Best Bronco Nerf Bars, Side Steps and Running Boards

Ford Bronco-Specific Considerations

The Ford Bronco is, and always has been, an off-road vehicle since its conception in the mid-sixties as a competitor to the Jeep CJ to its current form. Out of respect for the model's off-road capabilities, shopping for Bronco side steps comes with some unique considerations.

Firstly, Bronco side steps need to be durable. Unlike primarily road-going applications, Ford anticipates its Bronco to see trail use and abuse, as do we! 

From high-centering over obstacles to dragging through branches and dense brush, most Ford Broncos will see their fair share of dirt miles, and their side steps must hold up to the abuse! 

Secondly, Bronco side steps should offer more than a simple step up into the cab. Any avid wheeler knows that time on a trail inevitably leads to banged-up rocker panels. To help prevent or prolong rocker damage, your Bronco's side steps should offer outstanding rocker protection. 

Lastly, your Bronco's side steps should feature the right aesthetics. Now, this particular consideration is a bit subjective; however, as a rugged off-road vehicle, the 6th-gen Bronco needs a pair of side steps with equally aggressive styling. For us, that means angular lines, black coatings, and robust construction.

We recommend frame-mount options over traditional rocker-mount steps for the utmost strength and durability. Unlike rocker-mount steps, frame-mount steps affix directly to your Bronco’s steel frame, protecting your Bronco’s sheet metal rocker panels against bumps and bruises on the trail.

Side Step Variances

Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s cover some of the differences you’ll encounter when side-step shopping. After all, no two side steps are the same! These accessories come in countless styles, materials, finishes, and other variances.

Styles

One of the most notable differences between side steps is styling. Side steps come in numerous types, offering alternative aesthetics and characteristics. Some of the most popular side step styles we offer include:

• Running Boards: This popular side step style focuses primarily on accessibility, featuring a wide, flat step surface that stretches the length of the cab. Running boards come in fixed-position and power retractable varieties. 

• Nerf Bars: These tubular side steps are another popular option, typically featuring a round or oval main tube with composite step pads at each door. 

• Sliders: Whereas running boards focus primarily on accessibility, sliders emphasize protection. These steps tuck high and tight against your Bronco’s rocker panels, guarding the delicate sheet metal against impacts and abrasions on the trail. 

• Hoop Steps: These steps feature a tightly tucked main tube with individual drop steps at each door.

Fixed Position vs. Retractable

Moving on from styles, we have fixed-position vs. retractable steps. Fixed position steps feature solid mounting brackets bolted to your Bronco’s frame or rocker panels. These steps come locked into a fixed position and, while sturdy, may negatively impact ground clearance on the trail. 

Alternatively, retractable steps feature electric motors and hinged mounting brackets, allowing them to pivot beneath the rockers when not in use and deploy from their resting position when you or a passenger opens a door. While convenient, retractable steps are pricey and offer little to no rocker protection.

Mounting Configuration

Another step variance includes mounting configuration. As previously mentioned, steps come in frame-mount and rocker-mount designs, but what’s the difference? As each mounting style’s name suggests, frame-mount steps affix to your Bronco’s frame, whereas rocker-mount steps bolt to your Bronco’s sheet metal rocker panels. 

Frame-mount steps are considerably stronger, offering exceptional rigidity and durability to guard against abrasions and impacts on the trail. Though sturdy, frame-mount steps also feature labor-intensive installation procedures, often requiring cutting, drilling, or even welding to the frame! Alternatively, rocker-mount steps offer simple, bolt-on installations; however, they aren’t quite as tough as their frame-mounted counterparts. This being said, rocker-mount steps are plenty durable for street-driven Broncos.

Materials

Side steps also come in various materials, although most manufacturers stick to three alloys, including: 

• Carbon Steel: This alloy offers exceptional strength and impact resistance. Still, it’s heavy and prone to corrosion. Carbon steel is tough to beat for abuse-prone items like sliders and heavy-duty bumpers, so long as it’s treated with a suitable coating or plating! 

• Stainless Steel: Featuring all the good qualities of carbon steel with none of the bad, stainless steel is a sturdy and naturally corrosion-resistant alloy featuring a high chromium content. 

• Aluminum: While not as robust as steel or stainless steel, aluminum is incredibly light and naturally corrosion-resistant. Most retractable steps feature cast aluminum constructions, reducing the load on the step’s electric motors.

Finishes

Lastly, side steps come in several finishes, not to be mistaken for colors. A ‘finish’ refers to the final plating or coating on a surface that affects its overall aesthetics and corrosion resistance. The most popular finishes include: 

• Paint: This finish offers similar durability to your Bronco’s painted body panels. While long-lasting, auto-grade paint is prone to chipping and scratching. 

• Powder Coat: This heat-cured polymer coating may look similar to paint, though it’s far more durable and resilient! Powder coating resists impacts, abrasions, oil/chemical contamination, and UV exposure, making it ideal for steps that see frequent trail use and abuse.  

• Chrome Plating: This lustrous coating involves applying a thin chromium layer over the base material, usually via electroplating. This finish is durable, corrosion-resistant, and has an unmatched shine! It’s also low maintenance, requiring little to no polishing or upkeep.  

• Polished: Though polished side steps may resemble chrome, the finish is far different. Polished steps involve sanding and polishing the base alloy to a mirror-like finish. Depending on the alloy–stainless steel or aluminum–polished steps may require frequent upkeep to retain their luster. Several manufacturers apply a clear topcoat over the polished metal, protecting the shine for years.

Top Bronco Side Steps: Expert’s Picks

Now that we’ve covered the special considerations when shopping for Bronco side steps and the common side step variances, let’s get into our expert’s top product picks! Our experts have selected side steps that pair well with the rugged capabilities of the Ford Bronco.

AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards

AMP Research is a leading name in the power-retractable running board market, dominating the industry with its original PowerStep. With a recent boom in the off-road-capable vehicle market, including your Bronco, AMP Research opted to bulk up its iconic PowerStep to withstand abuses on the trail: introducing the PowerStep Xtreme! 

The AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards take everything we love about the company’s best-selling power-retractable steps and improve upon them, adding a secondary electric motor on each side for superior opening and closing power. Whether caked in mud or shrouded in snow, these steps don’t quit! 

The PowerStep Xtreme offers all the same features as the company’s classic PowerStep, including durable cast aluminum construction, integrated LED convenience lighting, and an extra-wide 6-inch step surface. AMP Research includes everything necessary for a straightforward installation on your Bronco and backs each order with a 5-year limited warranty.

Features:

• Highly capable electric-powered running boards made for extreme environments

• Premium, dual-motor design automatically deploys and retracts

• Corrosion-resistant cast-aluminum construction

• Anodized and coated in military-grade PTFE 

• Massive 6” wide step area

• Textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Integrated LED lighting

• Optional Override Switch is available for manual control

• Vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit included

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panels

• Newer applications connect to the OBDII port via a Plug-N-Play module

• Professional installation is recommended

• 5-year limited warranty

N-Fab Black EpYx Steps

While retractable steps are a flashy upgrade to most Broncos, they’re pricey and often lack sufficient rocker protection. Consider installing a set of durable and stylish N-Fab Black EpYx Steps to save your wallet and rockers!

N-Fab EpYx Steps feature a rugged all-steel construction and off-road-inspired hoop step styling. The main body of the steps tucks high and tight against the rocker panels while 15-inch wide, 4-inch deep drop steps extend below each door, significantly easing entry into your Bronco’s cab. For added protection, N-Fab finishes its EpYx Steps in a corrosion-resistant textured black powder coat. 

N-Fab Black EpYx Steps feature a simple no-drill installation, utilizing pre-drilled holes in your Bronco’s body. N-Fab backs the EpYx steps with a limited lifetime structural and 5-year finish warranty.  

Features: 

• Heavy-duty all-steel construction

• Welded end caps

• Corrosion-resistant textured black powder coat finish

• Rugged angular design

• Massive 15" long, 4" wide drop steps

• Slotted step pads for superior traction

• Vehicle-specific brackets and hardware

• Simple, no-drill installation

• Limited-lifetime structural warranty/5-year finish

N-Fab RKR Step System

If you’re looking for the best blend of rocker protection and entry assistance, check out the N-Fab RKR Step System! These rugged steps come in two parts: the durable 1.7-inch tubular steel RKR Rails and RKR bolt-on steps. Choose between running just the rails for superior rocker protection or affixing the additional steps for a low, non-slip step into the cab. When you’re on the trail, removing the steps is quick and easy, minimally affecting your Bronco’s ground clearance. 

The N-Fab RKR Step System comes finished in a heavy-duty, corrosion-resistant black powder coat for superior durability. Each order is made in the USA and backed by a 5-year finish and limited lifetime structural warranty. 

Features: 

• Cab-length N-Fab RKR Rails rest close to the cab for a clean look

• Durable 1.7" tubular steel construction

• Finished with a corrosion-resistant textured black powder-coating

• Optional RKR bolt-on steps are also available

• Mounts to the rocker panel

• Installation instructions and mounting kit are included

• Sold in pairs

• USA-made

• 5-year finish / lifetime structural warranty

Go Rhino RB10 Slim Running Boards

One of the most common complaints of fixed-position running boards is their bulky profile, negatively impacting your Bronco’s aesthetics and ground clearance! Fortunately, Go Rhino has the solution: The RB10 Slim Running Boards! These stylish, low-profile running boards feature an ultra-slim, 4-inch wide profile, tucking tightly against the body for a rugged appearance. 

But don’t let the RB10’s slim profile fool you; they also significantly ease entry into your Bronco’s cab! The 4-inch wide step area features precision-cut slats, redirecting mud, dirt, snow, and other contaminants through the running boards! Go Rhino also offers your choice of textured black powder coat or bedliner finishes, creating a non-slip surface. 

The RB10 Slim Running Boards feature a simple, no-drill installation. Go Rhino backs each order with a 5-year limited warranty. 

Features: 

• Heavy-duty 16-gauge galvanized steel construction

• Offered in bedliner coating and textured powder coat

• The 4" step width provides plenty of step-area

• Step surface stays free from mud, dirt, and snow by falling through the angled slats

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

• Includes vehicle-specific mounting hardware and installation instructions

• Easy, no-drill installation

• Same aggressive raptor styling as other RB Series Steps

• 5-year limited warranty

Go Rhino Dominator DS Sliders

For maximum rocker protection, it’s tough to beat the Go Rhino DS Sliders. These heavy-duty tubular steel steps feature a full-length step pad, rub rail, and square-tube slider, offering outstanding rocker protection and accessibility! Whenever you take your rig on the trail, you can count on your Go Rhino Dominator DS Sliders to keep your Bronco’s body in tip-top shape. 

The Go Rhino Dominator DS Sliders feature a removable alloy step plate with dimple-died details, adding style and traction. The plates are easily removable with conventional hand tools, allowing easy cleaning and paint touch-ups. That being said, don’t count on any issues with the durable textured powder coat finish! 

These steps include all necessary brackets, hardware, and instructions for a simple no-drill installation. Go Rhino backs the Dominator DS Sliders with a limited lifetime structural and 5-year finish warranty. 

Features:  

• Durable tubular steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant black powder-coat finish

• Removable anti-slip steel step pad

• Simple, no-drill installation

• Includes Dominator Xtreme Mount Kit and install guide

• Limited lifetime structural / 5-year finish warranty