Best Jeep Wrangler Nerf Bars, Side Steps, and Running Boards

Jeep Wrangler-Specific Considerations

When shopping for Jeep Wrangler side steps, you’ll need to consider a few factors that typically wouldn't apply to other applications, like rugged aesthetics, durability, and rocker protection. Jeep Wranglers are exceptionally off-road-capable out of the box, and as a result, their fan base tends to lean toward wheelers, outdoorsmen, and adventure-types. 

Trekking off-road through challenging terrain can subject a Jeep and its side steps to significant abuse. When ordering a set for your build, you’ll need a product that’s durable enough to withstand routine impacts and abrasions on the trail, ensuring a long service life aboard your Jeep! You’ll also want something that offers comprehensive rocker protection, preventing unsightly dings and dents to your Jeep’s body.

Speaking of strength, we’d also recommend frame-mount steps over traditional rocker-mount options, especially if your Jeep sees its fair share of dirt miles. Frame-mount steps offer exceptional strength and durability, ideal for bouncing over rocks and other obstacles without incurring damage.

Side Step Variances

Now, let’s discuss some of the variances you’ll encounter when shopping for side steps. No two steps are the same; these accessories come in countless styles, materials, and finishes, ensuring a product that suits the needs and preferences of every Jeeper!

Styles

Side steps come in numerous styles. Some of the most popular include:

• Running Boards: A popular side step style featuring a wide, flat step that runs the length of the cab. These steps typically attach to your Jeep’s rocker panels and offer moderate rocker protection; however, not nearly as much as other styles on the market. 

• Nerf Bars: A tubular side step most commonly featuring a single oval or round tube that runs the length of the cab. Nerf bars often feature individual step pads beneath each door, preventing slipping and sliding. 

• Sliders: Rugged steps engineered for maximum protection. Sliders typically bolt to the frame, ensuring adequate strength to withstand bumps and bruises on the trail without severely deforming. While these steps may not offer as much assistance into the cab, they’re highly durable.  

• Hoop Steps: A minimalist step featuring individual hoops at each door. These hoops are either separate or attached to a central tube positioned tightly against the rocker panels.

Fixed Position vs. Retractable

Aside from the styles listed above, steps also come in fixed position and retractable types. Fixed position steps bolt to the chassis and remain in a fixed position at all times; no motors, collapsible brackets, or flashy features. While sturdy, fixed position steps tend to negatively impact ground clearance at the center of your Jeep, reducing its breakover angle. 

Alternatively, retractable side steps tuck tightly against the rocker panels when not in use. Once activated, typically by opening a door, retractable steps automatically deploy! These steps have a minimal effect on ground clearance and aesthetics, which makes them a popular choice in the off-road community. However, these features come at a cost. Most retractable steps come in well over a thousand dollars!

Mounting Configuration

As previously mentioned, side steps come in two popular mounting configurations: frame-mount and rocker-mount. Frame-mount steps offer outstanding strength, affixing directly to your Jeep’s durable steel frame. These steps are ideal for off-road rigs, offering enhanced durability to prevent rocker panel damage while bouncing over rocks, felled trees, and other obstacles on the trail.  

Alternatively, we also offer traditional rocker-mount steps, which utilize existing holes in your Jeep’s sheet metal for mounting. While not as sturdy as frame-mount options, rocker-mount steps offer simple bolt-on installations and more than enough strength for street-driven applications.

Materials

Another variance you’ll see when browsing side steps is construction. Though most manufacturers employ alloys for maximum strength, they use a few different materials. The most common include: 

• Carbon Steel: Strong, durable, yet heavy and prone to corrosion. Carbon steel is an excellent material for manufacturing sliders and steps so long as it receives a suitable coating or plating! 

• Stainless Steel: This alloy blends steel's strength and durability with chrome's superior corrosion resistance. Stainless steel is a durable alloy with a high chromium content, preventing unsightly rust and oxidation.

• Aluminum: Lightweight, durable, and naturally corrosion-resistant; what more could you want? Aluminum, while not as robust as steel or stainless steel, is by far the lightest alloy on the list.

Finishes

Lastly, we have several finishes. Side steps come in multiple, ranging from coatings to platings, which affect their final appearance and corrosion resistance. Some of the most common finishes include: 

• Paint: Automotive-grade paint finishes offer similar durability to your Jeep’s body panels. While durable against the elements, painted steps are prone to chipping and scratching. 

• Powder Coat: A heat-cured polymer coating offering exceptional durability. Powder coating is impact, abrasion, oil, chemical, and UV resistant. 

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

• Polished: Polished steps may resemble chrome; however, the finish comes from sanding the alloy with a fine grit abrasive and machine polishing to a mirror-like finish. Depending on the alloy, polished steps may require frequent upkeep to retain their luster.

Top Jeep Wrangler Side Steps: Expert’s Picks

With the different side step types covered, let’s get into our expert’s top step picks! Our experts have selected side steps that suit the off-road-ready Jeep Wrangler, offering exceptional durability, rocker protection, and rugged aesthetics to match!

AMP Research PowerStep

The AMP Research PowerStep is the original power running board, featuring a durable extruded aluminum body, lightweight single-motor design, and a massive 6-inch-wide, non-slip step surface for easy entry into your Jeep’s cab. 

These steps retract tightly against your Jeep’s rocker panels when not in use, retaining its tall ground clearance and high breakover angle while on the trail. However, once deployed, these drop lower than nearly all fixed-position steps on the market, making climbing into the cab a breeze! 

Features:

• The original electric-powered running board

• Premium, single-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Corrosion-resistant die-cast aluminum construction

• Military-grade black PTFE coating

• 6-inch wide, cab-length steps

• Textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Low-profile integrated LED courtesy lights

• Optional Override Switch is available for manual control

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

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

• Professional installation recommended

• 5-year limited warranty

AMP Research PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards

Next, we have another product by AMP Research: The PowerStep Xtreme Running Boards! These running boards take everything there is to love about the company’s original design and improve upon it, resulting in a bigger, badder, and more durable side step! 

AMP Research Xtreme Running Boards are built for severe-duty applications, like a trail-ready Jeep Wrangler! These steps feature a durable dual-motor design for superior retraction and deploying power, allowing them to cut through dense mud and thick ice with ease. They feature anodized aluminum construction with a military-grade PTFE Teflon coating, ensuring a long-lasting finish in even the harshest conditions. 

Features:

• Most capable electric-powered running boards, made for extreme environments

• Premium, dual-motor design automatically deploys and retracts boards

• Built with corrosion-resistant cast aluminum for strength and durability

• Anodized, then finished with a military-grade PTFE coating

• Step area is a massive 6 inches wide and runs the length of the cab

• Features textured, slip-resistant step surface

• Comes with integrated LED lighting

• Optional Override Switch is available for manual control

• Includes vehicle-specific installation guide and mount kit

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panel

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

• Professional installation is recommended

• 5-year limited warranty

Havoc HS2 Black Hoop Steps

While we often recommend power-retractable steps for wheelers, they come at a premium price tag. Fortunately, RealTruck offers several premium fixed-position steps with exceptional styling and durability at an affordable price point, like the Havoc HS2 Black Hoop Steps! 

These durable hoop steps feature a corrosion-resistant stainless steel construction and durable matte-black powder coat, preventing rust and scaling for the product’s lifetime! The aggressive hoop step design pairs perfectly with an off-road-inspired Jeep build, especially alongside tubular bumpers! 

Features:

• Durable stainless steel construction

• Protective matte-black powder coat finish

• 4.75" step width

• Simple, no-drill installation on most applications

• Sold in pairs

• Includes all hardware, bracketry, and thorough installation instructions

• Louvered step pads for superior grip

• Vehicle-specific fitment

• Limited 5-year warranty

N-Fab Rock Rails

Though N-Fab is known for its heavy-duty nerf bars and podium steps, one of our favorite products from the brand has to be the RKR Rock Rails: a rugged, one-piece slider system with removable side steps!

This system features a rugged, one-piece steel construction that tucks tightly against your Jeep’s rocker panels, ensuring maximum strength and durability. Optional RKR bolt-on steps make climbing into the cab a breeze; however, you can easily unbolt them with standard hand tools for maximum ground clearance on the trail. 

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 Dominator Xtreme DT Side Steps

Go Rhino Dominator Xtreme DT Side Steps are a rugged slider/step hybrid featuring a one-piece welded steel construction and a full-length rub bar! These steps offer outstanding rocker protection, guarding your Jeep’s delicate sheet metal against impacts and abrasions on the trail. Though they tuck tightly against the rockers, these steps offer a 2-inch-wide, non-slip step surface to ease entry.  

Features:

• Dual-purpose design functions as steps and rock sliders

• Durable mild steel construction

• Textured black powder coat finish

• Full-length rub bar features a tri-tube supporting design for extra strength

• 2" wide removable and paintable stepping surfaces

• Step pads have a hex-pattern punch-thru design for additional grip

• Mounts to vehicle's rocker panels (Frame Mount available on select applications)

• Comes with Dominator Xtreme Mount Kit and install guide

• Simple bolt-on installation requires no drilling 

• 5-year finish / lifetime structural warranty