Rockslide Engineering Power Steps

[Sduncan]

I decided I needed a set and picked them up Wednesday. I spent most all of yesterday getting them on, but I don’t move as fast as I used to so that added some time. So some thoughts..

1. The new Gen 3 versions are very well made. All the hardware is grade 8 and everything was there. The new design is a little sleeker and better contoured to the body.
2. The new wiring harness definitely simplified previous harnesses and is very well made. You no longer have to remove half the interior. The most difficult part with wiring was dealing with the interior trim.
3. Be CAREFUL with the body bolts. You’ve likely heard of the nightmares of broken bolts from using impact guns to remove them. I used a breaker bar and all the front 4 came out good. The rears I got nervous and added some heat and slowly backed them out. You’ll need to “move” the washers up the bolts to allow the brackets to fit as needed, but a BFH and a large socket got them moved. After that no problems.
4. There needs to be better direction on the placement of the weather strip pad that sitcoms to the body. I put a step on and then made my decision on where to place the strip.. it was 3/8 lower than their recommended placement. I have about 1/4 inch of the weather strip sitting above the steps. On the second one I used painters tape to get the placement I wanted.
5. It’s better to have some help handling them when putting them on to avoid damaging your paint. You have to hit the pinch seam holes just right and the size and weight of them makes it awkward.

I’ll post again after they get some use. I’m not going to beat them on rocks as this truck is not used for that. They were added to make it easier for me, my 5’2” tall wife, and my 80 year old dad to get into the JT (3.0 lift and 37s).

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[mystic330]

Looks great!!
Thanks for posting the tips.

Any feedback after about a month now?
Im interested in the rear seat entry using them as they look a little short….

 

[KidBobot]

Did you get the added plating that shrouds it? Or did you just leave as-is?
Debating if I'd ever need them. I don't really plan on rock crawling.

 

[zuki_dan]

Did you get the added plating that shrouds it? Or did you just leave as-is?
Debating if I'd ever need them. I don't really plan on rock crawling.

If you are not going to use them as sliders than the armor is not needed.

I have the gen 2 version with the armor and have plenty of scratched paint on them from the trails. I actually prefer the straight rear portion of the gen 2 slider. That rear section is where I have the most scratches from using them to pivot the truck around obstacles and sticking out farther has less tendency to catch the rear tire.

 

[Sduncan]

They have been perfect so far and I expect them to be that way for a long time. I’ll say that this is some of the best money I’ve spent on the JT. I have zero complaints and do not expect to.

 

[Sduncan]

Did you get the added plating that shrouds it? Or did you just leave as-is?
Debating if I'd ever need them. I don't really plan on rock crawling.

No.. I did not get the additional plating. I have no plans to run this rig through the rocks.

 

[CFLgladiator]

Looks great!!
Thanks for posting the tips.

Any feedback after about a month now?
Im interested in the rear seat entry using them as they look a little short….

I have one of the first sets of gen 3 as well, so they've been on a while. My 8 year old daughter loves them and has no problem with the rear door entry/exit using these. I believe the gen 3 made the back portion of the step longer specifically for that.
As for me these have been flawless and work amazing as steps. Haven't had a chance to drag them against some rocks yet. I didn't choose the extra armor, didn't want the weight. When I have to hammer out the first big dent out of them I'll add the extra weight then.

 

[XraytecH]

Installed my Gen 3s this past January and had an issue with the driver side motor. RSE was quick with sending out a new motor and the swap was easy.

I also agree that the Body Bolts are the hardest part of the install. DO NOT use an impact gun. Torch the bolt heads for a good minute or two then slowly go back and forth with a breaker bar.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-do-to-your-gladiator-today.23705/post-870376

 

[CDNGladiator]

Had the Gen 2 on my JL and loved them. Great customer service as well. Also able to use the system with mopar tube doors (likely others). just bought extra magnets. I did a lot of research versus AMP and these are way superior.

 

[hjdca]

Did you get the added plating that shrouds it? Or did you just leave as-is?
Debating if I'd ever need them. I don't really plan on rock crawling.

Note: If you go over a big rock, and it comes down hard on the RSE steps, they will dent. With the Armor, they will not dent.... If you come down super hard on a rock, even the RSE with armor can dent a little, but, not much. With the armor, if you position the steps against a rock to swing the back end around, they will not dent. I have armor on my RSE steps, and I have beat them up pretty good. I did get some rubbing from a small dent when the steps operate, and I had to grind one step a little. When you scratch them up, you can use AEV textured black touch up paint, which matches perfectly. I have painted my RSE armor many times, and the steps look brand new. Definitely, a worthwhile investment for the ease of entry and 4wheeling.

 

[bnodine18]

Hey I just did my sliders and I would highly recommend the bolt heater on Amazon I heated the front two bolts 5 times until they glowed red and the bolts came right out, they might of been the resistance equivalent of 40 ft lbs they were super easy to come I would highly recommend. You can here the lock title bond break it was definitely worth the 180 bucks to not have to to deal with a broken body mount…

 

[Mbryson]

I just added my steps/sliders last Sat. They are awesome

 

[Lunentucker]

 

[Bluesky4x4]

My rear bolts are not wanting to budge. I just want to confirm the body bolts are 18mm? There is just enough wiggle to make me think otherwise, but SAE and 17mm don't fit. To @Linnentucker's point, I bought a 24in breaker bar and new socket, it still feels like if I give it everything, I'm going to round off the head of the bolt. This is a 2021 that goes to the grocery store .

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Speaking of these steps - I'm strongly considering these for my Overland. However, I don't want to give up the protection the stock running boards give to the truck (rock chips, salt, sand, mud, etc.) and the fact that they are a wide platform to STAND on when washing, cleaning the glass, and getting in and out. The stock running boards are wide enough to stand on easily, and not slip. And they are as wide as the splash guards up front.
So, looking for some measurements on these RSE steps -
Anyone willing to measure from the pinch weld to the outside of the RSE steps (when closed as if driving)?
since the body on these trucks has a curve to it at the pinch weld, looking for measurement from pinch weld out under the center of the front doors and center of the rear doors.
For example, from pinch weld to the outer edge of the stock Overland running boards is 7 3/4" when measured half-way back under the front doors.

It will vary depending on where you measure - how far back on the truck you measure.

Just as wide, stick out as far as the front splash guards -

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