ROAM MK3 Rock Rail Installation

[shekmark]

Also, i worked alone and tpham advise for the inside the frame rail parts was invaluable. Thanks! TTechris , your pictures were great and that was my instructions. Thanks. I will add that some of my larger bolts were different from yours. Half of them were a little longer. Guessing they modified based on feedback? I was not sure where to use them and I could not call Roam. I used the longer ones on thicker sections of the brackets. As I said above. I really love these.

Sponsored

 

[smklaw]

This installation is fairly easy, but figure some may benefit from a DIY.


Torque specs:

M6 -> 9 Nm / 7 ft-lbs
M6 (trilobial) -> 6 Nm / 4.4 ft-lbs
M8 -> 22 Nm / 16 ft-lbs
M10 -> 44 Nm / 32 ft-lbs
M12 -> 77 Nm / 57 ft-lbs
3/8" -> 44 Nm / 32 ft-lbs

The Brackets are all marked with small holes to signify their position, and arrows to signify their orientation. The bracket with one hole goes to the very front, and the bracket with 4 holes goes to the rear. I have roughly positioned the 4 brackets where they will be mounted as well as the flag nuts to secure brackets #1 & #3.

In the hardware kit there will be some longer bolts, and some shorter bolts. The 6(per side) longer bolts go into the mounts that attach to the side of the frame(Bracket #1, and #3.) Washers are to be installed on every bolt. The shorter bolts secure the steps to the mounts. The smaller 10mm head nuts are for the logo plate on the backside of the rails.

First thing you will want to do is attach the logo backing plate to the rails as it is a little difficult to get installed once they are mounted on the Jeep. The plate needs to slide into the top of the steps first and then over the mounting studs. Use the 4 10mm head nuts to secure them in place. We will be covering our plates in Red Vinyl to accentuate the logo, but for this installation we kept the plate out.

This next step is easier with a second set of hands. Grab bracket #1, and take the long 4 hole flag nut and fish it through the frame so all the holes roughly line up. Using the longer bolts/washers loosely secure bracket #1 to the flag nut.

For Bracket #2, you just need to remove the two body mount nuts then slide the bracket over the large body mount washer and onto the studs. Secure the bracket with the 2 factory nuts.

For bracket #3(Just like #1) a second set of hands makes it easier to hold the flag nut in place.
Slide the flag nut in place keeping note of the orientation arrow. Once in place loosely mount the bracket with 3 longer bolts & washers.

Bracket #4 is just like Bracket #2. Remove the rear body mount nuts, slide the bracket over the larger body mount washer and secure it to the studs with the factory hardware.

Once all the brackets are installed I found it easiest to tighten the #2 & #4 as they are for the most part in a "fixed" position. Once secured mount the steps on top of the brackets and used all the shorter bolts/washers to loosely secure the brackets to the steps. I found it easiest to start with the 4 bolts on brackets number 2 & 4, then slide mounts 1 & 3 up until I was able to get the remaining bolts threaded. Once all the bolts are threaded align the rail height front to back and then tightened the 6 bolts securing brackets #1 & 3 to the frame.

Once all the brackets are tightened use a piece of cardboard between the body and the rails in order to keep the same body gap front & rear. I slowly tightened the bolts securing the rails starting from the center two brackets and working my way out. Keep an eye out for the gap as it may change as you are tightening the bolts.

Repeat on the other side, and admire your work!

Only question- you say use longer bolts on bracket 1 and 3, but there are only 6 and you would need 6 for each side. Thoughts?

 

[TTEChris]

Only question- you say use longer bolts on bracket 1 and 3, but there are only 6 and you would need 6 for each side. Thoughts?

I spoke with them about the bolts when I received the rails, and they said all the future MK3 rails would be sent out with 12 of the longer bolts for those two mounts.

 

[shekmark]

Mine had 12 long bolts but 6 of them were a little shorter. So really there was three sizes not including the Roam plate. So I took the twelve longest and divided into the two different lengths. Those were all for the frame mounts. Six per side. The frame mount brackets had some different thickness areas. I chose the longest bolts for those thickest plate spots, three per side. Confusing? Yes.

 

[smklaw]

Well that stinks. Guess I will message Anthony before I mount the rails as it does seem like I need more threads to get a proper grip.
Thanks

 

[shekmark]

It all worked very well actually. Had to use my brain more than I wanted to but it was all good

 

[Nikko2020]

Mine had 12 long bolts but 6 of them were a little shorter. So really there was three sizes not including the Roam plate. So I took the twelve longest and divided into the two different lengths. Those were all for the frame mounts. Six per side. The frame mount brackets had some different thickness areas. I chose the longest bolts for those thickest plate spots, three per side. Confusing? Yes.

Just installed mine over the weekend and it came the same way - 12 Long Bolts, but 6 a little longer? I ended up using the 6 longer ones for the front bracket on both sides as it was thicker.

Great instructions and really helped to get through this installation without any issues! The only thing I would have done additionally is run the bolts through the boards prior to mounting them. I ordered the bed lined steps and love them, but some of the spray gets in the threads and makes it tough to get the bolts started when you are under the Jeep. If I would have taken a few min and cleared them out first it would have helped.

 

[DonBindas]

I just installed the ROAM MK3 Rock Rails and wow what an nice upgrade over the last series from Roam!

The big bonus with Roam rails is that you don't have to play Russian Roulette by having to remove the body-to-frame bolts, that are known to snap off.

My two complaints are, other than this site's instructions, there are none.

The other larger one is, that the right side fits so close to the body in the rear, that it almost makes physical content with the paint!

 

[Nikko2020]

I just installed the ROAM MK3 Rock Rails and wow what an nice upgrade over the last series from Roam!

The big bonus with Roam rails is that you don't have to play Russian Roulette by having to remove the body-to-frame bolts, that are known to snap off.

My two complaints are, other than this site's instructions, there are none.

The other larger one is, that the right side fits so close to the body in the rear, that it almost makes physical content with the paint!

Both sides of mine were pretty tight when I set them in place. They adjust, but I had to step on them to make them drop - couldn't do it by hand.

 

[DonBindas]

Both sides of mine were pretty tight when I set them in place. They adjust, but I had to step on them to make them drop - couldn't do it by hand.

Thanks for telling me that

 

[CJ2A-TJ-JL]

Just got these steps yesterday. WOW are they bad ass! How are you guess wiring up the lights? I want them to come on only when the doors open. I've seen some tap them into the floor lights. But I don't want the step lights to come on when you turn on the dome lights.

 

[Hegrunt]

Installed my ROAM rails yesterday and thanks to this forum was able to install them without any issues. They look great and are solid. Highly recommend them.

 

[maxjlu]

I just installed the ROAM MK3 Rock Rails and wow what an nice upgrade over the last series from Roam!

The big bonus with Roam rails is that you don't have to play Russian Roulette by having to remove the body-to-frame bolts, that are known to snap off.

My two complaints are, other than this site's instructions, there are none.

The other larger one is, that the right side fits so close to the body in the rear, that it almost makes physical content with the paint!

They are adjustable. They recommended a minimum of a 1/2" gap between the body vs the inside edge of the sliders. They do look great, we love them too.

 

[maxjlu]

Installed my ROAM rails yesterday and thanks to this forum was able to install them without any issues. They look great and are solid. Highly recommend them.

Looks sharp!

 

[WelderJay]

Installed my ROAM rails yesterday and thanks to this forum was able to install them without any issues. They look great and are solid. Highly recommend them.

That looks good. What did you do to the Roam cutout? I can't see it. I just ordered my rails and was trying to find a solution for the cutout. They look to be well made, look good and function well, but I am not a fan of logos or badges, my only hesitation was the logo cutouts.

Sponsored