JT Overland - alternative to stock "running boards"

[ShadowsPapa]

This may be a rather unique situation, we'll see.
I have and love our JT Overland - as you know they come stock/factory with the "running boards". The overland doesn't stand really tall but still tall enough even I grab the handle or steering wheel and pull up when using the running board to get in.
The stock running boards sit high - not that far down from the sill, so they in themselves are a large step up, especially for some people - perhaps with bad knees, people not over 5'5", that sort of thing.
It's great for keeping the crud off the side of the truck - it does a great job at that.
It's also some minor protection for going through hard packed snow piles and showing off a bit as I found out today in a parking lot with piles of snow packed by plows. I could hear that hard packed snow scraping along the running boards.
My wife struggles bad to get into and out of this truck. The Chevy running boards were placed almost perfect, about half-way up between ground and the sills getting in - a true STEP.
She also has a handicap in that her right arm can't even come close to reaching that grab handle on the A-pillar, and her left arm - well, that's a stretch too because then she's reaching across for it. In short this truck is high for her even stock from the factory and the running boards don't really help. So please keep in mind this is a person without normal arms who can reach that handle and pull up - getting out is fun, she has to slide out and then with the vehicle muddy from the salt and sand and snow - she gets filthy getting out.
She suggested I find a way to put some sort of step on it.
I'm trying to find something that doesn't break the bank, actually functions as a STEP that's lower than these running boards.
I'd either want to leave these on as they do protect the truck from front wheel rocks and sand and crud tossed up against the rocker panels - or find something that would do the same thing but be a step for her (heck, for me too, for that matter)
I don't want to lose the protection they offer. One reason I liked this was the fact that the running boards keep the sides cleaner.

Is there anything that does what these do but acts more like a STEP to get in with?

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[jrf]

This MIGHT work with the factory running boards:

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/wrangler-jl/products/hide-a-step-black-jl

 

[jurfie]

Don't use your steering wheel as a grab handle when getting in; you will eventually damage the steering column (how quickly this happens depends on your circumference). Also, can your wife reach the grab bar on the dash?

That step that @jrf posted looks like a good option, but the site says they are not compatible with the JL Sahara sliders, which look to be the same style as the Overland sliders.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Don't use your steering wheel as a grab handle when getting in; you will eventually damage the steering column (how quickly this happens depends on your circumference). Also, can your wife reach the grab bar on the dash?

That step that @jrf posted looks like a good option, but the site says they are not compatible with the JL Sahara sliders, which look to be the same style as the Overland sliders.

I'd switched away from the wheel because it hit me how bad the older GM columns from the 70s and 80s were to rebuild (the tilt version anyway) and how fragile they could be.........

No, she couldn't reach the dash handle and that's more in than up. Her right arm is as long as yours is to the elbow and her left elbow only opens or extends about 90% - that way from birth. Some sort of step or similar will be a must.
I measured and the top of the Overland "running board" is 17.25" from the ground. The sill of the JT is 5" above that, putting the sill 22.25" above the ground - nearly 2 feet, and the running board is almost a foot and a half.
That's at the front doors - the back doors the running board is 19.5" from the ground.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

This MIGHT work with the factory running boards:

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/wrangler-jl/products/hide-a-step-black-jl

Thanks - but not so sure they'd attach since the running boards attach to the pinch weld area bottom of the rocker panels and the brackets up under the truck on the floor as well.
Guess I could contact them and ask!

I should add as I see I missed this part - part of the problem is getting OUT, too - she has to turn and literally slide out to the ground and gets her pants muddy or salted/sandy/dirty getting out. A step would help avoid dragging across the rocker panel area when getting out.

 

[jurfie]

I'd switched away from the wheel because it hit me how bad the older GM columns from the 70s and 80s were to rebuild (the tilt version anyway) and how fragile they could be.........

No, she couldn't reach the dash handle and that's more in than up. Her right arm is as long as yours is to the elbow and her left elbow only opens or extends about 90% - that way from birth. Some sort of step or similar will be a must.
I measured and the top of the Overland "running board" is 17.25" from the ground. The sill of the JT is 5" above that, putting the sill 22.25" above the ground - nearly 2 feet, and the running board is almost a foot and a half.
That's at the front doors - the back doors the running board is 19.5" from the ground.

Hmm...yeah, that would make it difficult for her to get in. Have you looked at something like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Yoursme-Autom...ocphy=9001533&hvtargid=pla-669137179664&psc=1

or this (maybe hung from the rollbar)?

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/stande...9k804FxmNQXLi28qImUaAunQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Of course accessories like that would be in the jeep, or somewhere else...... But a strap at the roll bar would at least help..... worth looking into.
The running boards are just plain too high off the ground in any case - having to lift a leg up and bend a knee to get up 17+ inches off the ground - she'll still want a step (her request, to help getting out as well - something to step onto getting out that's not so far off the ground.
The running boards on my Chevy were perfect, wide enough and almost exactly half-way from the ground to the sill, like a step should be.

 

[jurfie]

I wonder if a retractable bed step like this one can be modified to work. Just brainstorming/thinking out loud at this point.

https://www.quadratec.com/p/amp-research/retractable-bumper-step-jeep-gladiator-jt

 

[Mr._Bill]

This MIGHT work with the factory running boards:

https://mountainoffroad.com/collections/wrangler-jl/products/hide-a-step-black-jl

I asked and sent pictures. Scott said these won't work with the factory installed Overland step boards.

 

[Cleankat]

https://runningboardwarehouse.com/p/go-rhino-rb10-drop-step-running-boards/v/jeep/gladiator/2020/

I'm close to pulling the trigger on these, but they are pricey, waiting to see if there are any black Friday specials on them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I asked and sent pictures. Scott said these won't work with the factory installed Overland step boards.

OK, thanks - that's what I might have done.

 

[Mr._Bill]

OK, thanks - that's what I might have done.

I would think that it should be possible to fabricate a step that attaches to the bottom of the board, using the existing hardware. I'm surprised that one isn't already available. I would like to get a set of steps for my Overland, but don't want to buy a new set of boards.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I would think there's space in there for a retractable step as well.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Hmm...yeah, that would make it difficult for her to get in. Have you looked at something like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Yoursme-Autom...ocphy=9001533&hvtargid=pla-669137179664&psc=1

or this (maybe hung from the rollbar)?

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/stande...9k804FxmNQXLi28qImUaAunQEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I spoke with the Jeep "accessories" woman today and mentioned the problem my wife had getting in and OUT (almost worse) and I ran some of these things by them and they said - little lost by trying something like the strap or handle and since it would be on the left when put on the passenger side, it's worth a try and we talked about it a bit and I figure what the heck. The grab strap is cheap enough and can be attached to the roll bar like you said and is out of the way when not in use, leave it there, etc. so will give that a shot.

Otherwise I may keep looking too for some accessory retractable step or similar that could mount under the stock running boards.
Getting some good ideas here anyway.
Thanks to all who tried to help and give ideas. Pretty good group here.

 

[bolingde]

If anyone has an answer to this I'd be interested also.

If not possible to add side steps etc with the stock running board how hard would it be to take off the stock one?

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