Rock Rails/Sliders with Steps

RSE sliders with electric steps for sure…. Too many bumpers for me to advise. Welcome and hope you enjoy the great choice of vehicle!

🐎

I have a 2021 2 door Badlands with RSE step sliders installed on it. I love them, straight forward installation, great looks & very high quality product. RSE is one of the best companies you’ll ever deal with & they stand behind their products. Highly recommend their products!

Welcome to the Nation! If price point is one of the primary considerations and keeping the factory rock slider is an option, you may also want to check out steps that can be attached to the sliders like this. I think there’re some to be found in Amazon…

As someone who also needs steps, I am also looking at options for when I install sliders on my WT.

Chief Ron

RSE sliders with electric steps for sure…. Too many bumpers for me to advise. Welcome and hope you enjoy the great choice of vehicle!

🐎

Plus one for RSE. Quality product. You get what you pay for…

UserError

Welcome to the Nation! If price point is one of the primary considerations and keeping the factory rock slider is an option, you may also want to check out steps that can be attached to the sliders like this. I think there’re some to be found in Amazon…

As someone who also needs steps, I am also looking at options for when I install sliders on my WT.

Trouble loading the link. Are these just mounted on existing rails?

MDEllisor

Trouble loading the link. Are these just mounted on existing rails?

Yes, these mount to the OEM sliders. This might work:https://mountains2metal.com/BR6SS-SK/

MDEllisor

Apologies if there are threads asking this question, but I'm new around here and I didn't see a Search function.

We recently purchased a 2-Door 2022 Badlands with the Sas package and, to be perfectly honest, it's a bit high and difficult for people to climb in. I'm looking for quality Rock Rails with a step to make that climb a little easier and still offer the same protection as the factory rails that came with it. I've been leaning toward Rough Country but I'm not completely sold.

I would also like to replace the front and rear bumpers in the future and would want to stay uniform, although I'm not truly known for brand loyalty over financial frugality.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated!

In regards to the search function try using the magnifying glass at the top of the tool bar. Also I would recommend clicking on the three lines at the top and navigate through the various categories. I find that using the forums tab and scrolling down will give you the most subcategories to look at.

MDEllisor

Trouble loading the link. Are these just mounted on existing rails?

Here is another option if you want the full length step - https://archetyperacing.com/products/ar-magnum-stirrup

There are quite a few other suppliers that do both the full step or the single step that bolt on to the existing rock rail. They are great if you want to ever go off-roading as you can just unbolt them and then you have the original rock rail.
I will say that the Archetype Racing is the top of the line, but there are a lot of less expensive options out there.
I know some on the boards have these. https://iagoffroad.com/iag-parts/exterior/running-boards-steps/

MDEllisor

Trouble loading the link. Are these just mounted on existing rails?

I was able to open the link on my laptop.

Do search, when possible. There are usually other threads and posts on the matter, and there's no problem in resurrecting an old thread if you need a more refined answer.

I have the iAG removable steps, the full-length ones. They work for me in that nobody in my family who needs steps is likely to go off-roading.Having done it a few times, I can remove and reinstall them in 5-10 minutes. iAG makes good stuff, doesn't outsource their production (much), and their customer service will stand by their merchandise.

Speaking of frugality, my brother-in-thrift, this is an expensive hobby. Choose your accessories carefully, it's easy to get carried away. How much do "looks" matter, as opposed to utility and performance? And remember, in this, as always: cheap is expensive, especially in trail and recovery accessories.

Educate yourself on winches before you commit to a new bumper. Here's where you want to buy (and pay) more than you think you need to.

Check out "Sponsors Marketplace" and "Members Marketplace" on bronco6g.com, where you might find good deals on the things you need. For example, I sold my old modular bumper there.

I too have the full length IAG rails. Good product

I have IAG


They are showing some small rust spots. I am in the salt belt.

I haven’t contacted them about it yet. I have heard that their CS is excellent.

They’re the best solution I’ve seen.

If you are wanting to use the rock sliders as sliders, steps that attach might not be great unless they are easily detachable. If off-roading, you would want them off or they will get ripped off.

I just installed LOD Signature Series and love them, but they were quite a task to install. I was weighing these vs the RCI. Each is a strong, frame mounted rail that is stronger than the factory ones and also works as a step.

As far as matching, I personally think that “non-matching” brands doesn’t make that much difference. If they are powder coated, it’s hard to tell that they aren’t the same brand unless they have a huge logo. You would really have to look at mine to notice that it has a JCR front bumper, LOD sliders, and an ExpeditonOne rear bumper. From a distance, it isn’t really noticeable. I don’t think it matters, but that’s just me. To each their own.

Hope you find something you really enjoy.

NiceBronco

I have IAG


They are showing some small rust spots. I am in the salt belt.

I haven’t contacted them about it yet. I have heard that their CS is excellent.

They’re the best solution I’ve seen.

A couple of years ago, there was a bunch of posts (maybe on the 6G Forum?) about iAG and rust. They were very proactive in responding to the reports, and explained that the new product had been powdercoated by a subcontractor, and they were not satisfied with that party's work. So they set up their own powdercoating, in-house, with stricter control, and replaced that early production. So that seemed to solve the problem to everybody's satisfaction.

My experience:
I had a set of the old production, but took them on what I thought was a "Subaru-grade" trail. I was wrong, and dragged my full-length steps over a few rocks. Sure enough, they started to rust, but I figured the damage was "on me," and sucked it up. However, I found that the threaded sleeves (or whatever you call them) that the screws went into were getting loose: I could neither tighten nor loosen/withdraw the screws. They just spun free--I probably over-torqued them.

So I called iAG, to ask for some advice, something stronger than Loktite Red. The lady looked up my order and said, "You're steps are still under warranty."

Three days later, a new set was on my porch! Now that's service!

An installation hint: get a hex (allan) wrench to fit a 1/4-inch ratchet drive, and you can really speed up your removal or install. I can remove or attach mine in about 5 minutes. Just don't over-torque them!

MDEllisor

Apologies if there are threads asking this question, but I'm new around here and I didn't see a Search function.

We recently purchased a 2-Door 2022 Badlands with the Sas package and, to be perfectly honest, it's a bit high and difficult for people to climb in. I'm looking for quality Rock Rails with a step to make that climb a little easier and still offer the same protection as the factory rails that came with it. I've been leaning toward Rough Country but I'm not completely sold.

I would also like to replace the front and rear bumpers in the future and would want to stay uniform, although I'm not truly known for brand loyalty over financial frugality.

Any and all recommendations are appreciated!

Another vote for the RSE step sliders. Keep in mind that most anything else that mounts to the rocker pinch weld area is still a pretty high step up to get into the vehicle. Nothing places a step as low to the ground as the RSE sliders that I know of. This also actually gives you two steps into the vehicle as the sliders themselves are wide and flat enough to use as a 2nd step.

Rydfree

Another vote for the RSE step sliders. Keep in mind that most anything else that mounts to the rocker pinch weld area is still a pretty high step up to get into the vehicle. Nothing places a step as low to the ground as the RSE sliders that I know of. This also actually gives you two steps into the vehicle as the sliders themselves are wide and flat enough to use as a 2nd step.

They look nice, but strike me as not only pricey, but a bit gimmicky. My concern is that you have two more motors, plus switching and power lines. Fancy options on a high-end car are nice, but they complicate the vehicle's "old age." Run these in a wet or high-road-salt environment, and you have an earlier decay and breakdown point.
@MDEllisor, consider your expected use, and use beyond that. Are you thinking daily drive, plus some excursions to national parks? Is there a bit of wanderlust that might take you to aggressive backroads, trails, rock crawling? You did buy a Squatch, right? (I started with a Badlands/conventional order, ended up with a Badlands/Squatch.)

I'd say your four levels of option are:
1) a seriously installed, rugged step/slider for offroading and rockcrawling. Downsides: they're heavy, and the step won't be very low.
2) a removable step (or set of ovals) that you can remove and bolt back on, for those occasions you plan to attack a serious trail. iAG isn't the only setup, but I have and endorse them. Good as a temporary solution until you know just what you'll be using your Sasquatch for.
3) a permanent step or running-board setup. No protection, and you forgo serious trails unless you have it removed.
4) The rockslider as described above. You can always replace it in a few years if the mechanics fail.

Regarding bumpers: think through what you'll be wanting in trail lights and maybe a winch. I replaced my OEM modular bumper with the Four-by-Four bumper with hidden winch. It sits lower, and I liked that there was no reduced airflow through the grill and it didn't interfere with the front camera and sensors. Take your time, visit install shops, educate yourself. You want to consider camera, sensors (parking and radar), and the lights you're likely to want.

Last thought on lights: check out the vendors in this site's store. Select a light manufacturer and stay with them. I started with Rigid (nice, loyal customer base) but finished my outfitting with Heretic, which I like better.

Edit: Here's a thread on a GOAT rock/slider on the other site. Note it doesn't offer much drop for the step. So it goes.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...slider-steps-installed-photos-feedback.70096/
Speaking of which use the search mechanism and vendors' sites on both sites, poke around the various threads. There's lots of info and opinions already out there.

I have had the RSE for over a year on my 23 Badlands 2 door. They are flawless. My wife and I are shorter and older ugh… we couldn’t get in without the step. Add the Bartact pull strap above the window and so easy. I have rock crawled with them and they have gotten hits and no issues. They are on the more expensive side, but well worth it. Congrats and welcome.

Just to be clear, for the RSE product, make sure you get the optional step slider skid plate (another $600). https://rockslideengineering.com/product/bronco-4-door-step-slider-skid-plate/ if you plan do do anything serious, I would recommend that for the RSEs.

"Rock Slide Engineering has designed 3/16” steel Skid plates to protect the side and bottom your 3rd Gen Step Sliders. Sliders are designed to take a hit, but if you love more aggressive trails: Skid Plates are necessary. Made to fit the Step Sliders like a phone case and screws into the existing step slider with the same brackets. A cutout for the actual step will allow your steps to continue functioning. We use a state-of-the-art automated powder coat system to acid etch the raw base material in preparation for the textured black topcoat."

JoergH

Just to be clear, for the RSE product, make sure you get the optional step slider skid plate (another $600). https://rockslideengineering.com/product/bronco-4-door-step-slider-skid-plate/ if you plan do do anything serious, I would recommend that for the RSEs.

"Rock Slide Engineering has designed 3/16” steel Skid plates to protect the side and bottom your 3rd Gen Step Sliders. Sliders are designed to take a hit, but if you love more aggressive trails: Skid Plates are necessary. Made to fit the Step Sliders like a phone case and screws into the existing step slider with the same brackets. A cutout for the actual step will allow your steps to continue functioning. We use a state-of-the-art automated powder coat system to acid etch the raw base material in preparation for the textured black topcoat."

Impressive. Good to know. I just might go with them if I get a financial windfall.