New Gladiator delivered without side steps?

[biplaneguy]

I like the look of the Westin steps but they seem to stick way out?

Somebody local was selling a set of Iron Cross sidearm steps and they looked decent, but he never got back to me.

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[BAT]

I like the look of the Westin steps but they seem to stick way out?

Somebody local was selling a set of Iron Cross sidearm steps and they looked decent, but he never got back to me.

I have the Westin Steps and they are not a bad option. My wife and daughter seem to like them and helps get them into the truck. I live in South Texas so there is no snow or mud, etc that I have to worry about them getting caught up in. If you can afford it look at the automatic up and down type of steps. I've been in a few vehicles that have those and they are nice but pricy

 

[GWolgamott]

I have the nfab formed steps similiar to the westin steps. I bounce on mild to moderate trails haven't caught them on anything yet. They'll catch mud, snow and rust due to that eventually. But they don't stick out enough for you to worry unless you're deciding to go rock climbing. I have mopar rails that I took off and kept just incase. If I take it somewhere where it may be sketchy to have them I'd just pull them off and put the rails on, but have never bothered as I don't take it anywhere like that usually. They're not that hard to take off really or put on. I've chipped the paint from it cathing small stones all the time, so I will take mine off this spring to sand and paint.


https://www.extremeterrain.com/n-fa...side-step-bars-textured-black-exj194t-tx.html

These are the version I put on, not cheapest and not the strongest most expensive. I like the style though clean simple formed typed design.

 

[MODROD]

New guy here... just took delivery of a new 2023 Sport. I got the most stripped down version I could find, even down to hand cranked windows, had to drive to a dealer in another state to get it.

Anyway, it didn't come with side steps or running boards or anything, just the pinch edge with holes where it attaches. One of the dealer guys said they weren't included with the basic Sport package and I dismissed it as lots of aftermarket stuff is available. Then forgot to ask again as it was a long day, and they're closed today.

I know there are other fancier ones available as options and I'll likely go that way, but surely there should be some basic version already there, no?

I'd stay away from any of the models that do not bolt to the frame if you plan on using your Jeep offroad at all. Any that bolt to the body lip will tear off or easily bend possibly causing damage to your Jeep body.

 

[biplaneguy]

I see Westin has these, in stainless steel and a reasonable price:

https://www.amazon.com/Westin-56-14...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584345032505873&psc=1

Not crazy about the shiny plates but they could be coated at the same time as I do the spray on bedliner.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I'd stay away from any of the models that do not bolt to the frame if you plan on using your Jeep offroad at all. Any that bolt to the body lip will tear off or easily bend possibly causing damage to your Jeep body.

I can't say I agree here.

My two door JK had the factory body mounted rock rails. Wheeled it on 14 badge trails from Arizona to West Virginia. No issues.

Two of my buddies have two door JKs, also with pinch weld mounted rock rails (one has Metalcloak, one has OEM), both have been down the Rubicon Trail, one down the Dusy Ershim. No major issues with the rails.

Finally, another friend has a '22 Gladiator on 37's. It's been down the Rubicon Trail, among other places, with the Jeep Performance rock rails (the wide ones, but still pinch / floor mounted). No issues with the body.

If you wheel with tons of right foot, or like your rig is a rock bouncer at the King of Hammers - well that's another thing all together. But most folks rigs will be fine with factory style rock rails, even on moderate to difficult trails.

Not dissuading anyone from frame mounts though. If you have the money, want the weight, or the added aggravation of installing them - I'm not stopping anyone. They just aren't necessary for most folks in my experience.

 

[biplaneguy]

OTOH, the local guy with the Iron Cross rails just got back to me. Anybody have any experience with these?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I can't say I agree here.

My two door JK had the factory body mounted rock rails. Wheeled it on 14 badge trails from Arizona to West Virginia. No issues.

Two of my buddies have two door JKs, also with pinch weld mounted rock rails (one has Metalcloak, one has OEM), both have been down the Rubicon Trail, one down the Dusy Ershim. No major issues with the rails.

Finally, another friend has a '22 Gladiator on 37's. It's been down the Rubicon Trail, among other places, with the Jeep Performance rock rails (the wide ones, but still pinch / floor mounted). No issues with the body.

If you wheel with tons of right foot, or like your rig is a rock bouncer at the King of Hammers - well that's another thing all together. But most folks rigs will be fine with factory style rock rails, even on moderate to difficult trails.

Not dissuading anyone from frame mounts though. If you have the money, want the weight, or the added aggravation of installing them - I'm not stopping anyone. They just aren't necessary for most folks in my experience.

The downside with frame mounted is they don't offer as much clearance as body mounted.

KOH rigs don't usually run frame mounted.

 

[MODROD]

I can't say I agree here.

My two door JK had the factory body mounted rock rails. Wheeled it on 14 badge trails from Arizona to West Virginia. No issues.

Two of my buddies have two door JKs, also with pinch weld mounted rock rails (one has Metalcloak, one has OEM), both have been down the Rubicon Trail, one down the Dusy Ershim. No major issues with the rails.

Finally, another friend has a '22 Gladiator on 37's. It's been down the Rubicon Trail, among other places, with the Jeep Performance rock rails (the wide ones, but still pinch / floor mounted). No issues with the body.

If you wheel with tons of right foot, or like your rig is a rock bouncer at the King of Hammers - well that's another thing all together. But most folks rigs will be fine with factory style rock rails, even on moderate to difficult trails.

Not dissuading anyone from frame mounts though. If you have the money, want the weight, or the added aggravation of installing them - I'm not stopping anyone. They just aren't necessary for most folks in my experience.

I agree most people won't need much. But frame mounted are undoubtedly a stronger mount design compared to mounting to the pinched weld lip. Anything is better than nothing.

?????

 

[cranbiz]

I agree most people won't need much. But frame mounted are undoubtedly a stronger mount design compared to mounting to the pinched weld lip. Anything is better than nothing.

?????

Which is why I have frame mounted rails on my JK and body mounted rails on the JT. The Jk is the rock bouncer, the JT is the rescue vehicle.

 

[MODROD]

The downside with frame mounted is they don't offer as much clearance as body mounted.

KOH rigs don't usually run frame mounted.

That Gladiator has frame mounted rock sliders and he notched the body.

 

[Motoarch]

Jeez, lighten up. I did not expect steps, only when my wife wondered why it looked so unfinished I thought there maybe should have been some sort of basic trim or cover. And the pictures on Jeep's web page for my specific VIN showed something there, as does the "build your Jeep" page even when none of the optional rails are selected.

I deleted the comment before I saw you reply. It was a doucie thing to say and unnecessary.

It shouldn't be surprising though. Its not as if Wranglers/Gladiators are renowned for their high level of fit, finish and refinement.

Its cool that you went as base as possible in a time when most of us demand vehicals come with way more crap then we actually need to the point we've turned a cool rough and tumble go anywhere vehicle into $75-$80,000 pseudo luxury vehicles that will never go off road but will still get kitted out $20k in accessories.

 

[GWolgamott]

I agree most people won't need much. But frame mounted are undoubtedly a stronger mount design compared to mounting to the pinched weld lip. Anything is better than nothing.

?????

Hmm those I have are frame mounted, well four pairs of brackets to the frame then they attach to the bracket. I would have thought unlike rails that most steps would have to be frame mounted in some form that way. At least there is no way the steps weight i have would hang off the body for long. I did get something to directly mount where the rails that were frame mounted though. Didn't even think they'd sell those for steps anyways. Not talking rails. Live and learn I guess, but yes I 2nd that be sure they are frame mounted.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

That Gladiator has frame mounted rock sliders and he notched the body.

You are right!

Terrible example from me.

 

[biplaneguy]

I deleted the comment before I saw you reply...

It shouldn't be surprising though. Its not as if Wranglers/Gladiators are renowned for their high level of fit, finish and refinement.

Its cool that you went as base as possible in a time when most of us demand vehicals come with way more crap then we actually need

No sweat, been a rough morning on my end too...

My expectations of what a Jeep should be are largely formed by the CJ5 I had, very spartan. I figure the base model has less to go wrong and stretches my finances less.

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