Rough Country SR2 Side Steps / Rock Rails - Steps aren't really removable..

[kput]

I picked these up, as my girlfriend won't be able to easily climb into the Bronco once my 35's go on.
I was attracted to how they looked less like a running board, and more like am actual rock rail. The steps appeared to be easily removable, so if I ever did some off-roading it would be super simple to pull the steps off for more clearance.

Today I went ahead and assembled them so it's easy to install once my Bronco gets here this month. I followed all the instructions and noticed a few inconsistencies. For the steps themselves, you are supposed to slide three bolts into the rail, then attach the steps. However this just isn't physically possible. You actually have to put the bolts into the steps, then slide them into the slots on the rail.

This is actually the issue that makes them not easily removable. I'm debating on pulling the third bolt that goes by itself on the bottom side of the step. This would allow easy removal, and I don't believe it's actually necessary for support. The only issue is I have to disassemble nearly the entire board to do so

I also happened to be missing one of the 8mm nuts used to attach the end caps, and they were a complete pain in the ass to get slid into the rail (the costing makes the rail just a hair too small). There's also no actual information on how far in to push the end caps, hopefully clearance is good once the steps go on, I guess we'll see


Just figured I'd let people that are possibly interested know before they get them all the way assembled as I did.

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[kput]

Bump, installed these today. I DO NOT recommend these to anyone.
The steps are not removable, period, once the sliders are on. There is not enough space between the board and the seam to get them off or on. The entire boards have to be loosened. Even when removing the third, bottom bolt on the steps, nothing.


The installation instructions are complete shit. The order they list to install steps / mounts are trash. I'd recommend setting the rail next to your ride, locating the mounting points on the car, then determine where your steps will be.

Then slide the bolts in place, and attach steps (do not tighten all the way).
I'd leave the mounts off the rail, contrary to the instructions, and attach the mounts to the car first. Then boards to mounts. Waaaaay easier.

Wish I never would have purchased these.

 

[Frush182]

I picked these up, as my girlfriend won't be able to easily climb into the Bronco once my 35's go on.
I was attracted to how they looked less like a running board, and more like am actual rock rail. The steps appeared to be easily removable, so if I ever did some off-roading it would be super simple to pull the steps off for more clearance.

Today I went ahead and assembled them so it's easy to install once my Bronco gets here this month. I followed all the instructions and noticed a few inconsistencies. For the steps themselves, you are supposed to slide three bolts into the rail, then attach the steps. However this just isn't physically possible. You actually have to put the bolts into the steps, then slide them into the slots on the rail.

This is actually the issue that makes them not easily removable. I'm debating on pulling the third bolt that goes by itself on the bottom side of the step. This would allow easy removal, and I don't believe it's actually necessary for support. The only issue is I have to disassemble nearly the entire board to do so

I also happened to be missing one of the 8mm nuts used to attach the end caps, and they were a complete pain in the ass to get slid into the rail (the costing makes the rail just a hair too small). There's also no actual information on how far in to push the end caps, hopefully clearance is good once the steps go on, I guess we'll see


Just figured I'd let people that are possibly interested know before they get them all the way assembled as I did.

Yes, I had this same issue. Not only do you have to put the bolts on the rail first and slide them on, the mounting bracket needs to be located within the width of the steps so you have to slide on one end of the step, then slide on the bracket (lining up all of the bolts so they slide in) and then the other side of the step. You needs at least three hands to do this but I only have two so it took forever. Also, the end caps install by sliding a nut into the rail, sliding the cap on and bolting it into the nuts, but the nuts they sent didn't slide into the rail, they were both too thick and too wide. 1/2 an hour later I had them ground down to fit and was able to put the end caps on but a waste of time for something that should have been right in design.

All this for something I didn't want in the first place, I had to remove my rock rails to put these on, but the wife couldn't get in so these are what I have. Once they're on they feel solid and look good, but the instructions and hardware were ridiculous.

 

[kput]

Yes, I had this same issue. Not only do you have to put the bolts on the rail first and slide them on, the mounting bracket needs to be located within the width of the steps so you have to slide on one end of the step, then slide on the bracket (lining up all of the bolts so they slide in) and then the other side of the step. You needs at least three hands to do this but I only have two so it took forever. Also, the end caps install by sliding a nut into the rail, sliding the cap on and bolting it into the nuts, but the nuts they sent didn't slide into the rail, they were both too thick and too wide. 1/2 an hour later I had them ground down to fit and was able to put the end caps on but a waste of time for something that should have been right in design.

All this for something I didn't want in the first place, I had to remove my rock rails to put these on, but the wife couldn't get in so these are what I have. Once they're on they feel solid and look good, but the instructions and hardware were ridiculous.

Complete trash, can't wait to get rid of them.
IAG performance is working on an actually affordable set of removable steps for factory rock rails. I'll switch over to these once they drop. Just need to find a set of factory rails lol.

 

[Big Blue 1]

Best of both worlds

 

[kput]

Best of both worlds

Too expensive for my blood lol
I'd like to pick up a set of factory rock rails, and a set of the IAG steps at some point

 

[Big Blue 1]

I

Too expensive for my blood lol
I'd like to pick up a set of factory rock rails, and a set of the IAG steps at some point

I've got short people in the family.

 

[Frush182]

I just ordered the IAG V2 steps and will switch back to the rock rails when they arrive. I plan to replace the IAG bolts with a wing nut to make them easily added when the wife is with me and pull them off for the other 90% of the time.

 

[kput]

I just ordered the IAG V2 steps and will switch back to the rock rails when they arrive. I plan to replace the IAG bolts with a wing nut to make them easily added when the wife is with me and pull them off for the other 90% of the time.

That's the route I'd go if I were doing it again for sure.

 

[David J]

Did anyone keep the rough country steps and how bad was it to take them off to go off roading?

I got them on and now I want to go off roading and am dreading taking them off and on again.

 

[Mikey1287]

Mine came with them from the dealership. I changed them out not long ago.
Taking them off was easy. Not sure about putting them back on though. lol.

Did anyone keep the rough country steps and how bad was it to take them off to go off roading?

I got them on and now I want to go off roading and am dreading taking them off and on again.

 

[David J]

I like them, they look cool, but I think taking them off and putting them back on will be a chore.

Which steps did you go to?

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