Oem side bars and offroading.

[silverflash]

So I just installed the oem 5" rectangular side steps. Got them for like 200$ with ford pass points on new truck. Before I got them I shopped online. Looked at trucks that had the oem steps. Looking at them, the only part of the steps that hang lower than the frame rails are the brackets. I see posts out here saying they are bad for offroad. Yet they don't hang lower than the frames. I've watched tfl do crazy stuff in their YouTube videos with the steps on, and on a stock fx4, which I have. My thoughts are that if the bars are gonna hot something the frames will be hitting too. If the bars weren't there you would aquire lower panel damage. With them on they have to bend first before doing so. Anyhow, I have zero plans on doing hardcore stuff. I think they look good. Will allow me to get to roof to wash it. And will keep some road debris off the panels. Rokblokz on order though. Thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[silverflash]

So I just installed the oem 5" rectangular side steps. Got them for like 200$ with ford pass points on new truck. Before I got them I shopped online. Looked at trucks that had the oem steps. Looking at them, the only part of the steps that hang lower than the frame rails are the brackets. I see posts out here saying they are bad for offroad. Yet they don't hang lower than the frames. I've watched tfl do crazy stuff in their YouTube videos with the steps on, and on a stock fx4, which I have. My thoughts are that if the bars are gonna hot something the frames will be hitting too. If the bars weren't there you would aquire lower panel damage. With them on they have to bend first before doing so. Anyhow, I have zero plans on doing hardcore stuff. I think they look good. Will allow me to get to roof to wash it. And will keep some road debris off the panels. Rokblokz on order though. Thoughts?

 

[silverflash]

This pic makes them look lower than frame. They are definitely not. It's just the angle.

 

[silverflash]

 

[CO2Ranger]

If you start crawling around on rocks and the weight of the truck finds those steps you're going to put a shitload of weight on parts of your truck that aren't meant to hold that weight. Consider where the steps mount. If you're doing mostly forest roads and light trails your risk is much lower.

 

[silverflash]

Yep. Imdont do that sort of stuff. I do go up a private road that's rocky and steep. A guy with an old Honda civic used to make it up. Somehow. My patriot did it easy. This one did as well. Not worried.

 

[spartan0078]

The stock steps are gonna defend fine against brush and mud if you sink too deep into a rut or something, but they will do damage if you're engaging in Rock crawling and the weight will be poorly distributed along the wrong spots. Or they'll just snap off.

There's a reason the more expensive ones are called rock sliders. They're meant to take way more weight die to the fact that they're more securely attached to the frame of the truck.

The OEM ones are like six 3/4" bolts that aren't gonna hold shit beyond the weight of my fat ass.

 

[silverflash]

The stock steps are gonna defend fine against brush and mud if you sink too deep into a rut or something, but they will do damage if you're engaging in Rock crawling and the weight will be poorly distributed along the wrong spots. Or they'll just snap off.

There's a reason the more expensive ones are called rock sliders. They're meant to take way more weight die to the fact that they're more securely attached to the frame of the truck.

The OEM ones are like six 3/4" bolts that aren't gonna hold shit beyond the weight of my fat ass.

exactly. and i am not rock crawling this. LOL. I will be more than fine.

 

[Trigganometry]

Technically the factory rail steps are just that, steps and door guards against sedans and also brush guards. That’s about it. Anything else will end up being a disappointment.

 

[silverflash]

if i had plans on rock crawling i would have gotten the harder to install and more expensive rock sliders. i have zero plans on doing that. the stock oem steps will work for me and my purposes. which are to get to the roof to clean up there and as a guard against some road debris. rokblokz should be here any day and will install those as well. everyone who has a ranger fx4 that puts steps on their truck, doesn't plan on rock crawling. LOL.

 

[Trigganometry]

if i had plans on rock crawling i would have gotten the harder to install and more expensive rock sliders. i have zero plans on doing that. the stock oem steps will work for me and my purposes. which are to get to the roof to clean up there and as a guard against some road debris. rokblokz should be here any day and will install those as well. everyone who has a ranger fx4 that puts steps on their truck, doesn't plan on rock crawling. LOL.

Think for quite a few of us they came on the truck from factory. If I had my choice in hindsight would have gone for aftermarket sliders. Is what it is…

 

[HenryMac]

So I just installed the oem 5" rectangular side steps. Got them for like 200$ with ford pass points on new truck. Before I got them I shopped online. Looked at trucks that had the oem steps. Looking at them, the only part of the steps that hang lower than the frame rails are the brackets. I see posts out here saying they are bad for offroad. Yet they don't hang lower than the frames. I've watched tfl do crazy stuff in their YouTube videos with the steps on, and on a stock fx4, which I have. My thoughts are that if the bars are gonna hot something the frames will be hitting too. If the bars weren't there you would aquire lower panel damage. With them on they have to bend first before doing so. Anyhow, I have zero plans on doing hardcore stuff. I think they look good. Will allow me to get to roof to wash it. And will keep some road debris off the panels. Rokblokz on order though. Thoughts?

The stock steps are gonna defend fine against brush and mud if you sink too deep into a rut or something, but they will do damage if you're engaging in Rock crawling and the weight will be poorly distributed along the wrong spots. Or they'll just snap off.

There's a reason the more expensive ones are called rock sliders. They're meant to take way more weight die to the fact that they're more securely attached to the frame of the truck.

The OEM ones are like six 3/4" bolts that aren't gonna hold shit beyond the weight of my fat ass.

3/4" bolts.... that's a typo, right.​

OEM / Aftermarket side steps attach to the sheet metal cab, see below photo. Also, see the sheet metal bracket?

Rock sliders, good quality rock sliders, bolt to the frame of the truck. These sliders are so strong they can be used as a jacking point to lift up the truck. Look at the structural steel supports below.

​

ShrockWorks rock sliders are extremely strong. They are constructed of 2" square tube with a 0.1875" wall and 1.75" x .0.120" wall DOM round tubing. They bolt directly to the frame using 1/4” thick, gusseted mounting plates that tie into both the side and bottom of the frame. This nets you a stronger frame attachment vs. simply bolting to the side of the frame. They make great Hi-Lift jack lift points and will easily withstand impacts from any obstacle you may come across on the trails.​

​

​

 

[silverflash]

3/4" bolts.... that's a typo, right.​

OEM / Aftermarket side steps attach to the sheet metal cab, see below photo. Also, see the sheet metal bracket?

Rock sliders, good quality rock sliders, bolt to the frame of the truck. These sliders are so strong they can be used as a jacking point to lift up the truck. Look at the structural steel supports below.

​

ShrockWorks rock sliders are extremely strong. They are constructed of 2" square tube with a 0.1875" wall and 1.75" x .0.120" wall DOM round tubing. They bolt directly to the frame using 1/4” thick, gusseted mounting plates that tie into both the side and bottom of the frame. This nets you a stronger frame attachment vs. simply bolting to the side of the frame. They make great Hi-Lift jack lift points and will easily withstand impacts from any obstacle you may come across on the trails.​

​

​

yes. to beat a dead horse. i don't wheel. worst i do are roads that subarus get up. if you wheel hard, get sliders. if not, why spend 1000$ and then drill into your frame to just say you can do those things? no thanks. the purpose of the OEM bars for me is to get me a way to wash my roof mainly, and then maybe help against road debris from hitting the lower panels. mudflaps soon to be installed- rokblojz. so they will flex.

 

[Leftcoast]

Those are steps. Treat them like steps and you'll be fine.

Sponsored