- First Name
- Doug
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2024
- Threads
- 30
- Messages
- 1,335
- Reaction score
- 3,078
- Location
- Washington
- Vehicle(s)
- '24 4-dr WT, '22 2-dr WT, '15 Explorer Sport, '02 F250 SD V-10
- Your Bronco Model
- Wildtrak
- Thread starter
- #1
Just installed a set of the RCI 4-Door, 5 degree Slider/Steps w/ tread plate on our new '24 Wildtrak. I have had a set on my 2 door Wildtrak for over a year now and like them very, very much. I was out Saturday in the 2 door and vigorously dropped the whole weight of the truck on them negotiating a stump and not a dent, bend or even scratch in the powder coat. It was not the first time for that, either.
At any rate, I was amazed. I ordered the sliders 7/20 and they were at my house on 7/26 (FedEx from CO to WA), and installed on 7/27. I think I waited 8 or maybe even 10 weeks for the 2D sliders.
The 4D steps are still frame mounted and 65 pounds each. They aren't light duty. I'm a big fan of these. A few thoughts:
-May be it's the practice of a second install or just a poor memory, but the 4Ds seemed easier to install than the 2Ds. I think I had to lower the tank slightly on the 2D, but not so on the 4D. Props to the member that pointed out placing the sliders on 5 gallon buckets puts them at a perfect height. With that, I easily did the install myself. Note that there is a fuel tank strap on the passenger side in a threaded frame mounting hole you need. I supported the tank with a floor jack and put the slide under the strap, then reused the OEM bolt in that location. The OEM bolt was the same strength and length, but with a larger head. I'd also recommend removing all the wiring harness retainers on the driver side frame for installation. Made it much easier to move the harness out of the way sliding these dudes into place by myself. I pulled the passenger side harness too, but that may not have been necessary. After install, some of the driver side harness attachment holes get covered up. I made a little bracket and attached that to the OEM body slider mount holes with a 10mm bolt, then zip tied the harness to that. It was one area in the middle, the rest of the harness seemed well supported.
- To me, they are the perfect configuration. They stick out far enough to be a useful step and also protect the door panels, but the front portion is well within the front wheel width. The rear kick out just comes out to the rear tire face. It's an even better step to get to the roof and works great as a pivot point on trees or root balls.
-I live on a gravel road and these block all the gravel the Goodyears can throw, and that's a lot of gravel. With some front mud flaps, these keep 95% of the mud and slop off the sides of the truck. The rear tires tend to push more muck forward onto the top of the steps than the front tires throw up.
-The tread plates are great. They are part of the gravel/mud protection scheme, but they also provide great grip with wet or muddy boots accessing the roof.
-I'm sure a lot goes into the Bronco design for crash protection and energy absorbtion/dissipation and I could be wrong on this, but I got to think they provide some added side impact protection. Running doors off, it's a bit reassuring seeing some steel sticking out there fending off the POS Kia drivers.
So, two thumbs up here on both the 2D and 4D flavors. I have zero complaints. I even think they are a great value with the 20% off sale, particularly being made in the USA.
At any rate, I was amazed. I ordered the sliders 7/20 and they were at my house on 7/26 (FedEx from CO to WA), and installed on 7/27. I think I waited 8 or maybe even 10 weeks for the 2D sliders.
The 4D steps are still frame mounted and 65 pounds each. They aren't light duty. I'm a big fan of these. A few thoughts:
-May be it's the practice of a second install or just a poor memory, but the 4Ds seemed easier to install than the 2Ds. I think I had to lower the tank slightly on the 2D, but not so on the 4D. Props to the member that pointed out placing the sliders on 5 gallon buckets puts them at a perfect height. With that, I easily did the install myself. Note that there is a fuel tank strap on the passenger side in a threaded frame mounting hole you need. I supported the tank with a floor jack and put the slide under the strap, then reused the OEM bolt in that location. The OEM bolt was the same strength and length, but with a larger head. I'd also recommend removing all the wiring harness retainers on the driver side frame for installation. Made it much easier to move the harness out of the way sliding these dudes into place by myself. I pulled the passenger side harness too, but that may not have been necessary. After install, some of the driver side harness attachment holes get covered up. I made a little bracket and attached that to the OEM body slider mount holes with a 10mm bolt, then zip tied the harness to that. It was one area in the middle, the rest of the harness seemed well supported.
- To me, they are the perfect configuration. They stick out far enough to be a useful step and also protect the door panels, but the front portion is well within the front wheel width. The rear kick out just comes out to the rear tire face. It's an even better step to get to the roof and works great as a pivot point on trees or root balls.
-I live on a gravel road and these block all the gravel the Goodyears can throw, and that's a lot of gravel. With some front mud flaps, these keep 95% of the mud and slop off the sides of the truck. The rear tires tend to push more muck forward onto the top of the steps than the front tires throw up.
-The tread plates are great. They are part of the gravel/mud protection scheme, but they also provide great grip with wet or muddy boots accessing the roof.
-I'm sure a lot goes into the Bronco design for crash protection and energy absorbtion/dissipation and I could be wrong on this, but I got to think they provide some added side impact protection. Running doors off, it's a bit reassuring seeing some steel sticking out there fending off the POS Kia drivers.
So, two thumbs up here on both the 2D and 4D flavors. I have zero complaints. I even think they are a great value with the 20% off sale, particularly being made in the USA.
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