Any suggestions on where to buy OEM rock sliders?

[gregh]

Well, they didn't come with bolts, plugs, or anything besides the rock sliders themselves. I don't know if Toyota now includes these items, or if they previously did not and I was unlucky enough to get older stock from that time. A bigger issue is that FedEx dropped off the boxes, and the ends of both sliders have damage to the powder coating. The Toyota shipping boxes really aren't up to protecting something this heavy. The end of one box was torn open, and the other slider literally poked through a protective layer of cardboard, and the end of its box. Not good. I have not received any info from McGrath Toyota regarding the hardware kits I ordered.

I guess maybe due to the size and weight of these items, it's better to spend a couple hundred more and have the dealer order them. Way less hassle when something goes wrong.

Document the Damage:

• Take photos: Capture clear images of the damage to the package and the contents.
  
  
• Keep the packaging: Do not discard the original packaging, including the box, packing materials, and any labels, until the claim is resolved.

File a claim for items damaged during shipping.

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/file-a-claim/customer-support/how-to-file-claim.html

 

[lcat63]

Document the Damage:

• Take photos: Capture clear images of the damage to the package and the contents.
  
  
• Keep the packaging: Do not discard the original packaging, including the box, packing materials, and any labels, until the claim is resolved.

File a claim for items damaged during shipping.

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/customer-support/faqs/file-a-claim/customer-support/how-to-file-claim.html

Tried to file a claim with FedEx, but couldn't create the required account on their website. So called and gave FedEx all the info, and was then told that the shipper needs to file a claim. Sent a message to service@toyotapartsdeal.com, texted the same message, and used their online form to send it a third time to "General Information and Policy". Nothing heard as of this morning.

My guess is FedEx will look at the packaging, and say it was insufficient. This is also my take. The boxes may be fine if these never leave Toyota's custody, but they're certainly lacking for commercial shipment. My skid plates came wrapped in lots of thick bubble wrap, but nothing but a thin plastic bag, and a cardboard box here. To contain a 45 pound chunk of steel with pointy ends.

 

[lcat63]

Just got a refund from toyotapartsdeal.com after shipping the damaged sliders back with their prepaid FedEx labels on Tue.

They offered a discount if I kept them “as is” (didn’t specify how much), but I declined as the cost of sandblasting and powder coating would likely be more than their discount. Plus the added hassle of finding someone to do the job, and humping them around.

I did find the bag of mounting hardware (bolts only - no side step electrical connector cover) in one of the boxes, so they do come with this. The other set was lost when the box got torn open.

Also received the 2 sets of mounting hardware I ordered from another Toyota dealer, and no electrical connector covers there either. Maybe this is a separate part if you’re replacing lighted side steps?

So I can’t complain about the service I received. Inconvenient, yes. The lesson learned is that Toyota’s packaging is less than satisfactory, so you’re taking a chance if you have these shipped. Guess I’ll pay a little more, and let my dealer assume the risk. I’m not going through this again.

 

[lcat63]

 

[b407driver]

I would have taken the deal and touched up with Rustoleum, as you will likely scrape them at some point (allowing rust) anyway, and the tube ends are (inanely?) open to the elements, allowing moisture into it, potentially rusting from the inside out.

 

[lcat63]

I would have taken the deal and touched up with Rustoleum, as you will likely scrape them at some point (allowing rust) anyway, and the tube ends are (inanely?) open to the elements, allowing moisture into it, potentially rusting from the inside out.

Thought hard about hitting the damaged areas with a sanding drum in the moto tool, and touching up with Ceracoat. Probably would have worked, but then again I didn’t want a used set, which is essentially what I received. No issues with road salt where I live.

 

[lcat63]

Because I'm such a glutton for punishment, I ordered another set of OEM sliders from a Toyota dealer. And yes, FedEx damaged these as well. This was a recently manufactured set, and included all the hardware and covers for the lighting connectors. Dropped so hard that one of the ends is no longer round. So a word of warning. The Toyota packaging is likely not enough to protect these during shipment. It may be fine if they're shipped on a pallet, but not as individual boxes. So set 3 is going to get ordered from my local dealer, and I'm going to inspect them at delivery to save having to hump damaged parts back to FedEx. I won't save a penny this way, but I guess foregoing the damage is worth it.