Rock Rails: OEM, After Market, or Factory step?

SocalBonanza

Aug 03, 2025

Sun at 3:38 am

I have a 24 WT with the factory steps. The steps are a bolted on tube with 4 separate steps bolted on. They don't seem to be for sale any more on the Ford site. Perhaps that tells me all I need to know...

When they had them, the description said they were not designed for the full weight of the vehicle. And now that I have used them, I literally hate the steps.

So I am thinking of replacing the steps that came with the car. This leads to 3 questions for the brain trust here, if I may:

1. Am I being wasteful and the factory steps are probably good enough? After all, there are 1000 places one could spend $1000 on a Bronco. Why not let nature take its course and destroy these steps for me?

2. Would folks recommend the Ford rock rails? Ford currently has a 20% off deal for accessories, so the $770 factory rock rails are $150 cheaper. About half the price of most of the after market rock rails. And there are after market steps that can attach to the factory rock rails.

3. Is there an obvious winner in the rock rail competition? There are MANY rock rail options, all about $1000. (Rock Sliders automatic ones are twice that, and way more than I want to spend...)

Thank you for any thoughts or insights!!!

Deano Bronc

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Sun at 12:47 pm

I have the factory rock rails and have used them several times, so far they have worked for me. I don’t have the steps they get in the way of getting in and out and are too high if I try to use them then I have to fall into the bronco from the step. My wife and I are not tall I’m 5-9 she is 5-7 and have no problem getting in and out without steps. My Brother is a bit shorter than me and he had a Basesquatch with 37” and he added steps and he said it felt like getting in and out of his corvette (which he sold because it was too low) using the steps, he developed a pain in his hip from this and sold the Bronco after only 4 months. The broncos roof is too low and he would have to duck way down to get in. Now the drop down rock slider steps my be better since they hang down farther but those a pricey and I have talked to several folks that have had one or both fail on them. This is only one guy’s opinion I am sure a dozen or more will chime in that love their steps. I’ve never been a steps guy not even on either of my F250 although I did have them on my 84 bronco but never used them.

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

Deano Bronc, raqball

Sun at 1:07 pm

I recently replaced my Rough Country ~~Frame~~ Body Mounted Rock Rails / Sliders that have a side step ability with some DV8 rock sliders because I had a trip planned that might have entailed more hardcore rock bashing and I did not want the side steps protruding out.

I can say the Rough Country rock rails were great and they offer something to step on..

RC sliders for the 4dr: ($470)

https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-bronco-rock-sliders-90803

RC sliders for the 2dr: ($299 on sale)

Amazon Link - On sale for $299

Here is a photo of them on my 2dr Bronco

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

SocalBonanza, Deano Bronc

Sun at 2:29 pm

I'm using the Ford factor rock sliders with a bolt on step from Extreme Terrain - RedRock Bronco Stubby Side Step Bars; Black FB25543 (21-25 Bronco w/ Factory Rock Rails)

I agree with Jacob, I don't really use the steps, they are there for the shorter passengers and to get up on the side of the Bronco while washing and taking off the tops. The steps are removable with just two bolts so if I'm out wheeling, I can take them off if need be.

One other benefit is in parking lots. The side steps stick out enough that I only have to worry about the lifted trucks hitting the side of my Bronco.

SocalBonanza, Deano Bronc

Sun at 8:31 pm

https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-power-step-xl/
These work great. They are designed to be stronger than the OEM rock rails, too. The step retracts behind a steel frame that becomes your new rock rail. We love them.

SocalBonanza

Yesterday at 2:48 am

vjtbelo
https://realtruck.com/p/amp-research-power-step-xl/
These work great. They are designed to be stronger than the OEM rock rails, too. The step retracts behind a steel frame that becomes your new rock rail. We love them.

Those look wonderful. But they are twice what I want to pay for rock rails. Sadly...

Yesterday at 12:14 pm

SocalBonanza
Those look wonderful. But they are twice what I want to pay for rock rails. Sadly...

I wonder if those would still function as a side step if they took any significant damage from a rock hit..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

Yesterday at 1:03 pm

raqball
I recently replaced my Rough Country Frame Mounted Rock Rails / Sliders that have a side step ability with some DV8 rock sliders because I had a trip planned that might have entailed more hardcore rock bashing and I did not want the side steps protruding out.

I can say the Rough Country rock rails were great and they offer something to step on..

RC sliders for the 4dr: ($470)

https://www.roughcountry.com/product/ford-bronco-rock-sliders-90803

RC sliders for the 2dr: ($299 on sale)

Amazon Link - On sale for $299

Here is a photo of them on my 2dr Bronco

RC's look nice, but they aren't "frame mounted". They are mounted the same as Ford OEM rock rails. That is, to existing holes in the pinch welds under the rocker panels.

"There's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a Bronco" - John Bronco

Yesterday at 1:20 pm

RNC
RC's look nice, but they aren't "frame mounted". They are mounted the same as Ford OEM rock rails. That is, to existing holes in the pinch welds under the rocker panels.

They are frame mounted (I think, maybe ???).. I just took them off a few weeks ago when I replaced them with the DV8's..

On the 2dr, I think there were 2 frame mounting points and there are also the pinch weld points you speak about..

I've perhaps confused myself. When I first installed them, I kept referring to them as body mounted but after taking them off a few weeks ago, I changed my thoughts on them to being frame mounted for some reason.

I dunno but I could swear there were 2 frame mounting points. Now I gotta go hit my storage and look at them again.. LOL

You are probably right and I am a doofus who has confused himself! 😂

Edit to add: I found an old photo of them before they were installed and you are correct. They are body mounted. Please refer to my ---> 'I am a doofus' remark above..

onX Trail Guide & Tread Lightly Member
2023 Badlands 2 door in Hot Pepper Red 🌶️ 🌶️

SocalBonanza, Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 2:34 pm

I bought factory rock rails on Facebook Marketplace for $75 and got the sasquatch steps from mountains to metal. very happy with it!

SocalBonanza

Yesterday at 5:36 pm

#10

I would highly suggest the Rockhard sliders made in the USA and top quality frame mounted. I had them on my jeep and will be putting them on my Bronco I just traded my jeep for the Bronco. They saved me many times on my jeep and took very little blood to install. https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-60104.htm

Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 6:36 pm

#11

I started with a 23 Big Bend and nothing. Wife said if I was buying that thing I needed to add steps. It was early 23 and still not a whole let of options. So I bought some side steps for the 4 door. One step on each side. Worked but I didn't like it. So early this year I found the stock Ford rails for sale at a good price. However, I forgot one detail. The mounting hardware was not included. So for a few bucks more I ordered the stock mounting hardware. Then I order four single steps that easy bolt on so they can be easily stolen or removed for a little more serious outing. But if I was ever contemplating a serious out I would want beefier frame mounted rails, right? LOL. It fits my needs and it placates the demands of the wife for entry/exit to the vehicle.

Bob N - Capt., USAF-Retired
2023 Bronco Big Bend, 1942 Ford GPW (jeep)

Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 7:03 pm

#12

I put the ford rock rails on my wildtrak (similar deal- points, discount etc.), and they have been fine. I haven't really put a ton of weight on them, but I think they are probably as good as most of the other body mounted rock rails are. They are pretty tucked in, and do a good job covering the pinch weld seam, but If was doing a bunch of rock crawling where I was on the rock rails a lot, I would probably want some frame mounted option. On the whole though, I have been pleased with them.

My spouse's bronco (yes, we are a two truck family) has one of the after market clip-on steps on the ford rock rails. I am not a fan. She likes them because it make them easy for the kiddos to climb in (its a two door), but I hit my leg on them every time I get out of the truck. If it were my truck, I would yank them right off.

For me, I like having a minimal amount of stuff on the side of the truck. I like the simple design from the ford rock rails, and I have no problem getting in and out of the truck without a step, so win win. Before I bought a set from mama ford though, I might see if I could find some second hand. They show up relatively frequently, and you might could score a pretty good deal.

2023 Wildtrak. "Sometimes you got to get lost, to get found" -J Bronco

Deano Bronc

Yesterday at 9:32 pm

#13

raqball
I wonder if those would still function as a side step if they took any significant damage from a rock hit..

The AMPs will die if hit with a rock but there is a brand like them that are actual sliders(not sure of the name but not cheap). The AMPs were on my jeep when I bought it great for mal crawling but not for rock crawling.

raqball

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