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

[wanderer]

A short update on my roam side rails/steps I was out on a pretty difficult little trail a few weeks ago. You know the kind where you can get into some serious trouble if you aren’t careful and capable. Found my self in low range with the rear locker on crawling boulders. On a couple of occasions I slid off landed pretty heavily on the steps the kind of landing that makes you think oh crap that’s gonna leave a dent. But when done with the ride I checked no dents just some rock dust and very minor scrapes. Truth be told. I didn’t slide sideways on to the rail with the full weight of the Jeep but I was pleasantly surprised anyway!

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[JLmartacus]

Have any instructions how you wired the lights? Do they turn on when you grab the door handles?

I basically followed this thread for the wiring. The dome light is the trigger, so they turn on whenever the dome light is on. Not when you just grab the door handle.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...step-lights-with-door-open-illumination.8744/

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Really like my ACE... Read all the post of working with the body on frame bolts and nuts and you will be able to enjoy them.

Those look great, especially like the black on Mojito. Didn't know they did installation, too.

 

[MacJack]

Those look great, especially like the black on Mojito. Didn't know they did installation, too.

Thanks.... I did this with my Jeeping Buddy who has a Red JLU as we purchase at the same time.

 

[wangdiddy]

LOD!

 

[jordanblaze]

I am not sure if this has been posted before but I just bolte on rough country drop steps. Install was easy and I love the way they look.

soo...when installing, where do the 12 smaller washers go? i'm GUESSING they're used in "step 1" when attaching the brackets to the rails/steps with the 20mm bolts & lock washers...is that correct? the instructions are atrocious.

 

[Jay 13]

soo...when installing, where do the 12 smaller washers go? i'm GUESSING they're used in "step 1" when attaching the brackets to the rails/steps with the 20mm bolts & lock washers...is that correct? the instructions are atrocious.

I’ll chime in here, as I’ve installed the same
Steps.....
Yea some are used while attaching brackets to the steps, and the others are used now on the brackets while attaching those to the pinch seam (6 per side passenger/driver)

hope this helps

 

[jordanblaze]

I’ll chime in here, as I’ve installed the same
Steps.....
Yea some are used while attaching brackets to the steps, and the others are used now on the brackets while attaching those to the pinch seam (6 per side passenger/driver)

hope this helps

Maybe they've changed the hardware? Mine only had 12 smaller washers (and 36 large washers) which means if you use em for to attach the brackets to the steps, there would be no more for the pinch welds...also. did you find you had to compress the lock washers to be able to get the bolt to catch enough threads on the welded nut when attaching the brackets to the steps?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Jay 13]

Maybe they've changed the hardware? Mine only had 12 smaller washers (and 36 large washers) which means if you use em for to attach the brackets to the steps, there would be no more for the pinch welds...also. did you find you had to compress the lock washers to be able to get the bolt to catch enough threads on the welded nut when attaching the brackets to the steps?

Thanks for your help!

I’m not sure if they’ve “changed” the hardware....but I do remember there strangely not being enough washers so I had to go out to grab a few more think it was another 4 washers or so.

off top of my head I believe I used the bigger washers for the bracket to steps assembly and than when mounting those brackets (now attached to steps) to the 3 body mounting points to the Jeep(on each side) and the smaller ones for the pinch seam with a lock washer. either way I’d use the bigger washers for the points were it’s needed like bracket to step than said bracket to body of Jeep and the rest for the pinch seams. (If you run out than easy pick up at any local hardware store) I know that’s a pain but I did have to as was missing a few. But less time than calling RC to have them delivered out to you.

“did you find you had to compress the lock washers to be able to get the bolt to catch enough threads on the welded nut when attaching the brackets to the steps?”

Yes but it was more of a wiggle room thing where the bracket had some play for adjusting purposes...but once you fit it through place lock washer on and then tighten bolt it’s pretty well on there with no issues.

and no problem, happy to help anyway I can (hopefully I have) trying to remember exactly how it went from the summer to try and answer your questions as best I can...

Yea the instructions aren’t the best....but I’ve seen worse ones lol. Are you installing these as we speak?

 

[modeler]

Without having to read 85pages,what the cheapest option?

 

[greenerobnmu]

Without having to read 85pages,what the cheapest option?

A plastic step from Walmart.

 

[Mamacast]

LOD!

How many inches will the step place be lower than the rail? I am not sure it is enough to make a difference for this 5'2 person!

 

[lodoffroad]

LOD!

We would love to get some hi res photos of your Jeep for our website!

 

[JWAustinVTX]

I am not sure if this has been posted before but I just bolte on rough country drop steps. Install was easy and I love the way they look.

Pictures look great. It has a tight fit look and no gaps like some of the other steps. These will go on my Jeep very soon.

 

[Foster_WV]

Looking at N-Fab Tube SideSteps and noticed Rugged Ridge has a set that looks identical. What am I missing? Is there a difference in quality etc?

also there’s two sizes of N-FAB 2” and 3” tube???