Individual Steps vs Full Length Step Bar

[WambliSka]

I just removed the rock rails from my Mojave and installed the Mopar full length side steps. I also had them on my 21 Sport that was lifted. Here are the reasons.

First was the wife asked for them. She has a little struggle getting into the Mojave.

Other reasons, they protect the sides of the truck. Not unusual for me to do 100 miles or more a day on gravel/dirt roads. The steps help protect the door hinges and rear fenders from getting rock dinged and sand blasted. Also help from getting crap or mud (literally, open range here) from getting thrown all over the side of the truck.

Protection from door dings in a parking lot. Doors will hit the steps before they hit the side of the truck.

I don't rock crawl, but if I do happen to break one they are available individually.

Are the "Mopar full length sidestep" the heavy EBS plastic ones? I have a set that I removed from my Gladiator in my garage and if they are desirable to other gladiator owners I'd like to sell them since they seem to be about $600+ from Jeep I was just going to install rock rails but wife said NO WAY!!! So I ended up getting the metal ones I showed earlier in the thread.

I can say from having to take them off and move the damn things they are rather "heavy duty" which really surprised me. I half expected them to be there for show and light use (I also have a vertically challenged wife and other females in my life), not heavy off-road protection. But I can see where they would actually work for that.

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[cb4017]

Are the "Mopar full length sidestep" the heavy EBS plastic ones? I have a set that I removed from my Gladiator in my garage and if they are desirable to other gladiator owners I'd like to sell them since they seem to be about $600+ from Jeep I was just going to install rock rails but wife said NO WAY!!! So I ended up getting the metal ones I showed earlier in the thread.

I can say from having to take them off and move the damn things they are rather "heavy duty" which really surprised me. I half expected them to be there for show and light use (I also have a vertically challenged wife and other females in my life), not heavy off-road protection. But I can see where they would actually work for that.

Sounds like the same thing but here's a pic. They're not cool but for what I do they will be fine.

They should be worth something. I used to see them here on marketplace for around $200 or so. I hated paying almost retail but no used ones were listed on all the usual places. The good thing was I got them from the dealer where I bought the Mojave and had a 15% off coupon. Also, at 94" or so long they would be a PITA to ship.

 

[WambliSka]

Sounds like the same thing but here's a pic. They're not cool but for what I do they will be fine.

They should be worth something. I used to see them here on marketplace for around $200 or so. I hated paying almost retail but no used ones were listed on all the usual places. The good thing was I got them from the dealer where I bought the Mojave and had a 15% off coupon. Also, at 94" or so long they would be a PITA to ship.

Yep, those are them. They wok fine and as I mentioned they seem a LOT sturdier than I expected them to be. So now I have a set in my garage and was wondering what to do with them. I might put them on marketplace or just keep them in case I damage the metal ones so I have something to put back on. Wife won't let me run the Gladiator without a platform for her to step up on so she doest look like a weird monkey hopping aboard.

 

[JonMN]

So many choices in this category! We have been happy with our Westin HDX steps. They are wide enough to help reduce the Minnesota road spray in the winter, and the rubber coated steps are really nice and in just the right place. Also nice steps for washing the top. Construction is really study--no flex at all.

 

[NXTGENAutomotive]

It depends what you want the steps for:

We make the only drop down step that clamps onto the factory rails. They are removable so you can take them off for clearance and they can be put at 2 or 4 doors.

If you want a step to help get in or out, full length units up at rail height don't really help much because it is still a big step up and down.

Fixed drop down steps are not ideal on a vehicle like a Jeep, because while they are ok on lighter trails, they do remove clearance on tougher trails and they can get hung up.

For reference, here is our removable step for factory rails: https://nxtgenautomotive.com/xterrain-steps-for-wrangler-gladiator-factory-rock-slider-rails

Nothing beats a drop down for getting in or out, especially if people are shorter, kids, elderly, etc.
There are numerous options out there for that reason, as many people have different wants and needs. Each step product has pros, cons and tradeoffs.

 

[Mr Miami]

Sounds like the same thing but here's a pic. They're not cool but for what I do they will be fine.

They should be worth something. I used to see them here on marketplace for around $200 or so. I hated paying almost retail but no used ones were listed on all the usual places. The good thing was I got them from the dealer where I bought the Mojave and had a 15% off coupon. Also, at 94" or so long they would be a PITA to ship.

I got that type of side step for my '24 Rubicon also from one of the local Jeep dealers who discounts parts a lot, down to wholesale prices in many cases. I paid about $700. And yes, they are HEAVY. I took the rock rails off mine on day 2 of ownership and installed the side steps. Yes, they may not be the sexiest looking steps to some people but I am happy with them because the wife is happy with them and told me to sell or take the rock rails to the recycling place and get a few bucks back.

 

[Mr_Priest]

I have a Gladiator Rubicon Stock. I do not trail ride or go Jeeping. I only hunt out of it. I was talking to an avid Jeeper and he suggested the full bar rather than 4 individual steps. His rationale was he thinks they would be more likely to get damaged than if you have a full length bar. Your thoughts? How much does it impact clearance?

I've got the NXGEN drop-down side steps and the IAG EZ steps. Both are well made and strong. I bought the NXGEN because my mom (who's 94) had a hard time stepping into my Gladiator. I decided to just buy one set because I didn't want to shell out the added cost for two sets of NXGENS. A few months later I saw the IAG's and decided I'd by a set for my wife to use when she had to ride in the back seat. They both support my 280 pounds. I like both and it just comes down to what you need, the drop downs can be easily removed with an allen wrench, so they won't be in the way on rougher trails. The IAG's are already high so no need to remove them. Just an FYI, The IAG's are MUCH easier (and quicker) to install and quite a bit less in cost. Like I said, it comes down to what your individual needs are for steps on your original sliders.

 

[NXTGENAutomotive]

I've got the NXGEN drop-down side steps and the IAG EZ steps. Both are well made and strong. I bought the NXGEN because my mom (who's 94) had a hard time stepping into my Gladiator. I decided to just buy one set because I didn't want to shell out the added cost for two sets of NXGENS. A few months later I saw the IAG's and decided I'd by a set for my wife to use when she had to ride in the back seat. They both support my 280 pounds. I like both and it just comes down to what you need, the drop downs can be easily removed with an allen wrench, so they won't be in the way on rougher trails. The IAG's are already high so no need to remove them. Just an FYI, The IAG's are MUCH easier (and quicker) to install and quite a bit less in cost. Like I said, it comes down to what your individual needs are for steps on your original sliders.

This reminds us of the song in the 90's walking contradiction
We love it, having options is the best thing for the Jeep community.

One quick note about our steps:

Yes- due to our patented clamp system, the initial install is a bit longer to add the clamps and get them aligned. It is intended to be a one time thing though. Our design is to then leave them on and simply drop the step, which is just a few quick and easy screws. So adding and removing our step after install one, should be as quick or quicker than any other option.

There are a few big pros to this though:

1) Both steps are pretty sturdy when standing on them, thanks to gravity. But from the bottom, our steps are exponentially stronger than any other add-on step. Should something hit the bottom, ours are very strongly clamping the full rail. The EZ Step just sits on it and it is simply bolted only on 1 of 2 sides to the pinch weld bolt. They are only a step sometimes, but they are always on the Jeep and most hits will be from the bottom up, so something to keep in mind. A tire in the road, catching on something, etc., we engineered as much for this as just bouncing on it. We've tried every clamp on step ever made and nothing is as sturdy for anything beyond simply standing on it. That's the reason we took the time to design the really complicated and costly clamp system. Lift up on both steps and you see an instant difference.

2) Our clamps can go anywhere on the rail. The other kinds are in pretty fixed spots because they use pinch weld bolts to sit in place. Those fixed places might not be the natural place for a step in relation to how you would normally enter or exit. The pinch weld bolts tend to be more where the seat is vs where your feet are in relation to the door openings.

All food for thought.

Happy Holidays - The NXTGEN Team

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Full length all the way. Even if you just take it hunting some of those trails to get “out there” can have some snags. Full length only gives you 1 point to get stuck or snagged on each side. I have full length angled up that were installed when I bought it. Having said that they’re exactly what I would have installed if I’d done it myself.

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