait til you wheel it.