Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.

Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
arrive today...

Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...

Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
not the frame!

Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
require that I drill giant holes in the body?!

OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
[on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
ahead.

Thoughts?

 

I think you are correct.

Those steps are usually the first thing that gets ripped off on a TJ.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?

 

I think you are correct.

Those steps are usually the first thing that gets ripped off on a TJ.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?

 

I think you are correct.

Those steps are usually the first thing that gets ripped off on a TJ.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?

 

"Laeglin" <Laeglin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lCJCb.1074$6B3.701@okepread05...
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the
trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the
body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not
I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps
that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it
just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling...
I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
Take them to a local welder, they can cut off the ends and put a 1/2' plate
with gussets and holes in the plate. Tell him what you want and that you
want them to fit on your frame not the body.

I built my own set and have a complete shop with welder but, I did not use
the method I described above. What I did was to make them removable. I
fabricated the tubes without the mounting plate and I made the mounting
plate with a one foot straight tube tail that slides into the tube. Then I
drilled a 5/8' hole straight through both pipes marked the frame and used
1/2" sst bolts to mount the feet. Slid the hole works together and
installed the bolts.

The cost of the pipe and welded elbows cost less than $100.00 including the
rustoleum paint.

--
HarryS
JAFGBR

 

"Laeglin" <Laeglin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lCJCb.1074$6B3.701@okepread05...
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the
trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the
body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not
I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps
that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it
just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling...
I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
Take them to a local welder, they can cut off the ends and put a 1/2' plate
with gussets and holes in the plate. Tell him what you want and that you
want them to fit on your frame not the body.

I built my own set and have a complete shop with welder but, I did not use
the method I described above. What I did was to make them removable. I
fabricated the tubes without the mounting plate and I made the mounting
plate with a one foot straight tube tail that slides into the tube. Then I
drilled a 5/8' hole straight through both pipes marked the frame and used
1/2" sst bolts to mount the feet. Slid the hole works together and
installed the bolts.

The cost of the pipe and welded elbows cost less than $100.00 including the
rustoleum paint.

--
HarryS
JAFGBR

 

"Laeglin" <Laeglin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lCJCb.1074$6B3.701@okepread05...
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the
trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the
body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not
I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps
that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it
just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling...
I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?
>
>
Take them to a local welder, they can cut off the ends and put a 1/2' plate
with gussets and holes in the plate. Tell him what you want and that you
want them to fit on your frame not the body.

I built my own set and have a complete shop with welder but, I did not use
the method I described above. What I did was to make them removable. I
fabricated the tubes without the mounting plate and I made the mounting
plate with a one foot straight tube tail that slides into the tube. Then I
drilled a 5/8' hole straight through both pipes marked the frame and used
1/2" sst bolts to mount the feet. Slid the hole works together and
installed the bolts.

The cost of the pipe and welded elbows cost less than $100.00 including the
rustoleum paint.

--
HarryS
JAFGBR

 

I'd show her where the grab bar is and tell how to place a foot
inside, then hope and pull herself in, or you may trade her in one that
can.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?

 

I'd show her where the grab bar is and tell how to place a foot
inside, then hope and pull herself in, or you may trade her in one that
can.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?

 

I'd show her where the grab bar is and tell how to place a foot
inside, then hope and pull herself in, or you may trade her in one that
can.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Laeglin wrote:
>
> Hi folks, Since my new 04 TJ didn't come with side steps, I ordered a set
> through the dealer to simply entry/exit for my 5' tall wife.
>
> Problem 1: Parts guy tells me the "regular" TJ steps won't fit on Rubicon.
> OK, so I order the "tubular" steps -- a bit more expensive, but I figured
> they'd add a bit of protection the regular steps would not. So the steps
> arrive today...
>
> Problem 2: the packaging is over 6 feet long and won't fit in the TJ for
> transport home. No prob... I remove the steps and toss the box in the trash
> at the dealer. So I get them home and start the install...
>
> Problem 3: "Remove the 8mm bolts from the body in the rear of the front
> wheel well". Body?! That's right, my new MOPAR tub steps attach to the body,
> not the frame!
>
> Problem 4: "Drill two 3/8 holes in the body..." What?! My new Mopar steps
> require that I drill giant holes in the body?!
>
> OK, so, getting to the point a last: I trashed the package, so like as not I
> can't return the steps. Just how stupid is putting on tublar side steps that
> bolt to the body rather than the frame. The way I see it I'm losing 6" of
> ground clearance under the door and risking damaging the body unnessarily
> [on a rock] that might otherwise not have touched the TJ at all. Had it just
> been a bolt-on deal, I might have done it anyway, but with the drilling... I
> just can't help but think this is a mistake and I should quit while I'm
> ahead.
>
> Thoughts?