Factory side steps - yay or nay?

[DrTron]

All,

Clicking through the configuration options of a PW, I came across the topic of side steps. I don't have any (and don't really need any) on my 1500, but as the PW is quite a bit higher, they seem to make sense to have (but not to spend a huge amount of money on).
As I would not use the PW for offroading (at least not rock crawling), they would not need to be protective sliders (such as White Knuckle). I wouldn't go with retractable steps, either. I guess all I'd need are some nice looking steps a few inches below the door sill.

Are the factory steps ok for the money? I googled a bit and found a plethora of available steps, some of which even look a lot better than "steel tubes haphazardly bolted to braces on the side". Mostly around the price tag the factory ones have.

So if you don't have rock sliders on your truck, what else do you have?

Thanks!

 

[Corvette427]

Nay. Rocksliders.

Purpose built and you can jack the truck up on them.

 

[Corvette427]

White Knuckle

 

[BowerPower]

Nay. Rocksliders.

Purpose built and you can jack the truck up on them.

I agree. I don't plan to do anything crazy where I would need rock sliders but the quality an reliability is hard to beat. When I have the spare cash, I will be getting some cust ordered with bigger spots to double as step.

I have put on factory steps on rams before. They aren't bad but all those steps, nerves bars, etc... bolt to the back side of the rocker panel, enough for 400-500lb no jumping though. I have the factory rock sliders and even those bolt to the rocker panel. White knuckle sliders bolt to frame, very study and no worry.

 

[DrTron]

I agree. I don't plan to do anything crazy where I would need rock sliders but the quality an reliability is hard to beat. When I have the spare cash, I will be getting some cust ordered with bigger spots to double as step.

I have put on factory steps on rams before. They aren't bad but all those steps, nerves bars, etc... bolt to the back side of the rocker panel, enough for 400-500lb no jumping though. I have the factory rock sliders and even those bolt to the rocker panel. White knuckle sliders bolt to frame, very study and no worry.

Agreed, I don't think there's any doubt about the ruggedness of true rock sliders. But they might be a bit over the top for my use case, and the negatives I see about them are:
- weigh a ton (White Knuckle are, what, 250 lbs. for both sides?). Would reduce payload even further
- not all that cheap (debatable, obviously)
- mount rather close to the frame to keep ground clearance, meaning they're not that much lower as the cabin floor, right? So to serve as a step, maybe not optimal?

Since I'm not a 300-lbs-guy, I'd say a 4-500 lbs load capacity is plenty for me.

 

[Grand Mesa]

35's with no steps or rock sliders. Get too much snow and mud around here which would pack up with crud underneath and rust.

Our freeway right now...

 

[WY-Dave]

I don't know how they did it, but the factory step saved me some body damage. This is from the 3ft pole that protects the gas pumps.

They stick out just enough to keep the pole off the body panels.


Lil light sanding and some BBQ paint and only it blends in that only I seem to notice

 

[4xdad]

Factory nay I live in Edmonton Alberta so to get wk sliders would cost a fortune in exchange and shipping so I built my own cost 700cad they heavy but very strong check my thread ( my homemade rock sliders)I know they look homemade but they are good steps and help keep a bit of grime off the truck

 

[thkbaron]

The factory steps are a great add on for the price if you are building a truck. I'm not sure how much they cost to toss on afterwards. 400 bucks for aluminum steps is a great deal. I'm not sure what I'd add if I was doing it aftermarket. Rock sliders are definitely beefy. I'd maybe go with amps. Not sure. I don't need rock sliders so they aren't on my radar.

 

[4xdad]

I look at rock sliders as insurance against body damage and a step for the missus and dogs

 

[Whiskey13]

Live in Florida so no worries with snow and ice, have factory side steps on my 19 PW and they look great and function as advertised. We don't have much rock crawling down this way so don't need anything that I need to suspend the truck on. For hunting and fishing off road adventures mine are more than capable.

 

[DrTron]

Live in Florida so no worries with snow and ice

Mississippi here, so not much of snow and ice worry, either.

 

[soapy]

I did not order mine with steps thinking I would add a power step or rock sliders after I bought the truck. It is a big step up into the truck without anything to leverage with. I was hoping to find some rock sliders with removable steps. Only thing I have found is Nfab which makes some sliders with steps that can be unbolted when you need to. Hoping to find some other options for rock sliders though.

 

[Phillyrube]

I don't know how they did it, but the factory step saved me some body damage. This is from the 3ft pole that protects the gas pumps.
View attachment 491807
They stick out just enough to keep the pole off the body panels.
View attachment 491809

Lil light sanding and some BBQ paint and only it blends in that only I seem to notice
View attachment 491810

I have the factory rails on a 2008 Big Horn. Had a local fab shop mount it so it stands out 5" more, but less than the mirrors. Makes it easier for SWMBO to climb in and out, plus it deters parking lot door slammers judging by the dings be Ive seen on it.

 

[2003F350]

So I'm up here above the rust belt, and Michigan LOVES their salt (surprised the lakes aren't all saltwater by now).

I've had the factory steps since new and they are still holding up fine, 85,000 miles later. Daily driven regardless of the weather. No rust either...yet.

 

[DrTron]

I just got a good deal on the GoRhino D1 that arrived today. No salt in these parts, so I expect they'll hold. Hopefully the height of the "drop" is just right.

 

[DrTron]

This is how they look. Perfect height for the PW, I think.
Nothing you'd want to go rockcrawling with, though.