Running board or mud flaps (for sand protection)?

[Alan SOBX]

My Jeep gets a lot of sand sprayed up on the doors when I drive on the beach or on wet streets. While it looks cool now, I foresee a problem. I will soon have a garage for my Jeep and will likely take the doors off for good which means all that sand will come in the cab. My wife can get in the Jeep OK (she is 5’8") but would kinda like me to get a step. In your opinion, am I better off getting a rail with a step paired with mud flaps OR should I get a running board type thing that covers both issues (the step being second in priority).

My Jeep gets upgrades on birthday, Christmas, and Father’s Day so planning ahead. Looking to combine functionality with curb appeal.

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[smlobx]

I think it’s somewhat of a personal preference but I ended up getting mud flaps because they do a better job of protecting the truck. As for a step for you wife I ended up getting one of these to install on her side and it works great.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/more-jeep-gladiator-hide-a-step-black-jtstb.html

Where on the SOBX are you? I used to have a place in Hatteras for a long time. Here’s my Rubicon just after I got it at the Point!

 

[Alan SOBX]

I think it’s somewhat of a personal preference but I ended up getting mud flaps because they do a better job of protecting the truck. As for a step for you wife I ended up getting one of these to install on her side and it works great.

https://www.extremeterrain.com/more-jeep-gladiator-hide-a-step-black-jtstb.html

Where on the SOBX are you? I used to have a place in Hatteras for a long time. Here’s my Rubicon just after I got it at the Point!

I live on Emerald Isle. The picture in my profile was taken on South Core Banks north near the new inlet. The beach is open there year-round. Emerald Isle is open September 15 - April 30 which is the best time for fishing anyway. Oddly, the sand has proven deeper here than on the Outer Banks likely due to no major hurricanes since Dorian—lots of sand build-up around the dunes.

Thanks for the advice. I just installed a Rugged Ridge Armis Hard Folding Tonneau Cover that I bought off of Facebook Marketplace. My first major mod (I would call the install minor though—EZPZ) so my wife has gained confidence that I am not a complete idiot.

On a related note, I just spent two hours in the sound re-attaching the wooden stairs to my dock that washed loose with that last tropical storm. Used my Jeep recovery rope to lever it into place with her holding the ties while I was running bolts into the dock. Not a Jeep mod but used Jeep parts and a ton harder with chest high waves than the tonneau cover. I am hoping she green lights more mods after the last week!

 

[OffAxis2021]

I have RokBlokz mudguards, that remove quickly via thumbscrews. Line-X’d White Knuckle Offroad rock sliders with full top-plates. Eliminated all rock dings. I hear them hit either of the 2 mentioned. 10.5” wide tires on 0 offset wheels.

 

[Gvsukids]

My Jeep gets a lot of sand sprayed up on the doors when I drive on the beach or on wet streets. While it looks cool now, I foresee a problem. I will soon have a garage for my Jeep and will likely take the doors off for good which means all that sand will come in the cab. My wife can get in the Jeep OK (she is 5’8") but would kinda like me to get a step. In your opinion, am I better off getting a rail with a step paired with mud flaps OR should I get a running board type thing that covers both issues (the step being second in priority).

Overland side steps have been excellent for us in limiting debris from hitting the side of the Jeep, while making it easier for my 5'2" wife and her father to get in the Jeep.

 

[Mumbly]

Like others have said …personal preference. I have an overland and swapped the steps for a free set of Rubi rails …not a step fan. Threw some Rokblokz on the front and good to go.

 

[dmwphoto]

Overland side steps have been excellent for us in limiting debris from hitting the side of the Jeep, while making it easier for my 5'2" wife and her father to get in the Jeep.

I second this one. The Overland side steps do a superb job keeping the crap off of and out of the Gladiator. I run doors off a lot.

 

[dmwphoto]

As said personal preference but I love the Overland side steps. Especially with doors off

 

[DylanM]

IMO a combination of both mud flaps and running boards would likely work best. Running boards alone do help cut down on what's thrown up by the tires, but they still let a fair bit past.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Overland side steps have been excellent for us in limiting debris from hitting the side of the Jeep, while making it easier for my 5'2" wife and her father to get in the Jeep.

Those coupled with mud flaps/splash guards did excellent for me.
The problem was that the Overland steps/running boards were still a bit high for my wife to step up and get in. We tried them on her Rubicon and they helped, but just not enough.
Both of our Jeeps now have power steps and splash guards.
Even slush and other crud doesn't build up on the sides.
Without both, stuff still got tossed up and ran onto the running boards from between the fender flare and front end of the running board. The splash guards closed that gap.

No more of this -

 

[Readyt]

I have both. Rok Blokz and Rockslide Power steps. Really like both. Little pricy. But worth it

 

[Mad Mac]

I'm a sucker for anything Rubicon Red.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

Both rokblox and rock rails ?

 

[Alan SOBX]

A lot of great stuff in here (or, as my wife calls it, "Jeep Porn"). Looking like flaps and rails will be needed to avoid sandblasting the inside of my Jeep. Thank you for the thoughts and advice.

 

[RHINO79]

I would think a flap on the front should do what you need.

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