Running Boards

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 9:06 am

Anyone know anything about Smittybuilt running boards? Not for protection or anything on the trails just curious if they tend to rust out or anything. Found a great price ($149 + $40 shipped) and I would like them but sometimes I see them on Jeeps and they are rusted out and have holes. I didnt know if this is from abuse or if they just dont hold up that well.

I'm looking at the 3" tubular Running Boards/Side Step Black Powder Coated Part #JN1400S4B if that helps

Thanks

kjrenegade · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:13 am

Don't know about the side steps, but my father in law has the small brush guard on the front of his ranger, and it seems to be holding up well (it is black powder coat).

I don't suppose your interested in a set of OE side steps from an '02 Renegade, are ya?

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 10:33 am

I might be.

What are the side steps exactly (the step bar or running boards), will they fit an 02 Limited (any drilling?), and how much shipped to Groton CT?

Sorry, kind of new to this, pics would help if you have them.

Thanks

kjrenegade · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 12:58 pm

I think the proper term is side steps... They are tubular silver bars, that are flat on top with a black plastic piece as a step. I've attached some links below.

I believe you do need to drill the holes for the brackets, and most people use "nutzerts", which are what they use for the factory to install them. From what I understand, you drill the hole, pop in the nutzert, and then when you tighten the bolt they lock in place. If you are interested, there may be some links (here or on JU) with info on installing them from others who have done it, and I'll try to find them if I can. They are also sold as an accessory (jparts.com lists them for $420).

The reason I offered them is because you're in CT, and I'm in RI. I don't feel like boxing them up to ship, and I'd rather drop them off, or have someone pick them up (I have little free time, so the later would be preferable). We're probably less than an hour away if you're in Groton. The steps are in good condition and only have some minor scuffs on the bottom (see pics). They were only on the vehicle for about 5000k miles.

Steps on a Renegade:
http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/new ... negade.asp

My steps- top (sorry for the lousy pic, it's a still from my camcorder)
http://members.cox.net/kjrenegade/steps_front.jpeg

My steps- bottom (see scuffs)
http://members.cox.net/kjrenegade/steps_bottom.jpeg

I have the mouting brackets and all bolts, you'd just need to pick up some nutzerts. I'll let them go for $150 if you pic them up. I could meet you right off rt95 to save you some time.

PM me if interested. Sorry for hijacking you're thread!

USAFCOP · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:12 pm

If you plan to wheel, you would be better off with some boulder bars, or other rockrails that may stick out and double as steps. The steps will save your rocker panels from a hit once, but the tube steps will be toast. Trust me, one hit in texas, and we had to take them off before I could go further down the road.

so for street use, you should be fine and smittybuilt makes good stuff as far as I have seen, off road, it will help protect your rocker panels, but not for long.

Joe Jeep Owner · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 2:38 pm

KJRenegade

Sorry about that, I didnt realize you were in RI or I wouldnt have mentioned shipping. Picking them up would be no problem though, I go to RI a lot depending on where you are located.

Let me think about it and I will let you know (if they are still available). I'm not that mechanically inclined and I didnt really want to have to drill anything. The ones I was looking at were "no drill". Are the ones you have custome color matched to your KJ? Just checking because mine is Patriot Blue and they wouldnt look right. Thanks for all the info and the offer though, maybe I will see you out and about one day!

USAFCORP

I dont think I will be doing any offroading anytime soon, well maybe light but thats about it. Right now this is my only vehicle and I cant really afford all the equipement and upgrades that go along with it. I figure I would make minor upgrades now and see what happends down the road. I would love too but I cant shell out all that money at this point and time. Thanks for letting me know about the Smittybuilt rails though!

kjrenegade · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2005 3:00 pm

You had no way of knowing I was in RI.. I think I left my "Location" tag as One Infine Loop, which is where Apple is located in Cupertino CA.. That's just the geek in me..

As for the steps, I doubt they're going anywhere. They've been up in the rafters of my garage for so long I pretty much forget about them.

USAFCOP is right, though, don't get them if you plan on wheeling. I had them on when I went down a few trails that were'nt much more than fire roads, and they don't get in the way too much for that style wheeling, but they don't offer any protection.

The steps are silver, and are not color matched to the Renegade. I think they would look really good with the blue, or pretty much any color for that matter. As for the drilling, I'm not sure. What I'll do is take a picture (I've got a digital camera now, so it should be much better quality) of where the holes are on my frame rails, and if you have matching holes, then all you should need is the 'zerts.

Running Boards

Who is online