I don’t use motorized steps but have nerf bars with step indents. Mainly for my elderly mother in law and my wife’s elderly friend to step onto.

 

I like the way these look, but I have concerns that someone's foot may slide over the top of the rail between the rail and the truck.

 

I have Aries bars on mine. I got them because when the kids were younger the high step was difficult for them. I’m waiting for warmer weather to take them off since the finish hasn’t held up well and the kids no longer have an issue.

 

So are the fixed steps effective for elderly and children? I don't have to worry about children but I do have an elderly mother and some friends who are short enough that you "have to pick them up to say hello" (apologies to Randy Newman).

 

My elderly mother in law and elderly friend are short and it helps them. In my case they are useful and I actually like the look as well. Matter of preference I guess.

 

Closeups pics for more perspective.

 

Do you use them yourself for getting into the front? My experience has been that they are a big help for the back seats but not so much for the front. That seems to be because they are so close to the interior floor height that the movement to step up with left foot and then swing right foot into vehicle is somewhat awkward. Or am I just more clumsy than I thought?

 

I feel the get in my way because they stick out further than necessary.

 

I had the Mopar Step Bars on my '11. They were rock solid, but the actual step width was tiny. I have the rugged Ridge Step Bars on my current '17 Jeep. They too are solid, cost less than 1/2 of the Mopar bars, and have a wider step.

 

I have these decent aluminum ones on mine for my wife. Not that expensive and have a decent sized step surface as well.

 

Who makes those?

 

TAC. I bought mine used for $50 off Craigslist LOL

https://www.amazon.com/TAC-2011-201...1_1?keywords=jeep+tpc+running+boards&qid=1551396291&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spell&th=1

 

They look like the TAC or Aries running boards. Very good products for a lot less than the Mopar OEM ones. They're similar to the Dee Zee ones I had on my Sorento which were solid and looked great.

My concern is more about usefulness... I found I seldom actually stepped on the boards on the Sorento because they mount high (right up to the rocker panel) so it was just as easy to ignore them and step directly into the vehicle. The few times I did try using them I found that the motion of stepping up and swinging the other foot in was awkward. The Jeep is higher so there are definite advantages to a side step but I wonder if it would still be an awkward motion getting in. That's why I'm also considering motorized boards that are lower when deployed and create a more intermediate step height.

I found out yesterday that the only reason Amp Research doesn't offer their motorized boards for '18 and '19 models is because of the addition of the security gateway to the OBD II system which they use to determine when the doors open and close. I suggested that it might work after installing the security gateway bypass module that comes with the Tazer and I'm waiting to hear back from them.

 

How much is the motorized side step for the JGC?

I have some elderly parents but am considering the fixed side steps.

 

They're very expensive... $1500 for the kit and probably 3+ hours installation or more. At today's labor rates, that puts the total near $2000 or more.

 

i beg any body do not get all silver w black rubber steps because after a while w re: salt , water etc ...the steps come off and you're left w/ gaping holes w rust etc and they look awful i see that so much in my area...waste of money ...just get the kind that are totally rubber covered they fare much better

 

Would it be easier to just lower the height of the vehicle for easier entrance/egress?

 

I received a rather generic response from AMP Research (the maker of the motorized boards) which basically said we will look into the possibility of the bypass module solving the problem and no, we will not guarantee that you can return the boards if you try to test out the idea that the module will make them work. Not even a thank you for suggesting something that could open up the market for them.

So I decided to go with the TAC fixed boards. They should arrive next week... only $215 for the set and free shipping. I did get the polished stainless steel edge model because it will go well with the chrome mirrors and door handles on the Limited.

@neverrest, these may not be the same model you've seen because they are stainless rather than polished aluminum but I live in Florida now and don't have to worry about snow and road salt anymore.

@deputydawg, lowering really isn't an option in my case since the vehicle height is one of the selling points as far as my wife is concerned. I don't have the factory air suspension and wouldn't spend the money on installing an aftermarket one.

 

Good deal. those are the same ones I pictured. My wife uses them all the time.
The only thing you'll have to get used to is when getting out, you have to extend your leg further out to "miss" the step...or rub on it & risk getting your pants dirty LOL
Im in NYC and theres loads of salt on the road now...the SS edge still looks flawless. I can say though on my wife's side (she uses them mostly) the hard rubber tread is getting scratched up from her foot twisting with salt/dirt on her shoes. Not a deal breaker. When washing the Jeep a little 303 Products vinyl protectant hides the scuffs

 

I have the side bars on a 2014 Grand Cherokee, I use the roof racks for surfboards, the bars make the loading/unloading procedures very easy.

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/p3qXwDnn7HZsfVjF9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/KUdtmhSA3eeuYQo67

I picked up from nerf bars from amazon a while back and immediately sprayed rustoleum truck bed coating on it to get that non slip texture. It doesnt stick out too much. Install is also easy.

*edit* cant get images to show up, so if someone wants to upload the photos from the links above and share them here for me that is fine with me.

 

Follow up... I received the TAC fixed steps and had them installed in mid-March. They look good and are quite effective for the rear seat passengers (my elderly mother approved). However, they just didn't seem as useful for the front. They are still higher than the usual ground to floorboard distance that most of us are used to. So the action of stepping up on the board and then down into the seat seemed a little awkward.

I bit the bullet and ordered the Amp Research Power Steps for a '17 JGC since they don't list them for newer models. Despite their lukewarm response to my suggestion that the security bypass module from zAutomotive would solve the problem of not being able to read when the door opens and closes, I was convinced that it would work. Fortunately, I found an Amp Research dealer/installer nearby who was willing to give it a try with a backup plan of hard wiring a switch if the OBD port didn't work.

They installed the boards yesterday and they work exactly as they should using the OBD port. They deploy quickly when a door opens and the height is near perfect. It's a natural motion to step on the board and slide into the seat just like it was a car at normal ride height. The only negative is the cost which came to just under $2,000 with installation and tax. Still, I plan to keep this Jeep for many years so I feel it was worth the cost.

So, if anyone is considering power steps on their '18 or '19 then you can be assured that installing the bypass module will make them work despite the manufacturer's reluctance to say so.

 

Follow up... I received the TAC fixed steps and had them installed in mid-March. They look good and are quite effective for the rear seat passengers (my elderly mother approved). However, they just didn't seem as useful for the front. They are still higher than the usual ground to floorboard distance that most of us are used to. So the action of stepping up on the board and then down into the seat seemed a little awkward.

Damn Wizard you went all out on the running boards.

Which JGC trim do you have? I was looking at the TAC fixed steps from Amazon and it says that the fit excludes SRT, High Altitude, etc.

I have the 2019 JGC High Altitude so looking to get running boards.

 

The listing only specifies they won't fit on SRT and Trailhawk models and that they can be made to fit the Trailhawk after removal of the rock rails. It's my understanding that many running boards won't fit Summit because of the side skirts. Does the HA have similar side skirts? If not, they should fit fine.

One brand that definitely has what you want is Romik (romik.com). They specifically state that they fit Summit and Trailhawk but not SRT and Trackhawk. However, they are twice as expensive.

I was very pleased with the TAC boards as far as looks and quality (especially for the price) but they just didn't suit the height needs I had. If I were to buy them again, I might go with the 5" or smaller models because the 5.5" ones stuck out just a bit more than I would like.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Yes the HA does have similar side skirts as the Summit.

I'll check Romik and do some more research. I understand your point on the height issue of the side steps. I too, have elderly that I need to accommodate for their needs. Some side steps seems to be attached lower than the body but theres like a 2" gap where you can see spacing. To me that looks kind of weird from the pics but in terms of height that looks like what I need.

Too bad I can't test them all...lol

 

The TAC boards are about 1.5" to 2" below the rocker panels but they include a black rubber strip mounted to the inside edge of the board to cover the gap. It's quite effective in that they appear to be mounted right up to the body since you can't see through the gap.

 

Did you take any pics of the TAC side steps before replacing them?

 

I didn't take any pictures but there are several on Amazon showing the side of the vehicle as well as close-ups of the board with the rubber filler piece: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013UK40OI