TJ Unlimited (LJ) Side Step Bars and / or Sidesteps

Palidan

Palidan

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Hello forum! I am fairly new, so if this has been asked please forgive me. I searched , but could not find anything about this exactly. So, I have a 2004 TJ Unlimited with 33s. While the height of my Jeep is not that bad by any stretch of the imagination, it is high enough that my aging dad and special needs son have trouble getting in. I have looked for side steps and/or rocker guards, but see the selection is much less for the longer model. I have (2) questions…..

First, do any TJ Unlimited folks have side steps or steps that double as guards that look great? I’d love to see pictures. I actually like the stock look plastic steps, but wondered if they would fit. Since you only have the two doors it should make sense that they would.

Second, guards that cover rockers, tub corners, etc. I have always wondered if rain, water, mud, or sand get behind them and cause paint damage. I know these items are there to protect, but do they actually harm as well?

Thanks to all and I really appreciate any feedback and/or photos. I’m not a rock crawler, just mainly swampy trails and forestry roads.

Palidan
 
I use the OEM side steps on my '05 Unlimited. It has a 2" lift, 1.25" body lift, and 33s. My wife wouldn't be able to get in without them, and I would have a hard time too.

The TJ and LJ steps are the same. The '05 and '06 use the same mounting. I'm not sure about the '04. At some previous year, a different mounting was used.
 
If you have the budget Rock Slide Engineering are a nice option for your needs. Otherwise stock steps work fine. Functional sliders with steps will be to high to be practical. My sliders have a step but it is useless except for standing on when switching soft tops. There are a few companies that sell folding or removable steps that mount under the tub. Those might be another option. There are also stirrups or ladder steps that you can hang from the tub. They are not as stable so might not be the best option. My solution for my short wife is just a folding plastic step stool with rope attached. She uses it to get in and then hoists it up and puts it behind the seat.
If your installing real armor your going to be doing damage when installing anyway. Being concerned about the paint when your drilling holes in the body just isn't worth it. I just made sure everything was clean and installed my sliders. I did the same on a previous jeep with corners. If your concerned you can always remove them for cleaning occasionally.
 
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I was lucky to find a set of OEM sliders. They help some, but there isn’t a lot of “step”, given your specifics not sure if they would work.

IMG_5616.jpeg
 
OldBuzzard said:
I use the OEM side steps on my '05 Unlimited. It has a 2" lift, 1.25" body lift, and 33s. My wife wouldn't be able to get in without them, and I would have a hard time too.

The TJ and LJ steps are the same. The '05 and '06 use the same mounting. I'm not sure about the '04. At some previous year, a different mounting was used.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much! This is a great help.
 
06lj said:
If you have the budget Rock Slide Engineering are a nice option for your needs. Otherwise stock steps work fine. Functional sliders with steps will be to high to be practical. My sliders have a step but it is useless except for standing on when switching soft tops. There are a few companies that sell folding or removable steps that mount under the tub. Those might be another option. There are also stirrups or ladder steps that you can hang from the tub. They are not as stable so might not be the best option. My solution for my short wife is just a folding plastic step stool with rope attached. She uses it to get in and then hoists it up and puts it behind the seat.
If your installing real armor your going to be doing damage when installing anyway. Being concerned about the paint when your drilling holes in the body just isn't worth it. I just made sure everything was clean and installed my sliders. I did the same on a previous jeep with corners. If your concerned you can always remove them for cleaning occasionally.
Click to expand...
I love the drilling point you made. Lol. So true.
 
Palidan said:
Hello forum! I am fairly new, so if this has been asked please forgive me. I searched , but could not find anything about this exactly. So, I have a 2004 TJ Unlimited with 33s. While the height of my Jeep is not that bad by any stretch of the imagination, it is high enough that my aging dad and special needs son have trouble getting in. I have looked for side steps and/or rocker guards, but see the selection is much less for the longer model. I have (2) questions…..

First, do any TJ Unlimited folks have side steps or steps that double as guards that look great? I’d love to see pictures. I actually like the stock look plastic steps, but wondered if they would fit. Since you only have the two doors it should make sense that they would.

Second, guards that cover rockers, tub corners, etc. I have always wondered if rain, water, mud, or sand get behind them and cause paint damage. I know these items are there to protect, but do they actually harm as well?

Thanks to all and I really appreciate any feedback and/or photos. I’m not a rock crawler, just mainly swampy trails and forestry roads.

Palidan
Click to expand...

I'm very much in a similar situation. My dad cannot get into my TJ without significant difficulty. I struggle as well. This should solve the problem. They are definitely not cheap. But kinda the only power step option out there that also has good protection

https://www.northridge4x4.com/fits/...ss-100-lj-rock-slide-engineering-step-sliders
 
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Here’s what I started with as far as side steps nerf bar then rockslider/sidestep. My LJ has 4” lift with 33’s both rim size are 16”. Also installed grab bar and strap. All together they work in unison getting in and out.
IMG_1587.jpeg
IMG_1906.jpeg
IMG_2004.jpeg
 
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My steps/sliders are frame mounted, an option that many consider inferior to the tub-mounted sliders you will see alot of on TJ/LJ's. Those arguments are usually more offroad performance based instead of functioning as a step.

These specific ones are from a company that no longer exists called Jeeperman, but i believe there are similar designed steps still available. These were on my Jeep when i bought it and i haven't found a reason to remove them at all, i also prefer these because there was no drilling required, they sandwich the frame with large plates.

IMG_20240124_220511_007.jpg

Edit: Another angle

20240124_085741.jpg
 
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