Has anyone modified their Rock Rails by welding on step bars (like this)?

[Blindjustice1787]

I love the look of the Rock Rails that come on the Rubicon and the Mojave, and pretty much hate the idea of discarding these simply to pay $1000 plus for a step/rail combination that I am not crazy about. I have seen the ACE steps, and various other brands, and I simply do not understand why I would throw $1200 more at this.

I came across this video yesterday, and while I admittedly know very little about welding something like this together in terms of strength, it seems like a great work around.

Has anyone done this? Why would this be a bad idea? Any thoughts on adding a thin metal top cover to look something like the Rubi Steps made by Maximus-3?

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[texanjeeper]

He did a good job, and it looks pretty good, but it sure was a lot of trouble to do something like that when you could just buy some rock rails that are already like that. Either way, I would be interested to see how they hold up if he goes rock crawling.

 

[MarkN]

I did a similar thing but used schedule 40 pipe. I bought 45 and 90 degree joints and welded them on instead of bending. I added perforated steps for the front and solid for the back for my dog. I welded braces to attach an NFab step for when I lifted the truck. I can move the step from front to rear, or remove it for wheeling.

 

[Blindjustice1787]

I did a similar thing but used schedule 40 pipe. I bought 45 and 90 degree joints and welded them on instead of bending. I added perforated steps for the front and solid for the back for my dog. I welded braces to attach an NFab step for when I lifted the truck. I can move the step from front to rear, or remove it for wheeling.

Did you do this yourself or have it done? I need to pay someone, this is great!

 

[MarkN]

I did it. I used to have a welding business so it was pretty easy. I did pay to have it powder coated.

 

[Blindjustice1787]

I did it. I used to have a welding business so it was pretty easy. I did pay to have it powder coated.

Any chance you posted a write-up? I understand the basics of what you used, but would love a diagram/details spec of everything. I don’t have any experience working with metal, but if o has a plan, I believe I would get it done with someone. What material/product did you use for the steps?

Can you take some pictures of the weld locations along the rock rails themselves?

Also, would a “metal working” place be who I would look up to do this? Do they typically powder coat, or do you have to find an automotive painter for that?

 

[Dougstdig]

He did a good job, and it looks pretty good, but it sure was a lot of trouble to do something like that when you could just buy some rock rails that are already like that. Either way, I would be interested to see how they hold up if he goes rock crawling.

I’d be less concerned about how they hold up compared to the added leverage to the body mounting points.

 

[MarkN]

So I didn’t do a write but I do have a few pics and a blueprint. I bought some schedule 40 pipe 1 1/2 inch which measures 1 3/4 outside diameter and two 45 and two 90 degree elbows for the pipe. I welded the pipe together to the length I wanted with the 45 in the front and 90 to the rear. The ends were cut at an angle to fit flush against the rail. The paint was sanded off the rail where the welds would be. I removed the rail and welded the pipe to it. I reinstalled the rail and tacked in the braces. The braces are 1/4 x 2” flat stock. You have to grind a curve in one end to fit up around the pipe. I had the steps from an NFab rail I had on my other Jeep, so I decided where I wanted the step for the front and rear doors and placed the braces there. I removed the rail, completed the welds and ground smooth. The steps just bolt into the braces. I then welded the perforated step in the front and solid in the back for the dog. I had it powder coated at a local shop. Do a search in your area for a welding shop and give them this info. It’s pretty easy, any shop should be able to do it. If they don’t powder coat, they pry know someone who does. If not do a search for powder coating. Please don’t hate my “blueprints”’ I’m not a Draftsman. If you need any more info feel free to contact me. Good luck.

 

[dcmdon]

I like my factory rock rails, but just want a bit of an edge to step onto. I was thinking about using something like this to just add something I would get a foot on.



https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/carver-boat-grab-handle-7103753-10-3-4-inch-stainless-steel

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/l...-stainless-steel-marine-boat-grab-rail-handle

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/g...-rail-031-1993-gs-289-stainless-steel-19-inch

 

[jc1986]

So I didn’t do a write but I do have a few pics and a blueprint. I bought some schedule 40 pipe 1 1/2 inch which measures 1 3/4 outside diameter and two 45 and two 90 degree elbows for the pipe. I welded the pipe together to the length I wanted with the 45 in the front and 90 to the rear. The ends were cut at an angle to fit flush against the rail. The paint was sanded off the rail where the welds would be. I removed the rail and welded the pipe to it. I reinstalled the rail and tacked in the braces. The braces are 1/4 x 2” flat stock. You have to grind a curve in one end to fit up around the pipe. I had the steps from an NFab rail I had on my other Jeep, so I decided where I wanted the step for the front and rear doors and placed the braces there. I removed the rail, completed the welds and ground smooth. The steps just bolt into the braces. I then welded the perforated step in the front and solid in the back for the dog. I had it powder coated at a local shop. Do a search in your area for a welding shop and give them this info. It’s pretty easy, any shop should be able to do it. If they don’t powder coat, they pry know someone who does. If not do a search for powder coating. Please don’t hate my “blueprints”’ I’m not a Draftsman. If you need any more info feel free to contact me. Good luck.

This is exactly what I want. It’s similar to the setup, if not the same that expedition overland did to their gladiator.

 

[EddyArnold]

I like my factory rock rails, but just want a bit of an edge to step onto. I was thinking about using something like this to just add something I would get a foot on.



https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/carver-boat-grab-handle-7103753-10-3-4-inch-stainless-steel

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/l...-stainless-steel-marine-boat-grab-rail-handle

https://www.greatlakesskipper.com/g...-rail-031-1993-gs-289-stainless-steel-19-inch

Interesting idea... let us know how it goes!

 

[mrmo]

Looks good, but I would tear that thing off pretty quick, hang it up on something and prob bend the piss outta the rail itself....

 

[PsyRN]

So I didn’t do a write but I do have a few pics and a blueprint. I bought some schedule 40 pipe 1 1/2 inch which measures 1 3/4 outside diameter and two 45 and two 90 degree elbows for the pipe. I welded the pipe together to the length I wanted with the 45 in the front and 90 to the rear. The ends were cut at an angle to fit flush against the rail. The paint was sanded off the rail where the welds would be. I removed the rail and welded the pipe to it. I reinstalled the rail and tacked in the braces. The braces are 1/4 x 2” flat stock. You have to grind a curve in one end to fit up around the pipe. I had the steps from an NFab rail I had on my other Jeep, so I decided where I wanted the step for the front and rear doors and placed the braces there. I removed the rail, completed the welds and ground smooth. The steps just bolt into the braces. I then welded the perforated step in the front and solid in the back for the dog. I had it powder coated at a local shop. Do a search in your area for a welding shop and give them this info. It’s pretty easy, any shop should be able to do it. If they don’t powder coat, they pry know someone who does. If not do a search for powder coating. Please don’t hate my “blueprints”’ I’m not a Draftsman. If you need any more info feel free to contact me. Good luck.

Nice! I like the versatility of taking the step off when not needed. I can't weld or making of this but I know people who can. I like the idea of using the exiting rock rails too.

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