I have had both of those sliders on my LR4. First the voyagers. They were powder coated, then rusted out, then re-powder coated with a more zinc rich process, then almost rusted out again before I sold them. They don't protect the air tank or compressor, but I have read they now sell a separate air compressor guard.
The Tactical sliders protect a lot more, but weigh more. They are less comfortable to stand on, I should have requested a custom side step on them. But they are really well built and fit well. You do need to move the compressor up with a bracket they provide which is a bit of work. You also hear the compressor more with the tactical sliders. If you intend to off road a lot, protect the compressor! The tank sits up a bit higher, so im not sure you have to really worry about it as much, but the T44 sliders do cover the tank (all the way into the frame rail.)
One of the huge reasons I wanted to switch to tactical, they work with a near by company called Zincnation (zincnation.com) and they do a spray metalizing process to them, which is like hot spray aluminum and acts as a galvanizing layer. Eric (owner of tactical) has a set of sliders on his LR3 that are white, from the metalizing process, and he just leaves them that way.. no paint, no powdercoat.. to show that they wont rust!! That is HUGE for Iowa.. the salt just destroys things. I had mine black texture powder coated, but with the metalizing that powder coat is purely asthetic. (it probably does add protection, but thats not the main point).
I still have my voyager ladder and rack, but they will rust too. I had to have the ladder redone once already. I sold the voyager sliders and then bought tactical for the rear bumper, sliders, gas tank skid and tranfer case skid.... I had them ALL metalized and powder coated. I'm hoping I can evade rust issues for much longer.
Tactical slider...
And with ALL the skids...
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Hey Mike
This is exactly what I was hopping to hear, thank you for all your help!
The pics really help as well, I will be calling Tactical in the morning.