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Quality JKU side steps?

23K views 40 replies 25 participants last post by  nomad10th 
#1 ·
Hey folks,

Any recommendations on side steps for a 2017 JKU Sport S? The wife is having shorty problems. Would want the steps in black. Also, are they generally pretty easy to install, or better to have done?

Thanks!
 
#2 ·
I have the Rock slide Engeneering step sliders. Not cheep but they are a solid rock slider when closed. When you open a door the step portion motors out and you have a step for both the front and back to get in. I've also installed the light kit that illuminates the step when the door is opened. Short wife and 4 in lift mandated them. She loves them.
 

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#3 ·
I bought take off rubicon hard rock (mopar enhanced rubicon rails) for $300.
They were brand new,
They bolt directly where rubicon rails go, and use the same hardware.
No holes to drill, super easy install of less than an hour at the very most.
My 5'0 wife uses them, my 5 year old uses them, and I use them.
OEM quality for less money than a crap brand like smittybilt or whatever.
They are always for sale and street price is around $300.
Craigslist and the forum classifieds are your friend.
If you buy, make sure to get all the hardware.
If you are uncomfortable installing them, ask the person you bought them from to lend a hand.
 
#5 ·
I went with factory Sahara takeoff sidesteps on my Rubicon from Craigslist for $100.

I like that they follow the lines of the fenders, and also protect the side of the Jeep from flying debris.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
I also put the Sahara running boards on my 2010 Sport JKU. Just typed "2017 Jeep wrangler jku running board side step nerf bars black OE" on eBay and found for less than $200. For some reason the ones I bought I had to relocate one hole in the aft attach bracket but looks same as stock. Makes a good step. If you lift or need protection from rocks this may not be route to take but I like the flow with the stock fenders. Red body with black fenders with black step.
 
#22 ·
Can't go wrong with the RedRock 4x4 Side Armor steps! Especially at that price.

I would also recommend taking a look at the Barricade Extreme HD Rocker Steps if you're looking for a sturdier step with a little more stepping area.

The RedRock 4x4 Steps affix by mounting to the body in three locations whereas the Barricade Steps mount directly to the three body mounts. Both are very great products and are reasonably priced.

Let me know if you have any questions!

-Jake
 
#14 ·
Not to start a war, but the Smittybilt SRC are not quality...I know, I have them. If you do any off roading at all, they will not hold up. I have nice little dents in my pinch seams from where they flexed up.

They are a decent step and will protect you from door dings in the mall parking lot and look cool, but for not much more money you can get something better...

Only purchase I really regret on my Jeep. I was a newb and realized later I could get something much better for less than $100 more.
 
#16 ·
#19 ·
typically rails that bolt directly to the fram will be stronger, however many manufacturers make them that bolt through the body mounts(I think this is what you are referring to. Many that do that can be very strong as well.

The strongest would probably be the weld on ones, but not an option for many folks.

There are many degrees of protection but the more protection, typically the more $$$.
 
#23 ·
#26 ·
I wish people would stop buying shittybuilt products. Check out VKS Fab Prerunner sliders bolt or weld on. Poison Spyder has some and LOD has some step sliders. All of these are American made and much higher quality than that cheap Chinese crap so many people continue to put on their Jeeps.
 
#27 ·
Before you step down off your soap box, do you have any suggestions that help the OP? He's looking for side steps, not rock sliders. Something to help is wife get into and out of the jeep. With little kids, I would be looking for the same thing. I don't see anything from PS or VKS that fit the bill.
 
#30 ·
Look at the newb acting all douche-like.

The OP has a sport, which AFAIK doesn't come with anything so I suppose anything is better than nothing. But none of those are that much lower. Maybe something OEM will work, maybe not. He'll have to chime in.
I on the other hand already have factory side steps, but something lower for the kiddos would be nice.
Like those posted by Ryans JK above.
Some people use their jeep for real life, so try not to be too much of a jackass if possible, mmkay?
 
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#33 ·
I had the smitty steps last year. Great steps, bad sliders. I upgraded to VKS, and I have yet to use them as sliders this year, but as for steps, they suck. Yes, they have a step area, however, they are at nearly the same height as the sill. Smitty is fine if you aren't bashing it.
 
#36 ·
I have the N-Fab Nerf bars and love them. They look like the smittybuilt. Not sure as to which is better quality. They bolt in 6 places (3 underneath, frame?, 3 to side). Make getting in easier as they drop lower than factory side steps. I put them on myself and it took a while but it's b/c I tried to follow the horrible (incorrect) instructions. Went on YouTube and someone was nice enough to post a vid. Do it yourself. No drilling req'd if put on correctly.
 
#40 ·
We put Hammerhead side steps on the wife's JKU - good tread, dimpled for better traction, and it's an actual step, not a rounded bar for your foot to slip off when it's wet/icey. But we also go out to the trails, so having pinch seam protection was a must. If you're just looking for a step up, Sahara take-offs as many have pointed out, or even the tube steps that come on Sport / Sport-S models are sufficient, cheap, and plentiful. I've got a set that came off the wife's JKU sitting in my attic ready for demod at trade-in time, but they're chrome... so much chrome.

O_E
 
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