What side steps / rock rails to add to JL Wrangler?

[TTEChris]

I know you don't use them but are you able to use the Mopar tailgate reinforcement without the mopar oversized tire carrier?

The Mopar Reinforcement is just a plate that goes over the existing hinges and under the factory tire carrier. It can be used by itself, but you will be limited to what size tire will fit in the factory bumper recess. I've seen a 315/70r17(Almost a 35) fit on a Rubicon steel rear bumper, but just barely.

Cost and where? Thanks

I listed their contact info a few posts up.
ROAM Offroad Contact:
Anthony
[email protected] (Email preferred)
Phone: 832-559-1969

$299 + $50 shipping
Next batch will be available in 3-4 weeks.

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[YOKiN]

The Mopar Reinforcement is just a plate that goes over the existing hinges and under the factory tire carrier. It can be used by itself, but you will be limited to what size tire will fit in the factory bumper recess. I've seen a 315/70r17(Almost a 35) fit on a Rubicon steel rear bumper, but just barely.

Thanks for the reply bud. I only plan on running a 35" KO2 geared towards an overlanding build. I just wanted the reinforcement for peace of mind through the bumpy offroad adventures.

 

[sost1sg]

I installed a set of ROAM side steps today, and I think they look great with the factory fenders!

How was the install of these? They look great! Also where is the lighting? Does it light the steps themselves or underneath like a puddle light?

 

[Mid-life Wrangler]

How was the install of these? They look great! Also where is the lighting? Does it light the steps themselves or underneath like a puddle light?

Pictures from previous post regarding the lights.

 

[TTEChris]

Thanks for the pics, Chris. I am looking forward to hear about what you think about the Roam stuff once you get everything buttoned up.

If you don’t mind, I am interested to hear what your wife thinks about the Roam steps, and if it’s easier for her to get in and out of the Jeep with them installed.

I had my wife try out the steps last night and she loved them. Made it much easier for her to get in/out, and watching her it will help prolong the life of the leather... No longer does she slide over the bolsters, she just drops into the seat. All the kids were asleep when I got home, but I will update you once I have them try the steps.

How was the install of these? They look great! Also where is the lighting? Does it light the steps themselves or underneath like a puddle light?

Install is very easy, I have yet to wire up the lights as I just finished the rear bumper yesterday(Needed to wire the lights/camera on that first so I could drive the Jeep again.)
The lights point at the steps like the picture above. I am going to try and wire them into the dome light when I get some free time at work.

 

[Drumhead]

Bought my wife JLU Sahara. Lift and everything else I could find will be done tomorrow. Her everyday driver plus she ready to take it out and see what it can do. Looking for rock rails with platform step similar to this (she says so she can get in and out with heels on... gotta love a Texas girl!!!). Any suggestions? I have had zero luck.

those are smittybuilt steps. I had them on my JK. Very happy with them.

 

[Rubi-Zero]

I had my wife try out the steps last night and she loved them. Made it much easier for her to get in/out, and watching her it will help prolong the life of the leather... No longer does she slide over the bolsters, she just drops into the seat. All the kids were asleep when I got home, but I will update you once I have them try the steps.

Install is very easy, I have yet to wire up the lights as I just finished the rear bumper yesterday(Needed to wire the lights/camera on that first so I could drive the Jeep again.)
The lights point at the steps like the picture above. I am going to try and wire them into the dome light when I get some free time at work.

Thanks Chris for posting this info. I will be ordering these for my wife as well, on the plus side I think they look great too.

 

[TTEChris]

Thanks Chris for posting this info. I will be ordering these for my wife as well, on the plus side I think they look great too.

Anytime!
I just put on the Skyjacker kit that gave me another 2", and now the steps work for me as well. My only complaint is that at my height I have to duck a lot to get in, but the only way to fix that would be a much lower step(I would never sacrifice ground clearance by mounting a step near or below the frame.)

 

[MacBigButt]

Addictive Desert Design told me they are expecting their's to be in stock in a couple weeks. No pictures yet but I'm guessing they will be similar to the JK Stealth. They are high on my list and I just ordered their front winch bumper.

But what I really, really want are these:
https://www.rockslideengineering.com/jl-4d-step-sliders-with-body-armor.html/

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

I really like the LOD Destroyer rock sliders / steps. Here is the link for the JK ones. These should be out for the JL soon.

https://lodoffroad.com/products/jee...sliders/2007-2017-destroyer-rock-sliders.html

Yelp, divorced! Lol

The reason for the price difference is that the LODs appear to be more functional rock sliders.

The ROAM slider are nice looking, and seem perfect as a step, but they likely won’t function the same for protection.

Most people don’t need or care for that level of protection and primarily need a functional step, that both looks the part and and has some of the added benefits not found on others (good platform with smaller gaps for dogs or high heels, good stone chip protection, etc), for most the ROAMs will be perfect, and based on TTEChris’ positive feedback I’d likely recommend these for many/most people looking primarily for a step. They are also a very good price of course.

However, that difference in price is also likely due to that difference in build priorities.

 

[Mugzzzee]

I did the nfab steps today. Me and my neighbor swapped the rock rails for these in about 1 h

I think those look great! Can you post the model # and where you ordered them from. I am waiting on a JLUR. Thanks in advance. Cheers

 

[ROAM]

The OE JL Rubicon rock rails are body mounted. While the OE JL Rubicon rock rails should bear the weight of the vehicle (forklift test), they're actually not meant to be load bearing because they're body mounted. The "rock rails" description actually refers to deflecting rocks that are kicked up as opposed to "rock sliders" which are more of an underframe skid plate. In my opinion, the primary issue with adding any sort of underframe skid plate meant to protect the frame rails themselves is that you will lose ground clearance where the skid plate is attached. While there are solutions on other vehicles where they're advertised as allowing you to drag your vehicle over rocks and debris, if anyone actually attempts something like that the odds of getting high centered are pretty high. To clarify, in our opinion, avoiding the rocks will be safer than dragging/sliding your Jeep over them. On our JL Side Armor Steps, the mounting brackets sit higher than the lowest part of the OE body mount brackets.


The wiring harness should be connected to the door lights. I've attached an image below of what they'll look like when they're on.

Thanks

The reason for the price difference

The ROAM slider are nice looking, and seem perfect as a step, but they likely won’t function the same for protection.

Most people don’t need or care for that level of protection and primarily need a functional step, that both looks the part and and has some of the added benefits not found on others (good platform with smaller gaps for dogs or high heels, good stone chip protection, etc), for most the ROAMs will be perfect, and based on TTEChris’ positive feedback I’d likely recommend these for many/most people looking primarily for a step. They are also a very good price of course.

However, that difference in price is also likely due to that difference in build priorities.

Thanks for the interest and support!

What sets our design, build process, and quality apart isn't just how strong our JL Side Armor Steps are, but rather how they're designed and built. They're not just straight square tubes, but profiled and precision laser cut on the interior edge to evenly and consistently follow the curvature of the vehicle. While they're built to carry the weight of the vehicle (forklift test), in my opinion, the forklift test should not be the defining benchmark for strength because the OE JL Rubicon Rock Rails will also carry the weight of the vehicle during the forklift test. Our side steps feature heavy duty 7/32" high strength steel brackets and mixed 1/8" and 5/32" high strength steel superstructure construction (topside outer surfaces). I've attached an image below showing the inside profile of our JL Side Armor Steps.

 

[Cypher]

Thanks for the interest and support!

What sets our design, build process, and quality apart isn't just how strong our JL Side Armor Steps are, but rather how they're designed and built. They're not just straight square tubes, but profiled and precision laser cut on the interior edge to evenly and consistently follow the curvature of the vehicle. While they're built to carry the weight of the vehicle (forklift test), in my opinion, the forklift test should not be the defining benchmark for strength because the OE JL Rubicon Rock Rails will also carry the weight of the vehicle during the forklift test. Our side steps feature heavy duty 7/32" high strength steel brackets and mixed 1/8" and 5/32" high strength steel superstructure construction (topside outer surfaces). I've attached an image below showing the inside profile of our JL Side Armor Steps.

@ROAM will these function as true rock sliders, or would you risk body damage by doing So? While I need a step, I also need them to hold up to the normal abuse in places like Moab on the rocks.

 

[The Great Grape Ape]

Thanks for the interest and support!

What sets our design, build process, and quality apart isn't just how strong our JL Side Armor Steps are, but rather how they're designed and built. They're not just straight square tubes, but profiled and precision laser cut on the interior edge to evenly and consistently follow the curvature of the vehicle. While they're built to carry the weight of the vehicle (forklift test), in my opinion, the forklift test should not be the defining benchmark for strength because the OE JL Rubicon Rock Rails will also carry the weight of the vehicle during the forklift test. Our side steps feature heavy duty 7/32" high strength steel brackets and mixed 1/8" and 5/32" high strength steel superstructure construction (topside outer surfaces). I've attached an image below showing the inside profile of our JL Side Armor Steps.

I understnad what you’re saying, and while I can’t attest to the JL(U)’s OE rails, your statement would be inaccurate regarding the JK(U)s capabilities of supporting the vehicle’s weight on obstacles, and I know this from experience.

In your reluctance to say your product isn’t a rock rail or proper slider either, you cast aspersions at the OE product. I haven’t tested your product or the OE JLU’s rails, but LOD’s open statement that they are functional sliders puts their product in a different category if only for mindshare and even if not warranted.

I’m not trying to promote or undermine anyone’s products, but I stand by the above statements as to the difference in products unless it can be proven otherwise.

Again, I think you have a great product, but I think the target audience/market and use-cases are different, and people should properly consider that from all sources they trust.

 

[martyb511]

I'm waiting for AMP Research to release their setup... Looks like someone beat them to it
https://m.facebook.com/groups/923326137713200?view=permalink&id=1670328053013001
I believe credit goes to Star Effects Customs in Maryland

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