Factory Rubicon Rock Rails Stripped

[SkilledOne4]

First, I am absolutely loving my new Rubicon so much so that I want to try and mitigate as much debris from kicking up the sides by installing a set of Mopar side steps (part #82215164). After 180 miles, I took off the factory rock rails and discovered that one of the 10mm bolts that hold the passenger side rock rail was stripped. It looks like it was over torqued from the factory or the rail's threads were not right when it was made.

This doesn't bode well for my plan of leaving the regular side steps on during normal driving to protect the doors and paint and swapping back to the rails when I want to off road my Wrangler. I am worried that if I leave off one of the 6 10mm nuts holding the rail to the body that it will comprimise some of the ridgidity and strength of the rail. Is there any way my dealer or Mopar can replace a single rail? I don't know if anyone else has seen this when removing their stock rails. It may seem trivial but I keep my take off parts as I sometimes plan on reusing them.

The pictures below show that the threads are toast.

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[intentsrig]

Honestly you’d be better off getting some rock sliders that mount different. The JK Rubicon sliders mount to the pinch seam only and I think the JL is the same. I bent my 2 door Rubicon sliders after one hard hit.

Althoigh, If you don’t plan don’t hit the rocks too hard you’ll be ok. Just don’t drop the height of a 35” tire onto your sliders.

For your stripped bolt I’d ask the dealer about it.
Maybe you can find some sliders that do both so you don’t have to swap back and fourth.

 

[Chocolate Thunder]

Retap the threads and use the appropriate sized/pitch bolt. That is the simplest solution and isn’t expensive to do.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

Have your dealer replace the rail under warranty. They may accuse you of the damage.

Or

Cut off the threaded shaft, drill a hole and use a bolt/nut. I doubt you can use a die to rethread that shaft. Might be possible using a smaller thread size.

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