[XJae]

I'm debating between the Rocky Road rock rails and the step rails.

Any views as to which might offer greater rocker protection or would one think they are equal.

Just a personal preference?

I like the idea of the step, but want maximum protection.

I wish I put them on before my wife totalled a Geo Prism with the front passenger rocker/door/fender.

It's fixed now.

[joeldavid]

I think it would be a toss up, the step is going to keap rocks further from your jeep but the rail doesn't have as much leverage on it to bend it up into the sheetmetal. Truthfully you should get witchever you like best.

Joel

[XJae]

Thanks, that makes sense. I guess it depends on what they are saving you from. Either way they both seem to be the most indestructable.

Has anyone ever bent one of these?

[91XJLimited]

I don't remember where I saw these, but they were VERY popular, so I'm sure they are still in production. But anyways, they were rock rail looking, but were on one-way hinges, so that when you stepped on it, it went down, but it couldn't go further up.

[EricsXJ]

I have the step rail version. joeldavid is mostly correct in that the step rails will protect the side of the jeep more. I think this is important because not only are you coming down onto rocks, but often times you will be leaning in an off-camber situation and could easily lean into a rock from the side. The step rails will protect against that more than regular rock rails. Plus the steps are nice to have.

The rock rail might be stronger due to less leverage like joeldavid said, but they come guaranteed never to bend so you don't have to be afraid to use them.



The only thing I am unhappy about is the finish they had on them. Its not very thick and seems to be paint rather than powder coat. You might also check out Kevins Rock Rails. They are nice too and he ships them unfinished so you can paint them yourself. Sometimes that is the better way to do it.

If someone has a link to Kevins Rock Rails, please post it. I switched computers and don't have all my bookmarks handy just yet.

[dscrotty]

I have C4x4 square rock rails. I think they stick out a little further than rocky road's standard rails, but less than the step rails. But still plenty of protection.

If they stuck out any further than they do now, I'd have to step over them to get in and out. That would be especially annoying now with salt and sand all over them when I'm all prettied up for work.

Just something to think about. I'm sure with the step rails you have to make a concious effort to not touch them getting in and out.

Personally, I think C4x4's have a better mounting system also. They attach in the back to the leaf spring hanger, and in the front with a big L bracket that bolts to the side and bottom of the frame rail and also with the standard mounting to the pinch seam.

C4x4's




Rocky road's standard




Rocky road step rail

[joeldavid]

Here's a link to Kevins http://www.kevinsjeepparts.com/ .

I can't imagine bending either unless you did something really dumb (stranger things have hapened) I was just trying to come up with an argument for both the rails and the steps,I would trust both more than some other designs that don't mount to the pinch seam or that seem to be to thin.

I think that painting might be best. If you're going to drag them across rocks they are going to get thrashed and its pretty easy to whip out the rustoleum.

Joel

[EricsXJ]

Originally posted by dscrotty
If they stuck out any further than they do now, I'd have to step over them to get in and out. That would be especially annoying now with salt and sand all over them when I'm all prettied up for work.

Just something to think about. I'm sure with the step rails you have to make a concious effort to not touch them getting in and out.

Hehe, ya you are right I do find myself watching the pantleg when I've got nice work pants on. That is of course because you don't really use the step to get in and out of the jeep (usually). My son and wife do however. I just step over and in.

joeldavid, thanks for the link and of course I agree with you.

[XJae]

The c4x4 look really nice too. I like the sideways 45* cut.
1/4" thinner though.
Can you stand on it pretty good when reaching the roof?
There aren't really any good pics at the c4x4 site showing the mounting system, it sounds interesting, anyone have any pics?