Baystate Jeepers

Can anyone recommend any particular side steps? I like the curved tubular style in matte black - I've looked at Red Rock, Smittybuilt and Rugged Ridge. Should I stay away from any of these? And of course, which ones will rust the easiest?

I still have my factory steps; not sure how I haven't ripped them off yet but destroyed my factory bumpers. Be aware that tube ones are slick.

Most of the less expensive ones won’t hold up to a lot of off road abuse. I have the Shrockworks ones and are holding up well to the abuse. If you want one that also doubles as a step the LOD Destroyer is nice, avoid any that has the step hang below the rail. They will just catch on the rocks and get damaged. If you get the powder coated ones and keep the scrapes touched up you can fight off the rust for years.

I've heard the electro-pneumatic ones from Rockslide Engineering have recently been reinforced so they act as sliders and still work as steps. But they are Wicked Expensive. (like $2k+)

I have a set of BodyArmor sliders on my 12, they came off of my 07 and aside from repainting them due to the factory paint coming off,
they have been pretty stout. They have held up to occasional hard wheeling at Rausch Creek and trails my Jeep has no business being on. Strongly recommend them as they only have the occasional ding and dent but otherwise look good.

IMG_1100 by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/183258306@N07/]

If you're looking for sliders for a 4 door, I've got a pair of ACE Engineering for sale. They worked great, but I went in a different direction.

Whatever you do, make sure it fits your intended use. I had to learn that lesson the hard way, and a lot of Baystate members were very helpful (as always!) in helping me decide on the right solution the second time around:

http://www.baystatejeepers.com/forum/vi ... f=3&t=5899

If you're offroading in places like the watery go around at Gremlin or other places where you want protection, the Smittybilt tubes aren't a good choice. I had these on my JKU the first half year I was starting off with Baystate. I straightened the mounts after every run with a tow strap to a tree. They're dented in a lot. One is visibly bent. I went to the same ones that Matt bought (White knuckle offroad) in the stronger DOM steel and have been happy with them. They have been abused but have protected the side of my rig. They are frame mounted and more work to install, requiring drilling holes compared with body mounted options that bolt to existing body holes. If you want my old Smittybilts, you can have them.

I think what I like most about the Body armor ones is they are bolt on to the frame and I've had my rig pivot off of them and still look good. Uses all existing holes and new grade 8 hardware...

Yes - good point! With the right set of sliders, you can definitely use them for pivot maneuvers. It's a good skill to develop, especially if you have a JKU or other longer-wheelbase Jeep. There are plenty of tight turns at Brookridge and other properties.

If your intention is for protection , They have to include - thick wall tubing , Frame mounting ,with or without body mount additional . No step hanging down. Some are a single bar and some are multi bar. I think the multi bar setup protects more of the body because your not always flat. Make sure they fall into the slider category , rocker protector than just a dress up step. FjR68

. I cheaped out once.....Lesson learned. Do your homework and buy a good set once.

Even though those are bent to hell , they did their job protecting the body door openings and rockers. Mine are home made and look worse than those. Spray them with undercoat every year and get after it all season. Starting with a strong set allows you protection and having to do it once . FjR68