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many variables here.
If you rig has been extensively wheeled, you may aleady have damage and thus need to tweet the body some to fit. my rockers had dents and required some pulling and hammering.. if you plan on or have frame stiffeners, you need the rock rails with short legs. of importance is full length pinch seam clamping along the rock rail, I welded extra pinch seam supports on my rails to get full length contact, with extra bolts. i can lift the jeep from rock rail with no movement of rail to jeep, without those modifications the rail can move relative to jeep.
my rail came with two legs, I welded on two more to give four legs per rail.
if you want a true functional rail for rock bashing protection, you should do as I. if it is simply for bling or a step, then it dont matter much.
my rail I bought from craigslist, dont know who manufactured it, it required beefing up.
for strength...full length pinch seam connection, with plates on inside to sandwhich the seam full length is best, use many bolts along the length. 3 legs are better than two, and four better than three.
i recommend frame stiffeners if had wheeling, so plan for that as that will influence the leg length required
Thanks for the response so far, I should have given more info. My jeep is a daily driver, about a 3.5-4" lift in pretty good shape. Mostly want them for use to get into vehicle/looks and some protection from side impact. I do not off road the vehicle.
Just reading reviews of different 3" round bars with step pads most have negative reviews like rusting issues, step pads coming off ect. So just wondering anyones experience with them and which are better options. I usually weld them to the frame, bolting them on seems flimsy and would still allow flex and movement. Picture of jeep for reference
Thing is with rails that stick out, they get dirty and or wet. thus when you enter or exit the truck, you may end up brushing you legs on the rail as they stick out, then you leg or pants if you wear pants will get wet and or dirty from contact with the rail. This issue manifests itself more on a lifted rig than a low rig as the higher the reach down for your leg from the seated position to ground, the more vertical and hence closer the the rail you leg must be for your foot to get to the ground.
Keep that in mind. You can test this by perhaps taping some material like rolled up cardboard on the rocker under the door, sticking out as the rail will, then lractice getting in and out and then determine if your leg will be a problem rubbing on a rail which maybe wet or dirty. usually steps are lower and more inset (dont stick out much) verses true rock rails so steps are not so much a dirt on leg problem. (steps mou ted low and inward, will redcue ground clearance, and offer little prltection to the side of your truck) Rockrails on the otherhand stick out further (perhaps 6 or 8 inches or so from rocker) and are mounted higher ( just low enough to clear the door by a bit) thus rails are more likely to rub your leg than steps.
Your fairer sex significant other may not like getting her fancy dress or pants dirty or wet when entering or exiting your rig. youve been warned!
Thing is with rails that stick out, they get dirty and or wet. thus when you enter or exit the truck, you may end up brushing you legs on the rail as they stick out, then you leg or pants if you wear pants will get wet and or dirty from contact with the rail. This issue manifests itself more on a lifted rig than a low rig as the higher the reach down for your leg from the seated position to ground, the more vertical and hence closer the the rail you leg must be for your foot to get to the ground.
Keep that in mind. You can test this by perhaps taping some material like rolled up cardboard on the rocker under the door, sticking out as the rail will, then lractice getting in and out and then determine if your leg will be a problem rubbing on a rail which maybe wet or dirty. usually steps are lower and more inset (dont stick out much) verses true rock rails so steps are not so much a dirt on leg problem. (steps mou ted low and inward, will redcue ground clearance, and offer little prltection to the side of your truck) Rockrails on the otherhand stick out further (perhaps 6 or 8 inches or so from rocker) and are mounted higher ( just low enough to clear the door by a bit) thus rails are more likely to rub your leg than steps.
Your fairer sex significant other may not like getting her fancy dress or pants dirty or wet when entering or exiting your rig. youve been warned!
Very much what I had in mind. I'm about 5' 10" & when getting out of my XJ with a (notional) 2" lift on 31's, I have to make a conscious effort to plant my right foot (it's RHD, don't forget) sufficiently beyond the rockers not to catch the back of my calves on them; like I said, leg length is a factor.
I have had typical 3" round on one of my past XJ's and they worked well for me, just as I mentioned a lot of the reviews are not that good. I may have to either make a set of newer wrangler side boards that I have fit my vehicle, they are too long so I believe I would have to cut like 8 inches off then figure how to cap the ends after cutting (they are Plastic) and fabricate mounts, or just make a set, I have access to metal and welders at work. Mostly wanted them for stepping into vehicle for the short people in my life and figured instead of just a step could do something full length. Thans for the replies
