Just wanted to share some thoughts after installing the Rock Slide Engineering sliders myself—hoping this helps others considering the same route.
TL;DR:
The install process is frustrating. If you're attracted to the idea of rock sliders that double as steps, I’d strongly recommend having a mechanic handle the install unless you’re very comfortable with tight spaces, wiring, and heavy lifting.
That said, here’s a breakdown of the issues I ran into:
Installation Notes & Challenges
Once installed, these steps work great. They're solid, make it much easier to get in/out of the truck, and you can disable them with a switch when off-roading to avoid damage. The slider body itself is wide enough to use as a step even when the actuator is turned off.
Feel free to DM me if you're thinking of installing these yourself—I’m happy to share more details or walk you through anything.
TL;DR:
The install process is frustrating. If you're attracted to the idea of rock sliders that double as steps, I’d strongly recommend having a mechanic handle the install unless you’re very comfortable with tight spaces, wiring, and heavy lifting.
That said, here’s a breakdown of the issues I ran into:
Installation Notes & Challenges
- Missing hardware:
The kit comes with components from both Owl and Rock Slide Engineering. Don’t be surprised if you're missing some of the hardware listed in the instructions. I had to go back and forth between Owl and RSE to get everything sorted. - Customer support experiences:
Shoutout to Nick at Owl—their support was fantastic throughout. Rock Slide Engineering never picked up the phone but responded quickly to the email thread initiated by Owl and were helpful once looped in. - Heavy components:
The sliders come in two parts: a heavy bracket and the visible step assembly (cover + actuator). Be ready with a set of jack stands or a second pair of hands—balancing and aligning everything solo is not easy. - Wiring over the frame:
Running the wiring harness over the frame is the first major challenge. One connector needs to pass between the frame and the body—tight is an understatement. Look closely in the suggested area; there's a slight groove in the frame that gives you ~2mm of extra space. I used flexible dryer vent cleaning rods to push the connector through—took some force but worked. - Harness over the gas tank:
The second harness (with multiple connectors) is another headache—it constantly gets stuck over the gas tank. What finally worked: bundle the wires together tightly with tape, then guide them over using those same flexible rods. - Harness length:
The harness is 5–10 inches too short, especially for the door sensors. I ended up extending a few sensor wires to make everything reach properly. Keep this in mind—very frustrating otherwise. - Battery connection tip:
You don’t need to fully disconnect the battery to wire things up. Let the vehicle go to sleep with the doors open, pull the fuse from the harness, and take care when loosening the battery terminals. Pro tip: place a small wedge under the positive terminal connector to prevent the screw from falling into the abyss.
Once installed, these steps work great. They're solid, make it much easier to get in/out of the truck, and you can disable them with a switch when off-roading to avoid damage. The slider body itself is wide enough to use as a step even when the actuator is turned off.
Feel free to DM me if you're thinking of installing these yourself—I’m happy to share more details or walk you through anything.
