ARB Rock Sliders are junk

[Snacktime]

Well after 2 real uses I am calling them junk. I would call them something else but they are not a step, helpful or a long term product.

Installed December of 2023 after coming back from Moab. First real test was Prairie City Wild Horses and I bent both sliders upward at the front body mount. They slowly kept moving so I contacted ARB customer service last month and I apparently forgot to install spacers. If they where perfectly level before wheeling did I really need to space them back down?

Running a 1/2" body lift and rubbing the doors last month.

Post 2nd real trail run the addition deflection is finally visible in the brackets. We will start with the washer, the band aid pretty much bent the lower bracket plate. If ARB had used a thicker bottom plate the washer might have worked. The science behind not let the bracket sit flat is the sole reason this deflected permanently. The 1/8" of deflection is enough to put the sliders into your door as it is a lever and you get more movement on the outside edge.

Next is the smoking gun, the channel is spreading. Here it is at 3 7/8" at the weld and it gets wider in the center.

Picture stolen off the internet of the culprit.

Its also got a nice rainbow effect going on but I am really upset about the Bracket.

I am calling them junk at this point, my factory rails took a beat down. These are a massive disappointment. ARB quality and lack of customer service are a good enough reason to write them off. Nothing like the ARB products I use to run on my Landcruiser.

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[Fordified1]

Well hopefully they will use your critique and beef them up and send you a new set for testing. If not, are you going to take these off, straighten and reinforce them? Or junk them? Do they attach to the frame? Or rocker?

We have a customer who CAT sends equipment for testing because they are super hard on equipment and move more dirt than anyone else around here.

 

[Snacktime]

Well hopefully they will use your critique and beef them up and send you a new set for testing. If not, are you going to take these off, straighten and reinforce them? Or junk them? Do they attach to the frame? Or rocker?

We have a customer who CAT sends equipment for testing because they are super hard on equipment and move more dirt than anyone else around here.

Original plan was to weld some flat steps/grating on. I thought ARB was going to be the longest lasting option.

Now that the front brackets are bent I might cut the bent channel out. Not sure if it is worth the effort and time. The passenger side is making a frowny face which is kind of the nail in the coffin as far as trying to save these. Now I am just shopping LOD/RCI/Metaltech or something homemade.

Frowning

 

[Bronkers]

Well after 2 real uses I am calling them junk. I would call them something else but they are not a step, helpful or a long term product.

Installed December of 2023 after coming back from Moab. First real test was Prairie City Wild Horses and I bent both sliders upward at the front body mount. They slowly kept moving so I contacted ARB customer service last month and I apparently forgot to install spacers. If they where perfectly level before wheeling did I really need to space them back down?

Running a 1/2" body lift and rubbing the doors last month.

Post 2nd real trail run the addition deflection is finally visible in the brackets. We will start with the washer, the band aid pretty much bent the lower bracket plate. If ARB had used a thicker bottom plate the washer might have worked. The science behind not let the bracket sit flat is the sole reason this deflected permanently. The 1/8" of deflection is enough to put the sliders into your door as it is a lever and you get more movement on the outside edge.

Next is the smoking gun, the channel is spreading. Here it is at 3 7/8" at the weld and it gets wider in the center.

Picture stolen off the internet of the culprit.

Its also got a nice rainbow effect going on but I am really upset about the Bracket.

I am calling them junk at this point, my factory rails took a beat down. These are a massive disappointment. ARB quality and lack of customer service are a good enough reason to write them off. Nothing like the ARB products I use to run on my Landcruiser.

Sorry to see that. Not to -de-rail- but I was set on ARBs until I researched Rockhard 4x4 (upswept). They sandwich the pinch welds with thru bolts and thick washers, and attach to factory rail locations, AND attach to body-chassis mounts.

Only gripe was having to drill them to eat the heads of the lower fender bolts, that's how tight they fit. Don't ask me what I used to seal the holes.

Definitely have seen use but haven't come down hard on them yet. So far no deformation noted. Been meaning to test if I can jack one whole side of the truck up with them and watch for movement.

 

[Snacktime]

Sorry to see that. Not to -de-rail- but I was set on ARBs until I researched Rockhard 4x4 (upswept). They sandwich the pinch welds with thru bolts and thick washers, and attach to factory rail locations, AND attach to body-chassis mounts.

Only gripe was having to drill them to eat the heads of the lower fender bolts, that's how tight they fit. Don't ask me what I used to seal the holes.

Definitely have seen use but haven't come down hard on them yet. So far no deformation noted. Been meaning to test if I can jack one whole side of the truck up with them and watch for movement.

I am staying away from body mount due to already flexing the sheet metal for 2 years. I figure that its best if I don't keep pounding away at my pinch seam. I think frame mounted are a better choice for me at this point.

 

[dadjoke]

Next Venture? Haven't gotten a chance to hit em yet bc only easy trails, but they connect to the factory mounts and through the welds so there's as much reinforcement as can be had.

 

[Snacktime]

Next Venture? Haven't gotten a chance to hit em yet bc only easy trails, but they connect to the factory mounts and through the welds so there's as much reinforcement as can be had.

I have watched @OddBall88 take a hammer to his next venture sliders to open his door. I would go back to stock slider before most aftermarket ones.

 

[PWillette]

I recently grabbed a set of Metaltech's scratch n dent frame mounted side winder sliders. I haven't had a chance to put them to the test but they are stout. A bit pricey but certainly worth a look IMO.

https://metaltech4x4.com/metal-tech-2021-ford-bronco-4-door-rock-sliders-scratch-and-dent/

 

[lmarchetti]

I have had the ARB sliders since early 2022 and have been hitting them hard ever since. They have worked great, until this weekend.

I now have the same issue as you, both rails bent upwards from thr body and mid mount. I couldn't open the doors on the trail, no body damage though.

Some guys and I stamped them down so I could get in/out. To me the rails are done, I won't shim for the reasons you posted above. All the strength relies it being flush with the mount.

Bummed to see them fail, however ARB has a 3 year warranty. Might be worth a shot.

If the need arises for a stronger frame mount, I like these the best. Welded to the frame is pretty serious.

https://www.carlisuspension.com/pro...onents-ford-bronco/21-23-bronco-rock-sliders/

 

[telenerd]

I hit poison spider and the harder trails in Moab with my Rock Hard 4x4 sliders. Didn’t even touch my rock rails. They got tons of clearance.

I tried to hit the rock sliders and didn’t even scrape. What gives?

 

[GreyZ]

The Carli ones really do appear to be the best engineered. That price tag will buy alot though, but good engineering isn't cheap.

 

[87-Z28]

The Carli ones really do appear to be the best engineered. That price tag will buy alot though, but good engineering isn't cheap.

The aftermarket car parts industry is crazy. Half the stuff is just crap. Some pretty serious point loading on a long slender rod for sliders. Yeah better do some engineering.

 

[ScLeCo]

ARB quality sucks. Nothing I buy from them lasts or works worth a damn.
I would have bought the Carli sliders if my wife didn't require a step to get in.
So far the Rock Slide steps seem to be ok but I worry about longevity with them.

There is a guy selling some LOD frame mount sliders in central CA. Maybe you can get a deal of those.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/central-ca-badlands-build-partout-lod-baja-designs.89169/

 

[B_Wagon136]

Well after 2 real uses I am calling them junk. I would call them something else but they are not a step, helpful or a long term product.

Installed December of 2023 after coming back from Moab. First real test was Prairie City Wild Horses and I bent both sliders upward at the front body mount. They slowly kept moving so I contacted ARB customer service last month and I apparently forgot to install spacers. If they where perfectly level before wheeling did I really need to space them back down?

Running a 1/2" body lift and rubbing the doors last month.

Post 2nd real trail run the addition deflection is finally visible in the brackets. We will start with the washer, the band aid pretty much bent the lower bracket plate. If ARB had used a thicker bottom plate the washer might have worked. The science behind not let the bracket sit flat is the sole reason this deflected permanently. The 1/8" of deflection is enough to put the sliders into your door as it is a lever and you get more movement on the outside edge.

Next is the smoking gun, the channel is spreading. Here it is at 3 7/8" at the weld and it gets wider in the center.

Picture stolen off the internet of the culprit.

Its also got a nice rainbow effect going on but I am really upset about the Bracket.

I am calling them junk at this point, my factory rails took a beat down. These are a massive disappointment. ARB quality and lack of customer service are a good enough reason to write them off. Nothing like the ARB products I use to run on my Landcruiser.

I have a pair of new OEM rock rails from a 2024 Black Diamond if you’re interested. Pulled fresh off a delivery taken Aug 21.

 

[mcinfantry]

Both my wife and I have metal tech 4x4
I wheel my bronco on occasion and have beat them on rocks and logs and zero issues
They are frame mounted because I know floor mounted can indeed total a car on an insurance claim if you were to rip them out or heavily damage the body and I was afraid I would tear the body up

my wife is 4’11 so she needs a step

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