Custom built XJ side steps

[CLHart426]

Since it sounds like most ya'll know what your doing on these jeeps, i got another ? for you. Anyone ever make side steps for it that look good,but are cheap? Pictures would be nice, but anything would help.

OR--would it be gay to put them on an XJ .. jw

[1990JEEPXJ]

you could make rock sliders that double as side steps. might stick out far but im sure it can be done to play both roles and look good.

[mecompco]

"Steps" or running boards are OK for street Jeeps, but will be destroyed in short order off-road. Rock rails or "sliders", OTOH, are to be recommended as they serve a number of purposes (door/rocker protection, jack point, etc.) and can, if extended a bit (like mine in the pic) be used as a step:



Rock rails mount to the unibody and pinch seam in numerous places to spread out the stress of impact. They weigh about 80 pounds and can be obtained from a number of fabricators/retailers or you can make your own.

[red_01_xj]

here is mine...i had the rockers cut out and these welded in

[XJ_jeepin_06]

Here is mine... I based them on side steps but I use them for rock sliders...





Kevin

[CLHart426]

your guys' jeeps are by far more BA than mine. but i dont treat my jeep like a street rod, i like to play around. so ill have to c how i can come up with some way to attach them to the unibody

[Jason, aka: Jeepin.com]

Most rails mount to the frame rails using some self-threading bolts. Then they also tie into the pinch seam that runs along the underside of the rocker panel.

[HeepToJeep]

I've seen a 'stirrup' design that could be duplicated and used on an XJ, basically just use a piece of heavy nylon strap and run it through a short section of gray PVC pipe then bolt each end to the inside of the lower door jamb......you open the door, flip down the stirrup, climb in and flip the stirrup back into the Jeep so it wont get caught on anything while wheeling.

Wm

[LagartoJuancho]

Hey Jason, everybody.

When you installed those steps/rock slides, did you drill all the way through on the part where the big bolts are or you just made a single hole at the side?
(I wish my "car" english was in better shape so i could ask with more precision, sorry for that)

I was toying around with the idea of installing steps/slides on my '96 XJ.

[mecompco]

We drilled through the unibody "frame" and welded in pieces of steel tubing (crush sleeves) that the main bolts go through. The smaller bolts go through holes drilled directly into the pinch seam.