Any downsides to having step bars? PW don't come with 'em

[WhySoSerious]

When I get my Power Wagon I would like to add some step in bars or step in boards.

But I am wondering why the PW don't come with 'em. Is there some sort of reason I am not thinking about.........like are they bad for off roading?

 

[Stangshcky12]

Ground clearance
They can limit some obstacle angles

They typically don't Take getting smashed and bashed well either

 

[Hemi450hp]

They will hang down a few inches, so you might lose just a tad bit of clearance, but I would rather hit the steps than hit the cab. If you are serious about off roading, then I would look into a set of rock rails that have steps built in. These will take the abuse if you were to land on them without doing any damage to the cab.

 

[quietpeen]

^^^^
What they said

 

[MADDOG]

I agree. Ground clearance is the biggest issue. But all ya gotta do is raise the truck.

I find having them is pretty handy.

 

[Hemi450hp]

I am not a big fan of the look of steps, but I spend alot of time on the beach and it is nice to be able to step on the bars and clean your feet off before getting in the truck.

 

[BlackedOutHemi]

Looks like they gotcha covered! Haha. Basically, decide on how much off roading you'll be doing to decide if you want to get the steps.

 

[Catchin Zs]

X2 on the rock rails with steps

 

[reefguy89]

yea x3 on the rock sliders add(addictive desert design) makes a really nice set for are trucks.

 

[dogcar3]

yea x3 on the rock sliders add(addictive desert design) makes a really nice set for are trucks.

These are nice. Only thing I didn't like about them is that they mount to the pinch weld, not the frame. And for the price, I'm sure you could find a local weld shop to custom make you some.

 

[SirGeorgeKillian]

I have seen some large trucks run electric retractable steps. There when you need them, out of the way when you don't.

 

[Catchin Zs]

I don't think electric steps (AMP powerboards) would be too off road friendly. Well, I guess it depends what kind of off roading he's talking about.

 

[WhySoSerious]

These are nice. Only thing I didn't like about them is that they mount to the pinch weld, not the frame. And for the price, I'm sure you could find a local weld shop to custom make you some.

I took a look at some rock sliders pictures online. They look like they are there for protection.........are they hard to get a firm step on? They look hard to get your foot on.

 

[dogcar3]

I took a look at some rock sliders pictures online. They look like they are there for protection.........are they hard to get a firm step on? They look hard to get your foot on.

If you have a place custom fab you some, then you can have them design in a step that suits you. I don't want anything hanging down, so when mine are made, they will just be wide enough to step on.

This is kinda what I want, except it will have one continuous step, not three separate ones:
B.I.T. Products Rock Sliders and Step Bars

This guy is near me and I have already talked to him. Would be about $1k for him to make some for my '12 Wagon. I will probably end up just making my own.

 

[Texas Hemi]

As stated already, there are a couple ways to look at it:
If you have em they may give your body some protection, but they also reduce your clearance so you may be causing a clearance problem by adding them. I did some minor off-roading and here's what happened to me. I wanted to pull em off anyway because I don't like the look, this gave me a good excuse.

 

[Txhillbilly]

You'd have to do some hardcore off roading in mine to worry about the N-Fab step bars.
I've had it in some pretty nasty terrain at the deer lease,and haven't come close to dragging the steps off it.
But like others have said,I'd rather damage the step bar,than the body of the truck.

 

[Stangshcky12]

If you have a place custom fab you some, then you can have them design in a step that suits you. I don't want anything hanging down, so when mine are made, they will just be wide enough to step on.

This is kinda what I want, except it will have one continuous step, not three separate ones:
B.I.T. Products Rock Sliders and Step Bars

This guy is near me and I have already talked to him. Would be about $1k for him to make some for my '12 Wagon. I will probably end up just making my own.

It might be worth contacting white knuckle off road an see if their sliders could be modified for a 4th gen
The shipping cost would probably put you right around the $1000 range still

 

[shoff95]

Get you a set of Amp Power Steps. When they retract, you can't even see them because they tuck up against the bottom of the cab. Very little loss of ground clearence and it makes it much easier to get into the truck.

With that being said, if you are going to be tackling serious off road trails (crawling over boulders) you may notwant the Amp Steps. They aren't cheap and you can damage them pretty easily.

 

[SeaSickSailor]

I’d opt for the N-Fab rock rails with removable steps.

 

[turkeybird56]

As stated already, there are a couple ways to look at it:
If you have em they may give your body some protection, but they also reduce your clearance so you may be causing a clearance problem by adding them. I did some minor off-roading and here's what happened to me. I wanted to pull em off anyway because I don't like the look, this gave me a good excuse.

This above but there are pros and cons. I like them for truck access, I would have Off Road type if I was gonna do serious off roading or no bars at all. But U are talking Apples vs Oranges, Like stock with rail vs lifted, bigger tires, suspension, 2 different types of moving down the road, IMHO.....