Ford Ranger Rock Sliders Guide (PX2, PX3, Next Gen): Side Protection That Holds Up

The sill and rocker panels on any dual cab ute are the weakest part of the body once you go off-road. Drop a wheel into a rut, ground out on a log, slide sideways down a slope — anything that compresses sheet metal into the chassis wrecks the sills and destroys resale. Proper rock sliders are the single cheapest insurance against that damage.

This guide covers rock sliders for the Ford Ranger across the PX2, PX3, and Next Gen platforms — what to look for, what's worth spending on, and how to spec them right for Australian touring.

Steel vs alloy rock sliders

Steel sliders

The default for serious off-road use. Typically 4-6mm plate with tube top rail. Will take a full body weight hit against a rock without deforming. Heavier — 40-60kg per side.

Alloy sliders

Lighter (15-25kg per side), corrosion-resistant, and good enough for touring use where you're not routinely sliding into rocks. Bends under a serious impact where steel would spring back.

Hybrid tube / plate sliders

Combine a steel tube top rail with alloy or plate underbody. Good compromise for weight-conscious touring builds.

Chassis-mount vs body-mount

This is the decision that matters. Body-mount sliders bolt to the body pinch-weld or sill seam. Chassis-mount sliders bolt directly to the chassis rails using the factory body mount points.

• Body-mount: Cheaper, easier to fit. Any serious hit transfers load into the body — can crack welds and deform the sill.
• Chassis-mount: More expensive, more work to fit. Takes the entire load straight into the chassis. The only option for genuine off-road use.

On the Ranger, chassis-mount sliders use the factory tie-down points and require no drilling. Look for a "no-drill" install option.

PX2, PX3, Next Gen — not cross-fit

Every Ranger generation has different chassis tie-down positions:

• PX2 (2015-2018): Shares sliders with most PX1s with minor adjustment.
• PX3 (2018-2022): Similar mounting to PX2 with revised pickup points.
• Next Gen (2022+): Wider track, different chassis. NOT cross-compatible with PX-era sliders.

Always buy sliders specifically engineered for your exact generation.

Step vs no-step

Flat-topped sliders double as side steps. Tube-top sliders don't — they look cleaner but require a separate step for easy entry. Most families pick flat-top; most comp builds pick tube-top.

Pricing on Ranger rock sliders shipped to you

• Alloy sliders (body-mount): $790 - $1,190 pair
• Alloy sliders (chassis-mount, no-drill): $990 - $1,590 pair
• Steel sliders (body-mount): $890 - $1,290 pair
• Steel chassis-mount sliders: $1,290 - $1,990 pair
• Premium tube-top tourer sliders with kick-out: $1,890 - $2,690 pair

Professional fitting: $250-$450 per side.

Fitting notes

• Chassis-mount install typically uses 6-8 bolts per side into existing body-mount or tie-down points.
• No-drill designs take 2-3 hours DIY.
• Body-mount sliders often require drilling new pinch-weld holes.
• Rust-protect the underside with cavity wax or a bitumen undercoat before fitting.

Why buy rock sliders from Kren Bits

We stock Ranger-specific sliders — PX2, PX3, and Next Gen — from brands with engineered chassis-mount certification. Every set ships Australia-wide on pallet or crate freight, with a minimum 2-year warranty.

Browse the full Ford Ranger collection.

Send us your rego and we'll confirm exact fitment and freight to your postcode within a day.