I have a Sahara and really like the look of the side steps it came with. The manual recommends removing the side steps before going off road. I haven't done so yet, and luckilly haven't had any problems. Just curious how many Sahara owners remove their side steps beore going off road.

 

I would remove them for off road use.

When I had my KJ still in stock form, I hot a branch stuck between the aluminum side step and body. The branch eventually broke but not before doing considerable scraping. After that I added a lift and removed the steps but that just allowed the rocker panels to get bashed on the rocks. I added rock rails shortly after that.

 

Yeah, I think I should put some rock rails on, but like I said, I really like the look/function of the side steps. My guess is I'll go throgh the effort of swapping them back and forth with some rock rails each time I go out. Sounds like a lot of work.

 

i have a sahara and i have left the step rails on while off roading.. just think about them when you are out and about... realize that they may change your clearance or maneuverablity.... and if i took them off i would have been screwed in the following pics since i went mudding with the doors off the steps are the only thing that saved the inside of my jeep and my pups and i from a mud bath...

All in All use them if the get wrecked it sounds like a fantastic excuse for some upgrades

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Just after the mud puddle

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No but then I don't offroad as a sport and usually take the path of least resistance. I drive offroad to get from point A to point B usualy a fishing hole. If I were doing what some guys here do and taking it places it might not have been meant to go for fun I would but that is not how I drive. Of course I am also of the school slow and steady when offroad unless I need a little momentum.

 

I have the Sahara side steps, and I plan on replacing them with PureJeep rock rails. My off road trips so far have been on good fire roads--nothing too rugged. There are a couple of places I plan to take my Jeep, but I'm holding off on until I get my rock rails, because I figure there's a good chance I'd tear up the factory side steps. I think it would be way too much trouble to take the Sahara steps on and of every time you go off-road.

 

I've never taken mine off. If you have reservations about doing body damage while wheeling they will likely be fine. I dont have rock crawling terrain around me so the only thing I could find to bash mine on is tree stumps. I dont put the tires on anthing that looks taller than my ground clearance. I've stuck the jeep once . High centered coming out of a ditch. The frame hit way before the steps would. Give yourself enough room to fit through obstacles & you shouldn't have any problems.

That said I will take mine off for the camp jeep trip. I figure someone there will require it for the trail rides.

 

I took mine off last weekend to paint the pinchseam black because it had rust on it around the bolts and behind where the sidestep brackets mount... :angry:


I cant wait for the PureJeep rails to become available, i hate the stock Sahara tupperware steps. (only got them because they came on it & the better half needs them as a bandaid until i get better ones)

 

I used to get hung up on my side-steps all the time, but I left them on because I preferred to bang up the side-steps over my rockers. They were a real annoyance though-- I can think of at least two tow-strap moments that were a direct result of those steps. I ditched them for a pair of Rubicon rock rails and couldn't be happier. I thought I might have problems putting up and down the soft-top once I ditched the steps, but having them gone has made absolutely no difference. Even my 12-year-old doesn't miss them.