Havoc Offroad HS2 Side Steps - Review 2021 Jeep Gladiator

[STL Gladiator]

So I recently traded my 2020 Jeep JT Max Tow in for a 2021 JT Rubicon. I was happy with my Max Tow, and I had it in for the steering TSB when approached by a sales man... here in the mid-west inventory is low on good used vehicles swell as new, so I took advantage.
Mind you after my trade in for the JTR, my old Max Tow sold in 3 days...meaning Jeep demand is up.

Anyways my max tow had Mopar side steps, so I knew we needed something for the Rubicon.
I did some mild research on side steps to replace the factory Rubicon Rock rails. I only spent about 2 weeks going back and forth between some electrical steps e.g. AMP or RSE, then deciding to go a different route in favor of something fixed. So I set my sites on n-fab podium steps, n-fab RS steps and Havoc Offrad HS2 steps.

After talking to a few forum members BrandonG & Sarao for helping and answering questions.

I ultimately chose the HAVOC OFFROAD HS2 steps in black textured powder coat although VERY similar to n-fab I chose the former for a couple reasons:

• Havoc's customer service, the provided a PDF for install upon request. n-fab I couldn't reach by phone/email and Quadratec didn't have any documentation website...and we all know QTecs website is stellar when when it comes to PDFs
• Havoc uses one additional mounting location on the pinch seam to the underside of the body. They use a mount directly inline with the passenger step.
• The HS2 steps are made of stainless steel (I think 409.SS structural type) which is corrosion resistant.
• They were on sale for $373.15 at time of purchase in Sept. 2020, but in Oct 2020 they have $100.00 Mail in rebate. directly on Havoc's website.
• https://havocoffroad.com/p/havoc-hs2-black-hoop-steps/v/jeep/gladiator/2021/

Box is arrived via Fedex, shipping was about 3-4 days, wife said the Fedex driver just threw the box on the porch.

1. There was hole in the box but nothing was damaged and everything was wrapped pretty good...matter of fact I reused to bubble wrap to protect the original rock slider for storage.
2. Note the box label looks very different than the pic that's posted on most jeep accessory websites.
3. Upon unboxing I examined contents and noted a few measurements for others to consider - see pics.
4. The actual step is just under 4mm thickness and 4.75" in depth crease to crease.
5. Also noticed the fore or leaded mounting brackets is thicker than the remaining brackets.
6. Note the weather edging looked cool but the edges under it were finished and not sharp at all...I think it just for cosmetics.

Hardware and instructions:

1. The instructions are not the best, they use a lot of inference but their side steps so you can figure it out right...LOL.
2. The Havoc hardware pack included M6 and M8 bolts with washers and lock washers.
3. I didn't not use any of the M6 bolts, nuts or washers provided because all the holes in the steps were large enough for M8s in all places.
4. I did reuse six of the original Mopar M8 body bolts from what held the Rubicons sliders back under the body.
5. The hardware pack only included two M8x35mm bolts but to use all the larger M8 hardware to mount up I had to go out and purchase two additional M8x35mm bolts.
6. After all of that, I had a whole lot of left over hardware...particularly the unused M6s some extras provided by HAVOC OFFROAD.

Build and Installation:

1. Driver side - install was straight forward straight forward all bolts lined up perfectly.
2. I had no surprises accept for the edging material that came wrapped on the bottom support which I removed as it served no purpose in my opinion, but could create problems later on down the road.
3. Passenger side - was a little more challenging as the steps would not line up.
4. As I said before, I have had 2020 JT and now own a 2021 JT...I specially ordered side steps for a 2021 Gladiator as I know there may be some slight differences that aren't obvious.
5. That said, there is a bracket on the passenger side of the frame that prevent the bolt hole from lining up...even after removing the weather stripping.
6. My options were to cut or going the steps...which is stainless or cut the bracket on the Frame.
7. I chose to just cut about 10mm of the top of the Frame bracket to make clearance for the steps.
8. I cut the Fram bracket for a couple reasons:
   1. The bracket serves no purpose that I can see.
   2. My small 10 millimeter cut was slight if anything.
   3. It was easier to cut this in 5 mins vs cutting the stainless steel steps bracket.
   4. because of the voids in the mounts on the steps I worry about compromised structural integrity (buckling or cracking later).
   5. Drilling or wallowing out the already slotted holes would be crap a shoot as these steps slide into place after the pinch bolts are tightened and I may have gotten away with not modding one hole...but there 2 holes would still need coaxing.
   6. Additionally, if decide to sell the Havoc side steps...it would be easier to sell them unmodified.

After all of that and some filing and clean up...and a little Rustoleum rattle can everything went on great. I don't remember this frame bracket being on the 2020 JT but I would have any issue cutting that frame bracket if it did to make these side steps work.

Overall they look great, the finish is good and its easier getting in and our of the Jeep. I would buy them again.

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[RiverRock]

Thanks for the great write-up. You should send to Havoc. Maybe they will make adjustments.

 

[Deleted member 24880]

Any pics of the truck with them on? Also, any chance you can measure the step pad itself and how far they start and finish from the front? I have a set of RC steps that are similar but the step itself is to far forward for the wife and makes for a weird step when she gets iN. Looking to swap mine out for something better to keep momma happy. Will definitely have to do this if I add more lift Because I don't want to listen to it if you know what I mean. LOL. Thanks,

 

[STL Gladiator]

Any pics of the truck with them on? Also, any chance you can measure the step pad itself and how far they start and finish from the front? I have a set of RC steps that are similar but the step itself is to far forward for the wife and makes for a weird step when she gets iN. Looking to swap mine out for something better to keep momma happy. Will definitely have to do this if I add more lift Because I don't want to listen to it if you know what I mean. LOL. Thanks,

@BryanG
The side steps have an overall length of 7 feet.

Please see pics for other measurements. I personally think the steps could go rear ward about 2 inches to help exit, but getting in is actually perfect and so far I have gotten no complaints from my wife who is 5'2" and 10 year old daughter.

 

[Deleted member 24880]

STL, thanks for the picks and measurement. They look to be almost identical measurements as the RC I currently have. I agree with they should be 2” farther back and that what my wife complains about they are to far forward. Appreciate your help!

 

[HOT MAMA]

Where did you buy your extra bolts? Been trying and can't find any where.

 

[cooperjet]

Just installed a set on my Mojave. Not sure why they weren’t consistent with the bolt sizes but the M6 were easier to get into the pinch weld than the longer M8. Seems to be working well. The family loves them but we all agree that 2” farther back would be even better. I had the same bracket on the right side but it barely cleared. Thanks for the review you did.

 

[STL Gladiator]

Where did you buy your extra bolts? Been trying and can't find any where.

Ace Hardware

 

[nas4a]

So I just installed these on my new '22 JTSD earlier today - I didn't have the bracket alignment issues the OP had. In general, fit and finish was very good. The only issue I had was the rear passenger side bracket was shifted about 1/4" too far forward to line up with the hole in the body (pinch welds fit fine and had wiggle-room). All I did was put a ratchet strap on the bracket and pulled it back and then the bolt went right in. Easy peasy.

I really like the look. Simple and rugged. They feel very solid. Like the OP, I think the M6 bolts weren't necessary - it was a little odd that they had mixed sizes. M8 would've worked on all the holes on mine. With that said, I didn't swap them out - the mounting was plenty solid in my opinion, even with the smaller bolts in some holes.

I liked that the step is not covered with manufacturer branding on the stamping or anything like some of the other tube steps. The powder coat looked good - no thin spots. As noted, the caps are sealed, and stainless construction should help with rusting.

Overall - took me ~2 hours, and I'm pleased with the result. The fitment issues seem to me like they are more driven by variance in the Jeeps honestly.

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