Side Steps / Running Board Recommendations

[CurlsNAJeep]

Hey Y'all! I just recently purchased a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport S about a week ago! I absolutely love it! This is my first Jeep! I'm looking for recommendations on side steps/running boards. If anyone has any recommendations, pros and cons of each, what not to do or learnings to share, I'm all ears!
Thank you!

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[STW]

It will depend on if you want 1) actual step-up help to get into the Jeep, which is sometimes helpful for shorter people getting into lifted Jeeps. Or 2) something that looks good there and covers up the pinch seam the Sport model leaves exposed.

If you just want #2 then I recommend finding some Rubicon take-off Rock Rails. They look good, cover that pinch seam, give some decent slider protection for what they are, and lots of people replace them with heavy duty sliders so you'll find take-offs to buy. But they don't have a step and are not a running board.

Since you asked about running boards and steps, I'm guessing you're not looking for sliders or rocker protection, which is what you're most likely to see on most built Jeeps and are intended to protect the lower side edges of a Wrangler from rocks you can bounce on or scrape on in off-road situations.

My experience has been that to get actual help stepping up into a Jeep for someone who needs it, you need a step lower than the edge of the Jeep. You need something the divides that step-up height in to two steps. Proper sliders are too high to help that even if they have a step built in. You probably know this, but sliders are they're designed that way to stay high and out of the way of rocks so they don't reduce your off-road clearance.

Meanwhile any running board with a useful permanent step, has that step dropped low enough to severely reduce rocker clearance and will get torn off if you do any rock crawling.

There are a few side steps that retract up so they stay out of the way and don't reduce clearance, but other than those, you're choosing either slider protection with good clearance or a useful step-up but not both.

 

[Dusty Dude]

Congrats! It will somewhat depend on how you plan to use your Jeep. Rockcrawling will require a totally different set compared to mostly on road use. Gravel roads can make a difference too due to rocks being picked up by the tires.

 

[CurlsNAJeep]

It will depend on if you want 1) actual step-up help to get into the Jeep, which is sometimes helpful for shorter people getting into lifted Jeeps. Or 2) something that looks good there and covers up the pinch seam the Sport model leaves exposed.

If you just want #2 then I recommend finding some Rubicon take-off Rock Rails. They look good, cover that pinch seam, give some decent slider protection for what they are, and lots of people replace them with heavy duty sliders so you'll find take-offs to buy. But they don't have a step and are not a running board.

Since you asked about running boards and steps, I'm guessing you're not looking for sliders or rocker protection, which is what you're most likely to see on most built Jeeps and are intended to protect the lower side edges of a Wrangler from rocks you can bounce on or scrape on in off-road situations.

My experience has been that to get actual help stepping up into a Jeep for someone who needs it, you need a step lower than the edge of the Jeep. You need something the divides that step-up height in to two steps. Proper sliders are too high to help that even if they have a step built in. You probably know this, but sliders are they're designed that way to stay high and out of the way of rocks so they don't reduce your off-road clearance.

Meanwhile any running board with a useful permanent step, has that step dropped low enough to severely reduce rocker clearance and will get torn off if you do any rock crawling.

There are a few side steps that retract up so they stay out of the way and don't reduce clearance, but other than those, you're choosing either slider protection with good clearance or a useful step-up but not both.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I think for now I'll go option 2. I'll definitely take a look around!

 

[CurlsNAJeep]

Congrats! It will somewhat depend on how you plan to use your Jeep. Rockcrawling will require a totally different set compared to mostly on road use. Gravel roads can make a difference too due to rocks being picked up by the tires.

It'll probably be just Road use for now. Not quite ready for off-roading just yet!

 

[Ratbert]

As others have said, it depends on what you're wanting them for.

We do more challenging trails and my wife wanted something that would help her deal with the height of 37s / 3" lift. Not cheap and not quite as durable as some without the step, but they're pretty awesome. Definitely not cheap.

https://rockslideengineering.com/product-tag/jl-step-slider/

 

[DonBindas]

I put ROAM rock sliders on mine with the led lights that light up when the doors open.

The ROAM set up eliminates the worry about snapping the body mount bolts during assembly.

I can't say enough good things about them!

Here's a link to some that were already sold-but the photos are excellent.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...mor-steps-jlu-oe-location-body-mounted.73295/

 

[Jeep 2024]

It'll probably be just Road use for now. Not quite ready for off-roading just yet!

I just installed a set of Amp Research electric steps this week end on my 2024 Rubicon.. Sweet set up if ya got 2K to spare.. Install is easy 3 hr project if your handy..

 

[JJ_WA]

I found a set of Running Boards for the Sahara on eBay to be just what we need for that extra boost into our Willys XR. Our use case is light off-roading, primarily road driving. I paid about $150 (less than what take-offs were being asked for around here) and really like them:
Running Boards for 2018-2024 Jeep Wrangler JL 4 Door 6" ABS Nerf Bars Side Steps

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193130470227

They came complete with all the hardware needed to mount.

You can check out the first post in my build journal to see how it went: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/jj_wa-willys-xr-build.114395

 

[xylodan]

I have the Westin Triple Tube Rock Rails and firmly believe they are the best value out there.

https://www.westinautomotive.com/jeep-wrangler-triple-tube-rock-rails

 

[tker32]

I wanted something to cover the pinch seem but still needed a lower step for my wife and daughter to get in and out. I ended up going with the Rough Country Contour rails and have been happy with them. Both of my girls did mention that the step location is a little awkward, but I think they have gotten used to it and it's better than no step at all.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/jeep-wrangler-contoured-drop-side-step-bars-black-90769a.html

 

[me109stock]

My first mod was Rockslide Engineering steps. My wife needed them to assist her getting into the jeep even stock, so I knew lifted she would absolutely need them. The RSE steps extend about 10" when deployed - I can get measurements from ground level on my 3.5" Metal Cloak lifted on 37s jeep if you want me to. I also knew I was going to be banging them on rocks - and I can tell you they live up to the hype. I don't have the additional 1/4" armor installed on them and I can tell you from experience they can handle at least a 6" drop onto a rock and pivoting the jeep around boulders on the slider. Mine have more than a few scrapes from trail running... in my opinion they are the best option if you want a high step and rock protection. Like mentioned in a prior response, they aren't cheap, but they are worth every penny if you need a step and rocker protection.

 

[Annie oakley]

Hey Y'all! I just recently purchased a 2024 Jeep Wrangler Sport S about a week ago! I absolutely love it! This is my first Jeep! I'm looking for recommendations on side steps/running boards. If anyone has any recommendations, pros and cons of each, what not to do or learnings to share, I'm all ears!
Thank you!

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