Running Board/Step Question and Recommendations

[JamLit]

I have a 2023 2-dr. Willys. It came stock with the rock rails. I thought I could manage without a running board or something, so I didn't order the sliders. I'm regretting that now ?.

Can I keep the rails and install some sort of running board?
If so, which do you recommend?

(Also, I'm totally new to the Jeep world so there's a good chance I'm totally messing up all the terminology here. LOL)

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[JL MADDOG]

I was concerned about the OEM rails as they are mounted to the body pinch weld area and not the frame. So a good smack on one of those rails means the rocker panel and possibly a door would be damaged.

I took off the OEM rails and installed a set of frame mounted combination steps that have a rock rail incorporated into the structure. I needed steps so my vertically challenged better half could get into the JL after I lifted it and I wanted the protection as well.

 

[JJ_WA]

I was concerned about the OEM rails as they are mounted to the body pinch weld area and not the frame. So a good smack on one of those rails means the rocker panel and possibly a door would be damaged.

I took off the OEM rails and installed a set of frame mounted combination steps that have a rock rail incorporated into the structure. I needed steps so my vertically challenged better half could get into the JL after I lifted it and I wanted the protection as well.

I've been looking at these Westin rails/steps for my Willys XR (on order). Does your SO find them convenient and easy to use? How much distance between these and the door frame? How challenging was it to remove the original frame rail and bolts?
Thanks!

 

[JL MADDOG]

I've been looking at these Westin rails/steps for my Willys XR (on order). Does your SO find them convenient and easy to use? How much distance between these and the door frame? How challenging was it to remove the original frame rail and bolts?
Thanks!

The Mrs. loves them. They make entry into the cabin much easier for my vertically challenged better half and having the factory grab handles on the A-pillar makes the steps the perfect solution for her.

The two clearance points that seem to be the most important is how far the steps protrude out from the rocker panels and the height of clearance between the step pad and the doors.

The steps protrude about 4" past the vertical face of the doors which is plenty. There's no problem with hitting the door when putting your foot on the step. Since the rocker panel angles back towards the center of the vehicle below the door frame you have at least 4" of vertical clearance for your foot.

Installation was easy. I had OEM sliders on the Willys which were easy to remove. You are instructed by Westin to remove the body mount bolts on both sides plus two nuts to expose the bolts behind them. They are not hard to get to and simple hand tools are all you need. Since my Willys was almost brand new I didn't have to deal with any corrosion or rust jacking on the threads. A little penetrant would work well here if some rust exists.

All in all it was a simple bolt on. Having a second set of hands to place the other end of the step bar/rock rail would be very helpful but not absolutely needed. I used a jack stand to support the other end of the units as I bolted them up.

Don't forget to torque the bolts to the required specifications found on the Westin installation instructions.

 

[Albertaktm]

I just ordered a 2023 2 door Willys. Not a fan of the rock rails. I am going to just get a set of Mopar running boards. They look the best. Follows the lines of the front and rear fenders. And provide good rock chip protection.

 

[Dan M.]

Question for the OP. Do you do any off roading and if so how intense is it? Rock rails aren't really needed unless you are doing some pretty intense off roading. There are lots of options for steps/running boards and they are way cheaper if you don't need something that can support the weight of your jeep or withstand hard hits from rocks. I don't off road, so I got a pair from quadratech for a couple hundred bucks (my wife pretty much demanded it). super easy to install.

 

[Captain Tuttle]

I have a 2023 2-dr. Willys. It came stock with the rock rails. I thought I could manage without a running board or something, so I didn't order the sliders. I'm regretting that now ?.

Can I keep the rails and install some sort of running board?
If so, which do you recommend?

(Also, I'm totally new to the Jeep world so there's a good chance I'm totally messing up all the terminology here. LOL)

I took delivery of my 23 Willys 2-door on 12/28. I had the M.O.R.E. 4X4 Hide-a-Step waiting and am installing them later today. I bought one for each side.

I like the retractable design, low-profile and ability to remove quickly for off-road use.

I think I would have liked the Mopar Performance Rock Rails but for me, not worth the $900 cost over the Rubicon Rock Rails that come stock.

 

[blnewt]

I just ordered a 2023 2 door Willys. Not a fan of the rock rails. I am going to just get a set of Mopar running boards. They look the best. Follows the lines of the front and rear fenders. And provide good rock chip protection.

I had some other steel side steps but wife wasn't a fan of the smaller step area. I had the same Mopar plastic steps soon after we bought our JL, removed them and got the steel ones, but wife liked the Mopar ones much better. For an actual step they probably are best since they offer a wide stable step area w/ good somewhat grippy surface. I do some rock crawling so added a bit more trail worthy reinforcement, so far so good FWIW, I like those Westins that @JL MADDOG posted, looks like they have a similar step area as the Mopars but w/ actual rock sliding function. Here's a few pics of my Mopars w/ added steel plate

 

[blnewt]

The Mrs. loves them. They make entry into the cabin much easier for my vertically challenged better half and having the factory grab handles on the A-pillar makes the steps the perfect solution for her.

The two clearance points that seem to be the most important is how far the steps protrude out from the rocker panels and the height of clearance between the step pad and the doors.

The steps protrude about 4" past the vertical face of the doors which is plenty. There's no problem with hitting the door when putting your foot on the step. Since the rocker panel angles back towards the center of the vehicle below the door frame you have at least 4" of vertical clearance for your foot.

Installation was easy. I had OEM sliders on the Willys which were easy to remove. You are instructed by Westin to remove the body mount bolts on both sides plus two nuts to expose the bolts behind them. They are not hard to get to and simple hand tools are all you need. Since my Willys was almost brand new I didn't have to deal with any corrosion or rust jacking on the threads. A little penetrant would work well here if some rust exists.

All in all it was a simple bolt on. Having a second set of hands to place the other end of the step bar/rock rail would be very helpful but not absolutely needed. I used a jack stand to support the other end of the units as I bolted them up.

Don't forget to torque the bolts to the required specifications found on the Westin installation instructions.

Do they have these for the 2 door, if so do you have the part #? On Westins site they only list for Unlimited models
https://www.westinautomotive.com/jeep-wrangler-triple-tube-rock-rails/2019/jeep/wrangler-jl

 

[JL MADDOG]

Do they have these for the 2 door, if so do you have the part #? On Westins site they only list for Unlimited models
https://www.westinautomotive.com/jeep-wrangler-triple-tube-rock-rails/2019/jeep/wrangler-jl

I don't know if they do or not. I was looking for the application that fit my 4DR JL.

 

[blnewt]

I don't know if they do or not. I was looking for the application that fit my 4DR JL.

After a bit of searching it appears they make them for 2 doors, but only JKs
I do like the good functionality and look of those, figures only the 4door JLs get that lucky

 

[JJ_WA]

The Mrs. loves them. They make entry into the cabin much easier for my vertically challenged better half and having the factory grab handles on the A-pillar makes the steps the perfect solution for her.

The two clearance points that seem to be the most important is how far the steps protrude out from the rocker panels and the height of clearance between the step pad and the doors.

The steps protrude about 4" past the vertical face of the doors which is plenty. There's no problem with hitting the door when putting your foot on the step. Since the rocker panel angles back towards the center of the vehicle below the door frame you have at least 4" of vertical clearance for your foot.

Installation was easy. I had OEM sliders on the Willys which were easy to remove. You are instructed by Westin to remove the body mount bolts on both sides plus two nuts to expose the bolts behind them. They are not hard to get to and simple hand tools are all you need. Since my Willys was almost brand new I didn't have to deal with any corrosion or rust jacking on the threads. A little penetrant would work well here if some rust exists.

All in all it was a simple bolt on. Having a second set of hands to place the other end of the step bar/rock rail would be very helpful but not absolutely needed. I used a jack stand to support the other end of the units as I bolted them up.

Don't forget to torque the bolts to the required specifications found on the Westin installation instructions.

Thanks! They sound like a good solution for the extra lift of the XR. I have all the tools needed. Now I have to be patient my order will be filled in the next 2~3 months and I catch a Westin sale on their site or Amazon.

 

[JL MADDOG]

Thanks! They sound like a good solution for the extra lift of the XR. I have all the tools needed. Now I have to be patient my order will be filled in the next 2~3 months and I catch a Westin sale on their site or Amazon.

Yeah, I have a 3.5" lift on my Willys and having some steps was absolutely required if the Mrs. was gonna be riding in it.

Good luck with your order. They were in stock when I purchased mine at Amazon.

 

[JamLit]

Question for the OP. Do you do any off roading and if so how intense is it? Rock rails aren't really needed unless you are doing some pretty intense off roading. There are lots of options for steps/running boards and they are way cheaper if you don't need something that can support the weight of your jeep or withstand hard hits from rocks. I don't off road, so I got a pair from quadratech for a couple hundred bucks (my wife pretty much demanded it). super easy to install.

Pretty much no off roading, I just really like the way the rock rails look. Haha.

 

[Dan M.]

If you like the way they look, by all means go with it. Just search the various Jeep vendor websites (Quadratech, Northridge 4x4, etc.) and get something you think looks good. don't worry about it they install on the pinch welds or frame as either way will be fine for your needs. The cheaper ones you see most likely will be for looks and ease of access only.

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