[JKashat]

Vehicle: 2012 JKUR Rubicon with 3.5" AEV Suspension*
*Daily Driver, will take off-road everynow and then.

I'm 5'9-5'10, and my wife is 5'4-5'5.
We have a 2 year old and another on the way.
Back seats will have infant and toddler car seats.
86 year old dad will occasionally need to get in and out of Rig.

R-SE Step Slider... http://www.rockslideengineering.com...le&id=76:step-slider&catid=36:armor&Itemid=18
Pros (IMO):
-Power Step
-Good looks
-Rock Rail/Slider
-Can actually off-road with
-LED Lights
-Override switch
Cons (IMO):
-Drilling into body
-Noisy
-Narrow Step
-Not full width
-More dificult install
-More parts to fail

Bestop/Amp research Powerboard... http://www.quadratec.com/products/12562_0040_07.htm
Pros (IMO):
-Power Step
-Quiet
-Full width Step
-Wide Step
-LED Lights
-Override Switch
-Length Option
Cons (IMO):
-Durability
-Requires removal of Rubicon Rock Rails
-Cannot Offroad with installed
-Sticks out past body

I wish either the R-Se Step Slider didn't require drilling into the body OR the Bestop Powerboard allowed for the Rubicon Rock Rails not to be removed and tucked up and behind them.

Which one should I get?
Why?

Thanks!

 

[jaker]

Do you lose your rubi rails on both of them

 

[JKashat]

Do you lose your rubi rails on both of them

Yes, but at least with the R-SE Step Slider it acts as Slider too. The Bestop Powerboard requires removal of the Rubicon Rocak Rail but is only a power step offering no protection.

 

[jaker]

found this
http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18115

 

[JKashat]

found this
http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18115

Thanks, I'm aware of this thread. That is part of what sparked my interest. But, I didn't want to threadjack.

 

[jeepaddons-chris]

Yep, you do.

I've only seen the powerboard in person and have personally installed one (left the wiring to the shop guys though... I don't do electrical ). It is designed for comfort and usability in mind and not for extreme offroading by any stretch. I tried every way I could to figure out a way to make these work with the Rubi rails, but it's not gonna happen.

They're a killer product, but just keep in mind what they're used for. It sounds to me like the Powerboard is right up your alley.

 

[jaker]

Thanks, I'm aware of this thread. That is part of what sparked my interest. But, I didn't want to threadjack.

the reason i posted it to show where the step is in the rail , that would be my main concern if you hit right it could damage the step part , but beside that i say go for the r-se one , drilling into the body is not that bad as it sounds

 

[JKashat]

the reason i posted it to show where the step is in the rail , that would be my main concern if you hit right it could damage the step part , but beside that i say go for the r-se one , drilling into the body is not that bad as it sounds

True about the position of the step in the slider. But, realistically (for me) based on the off-roading I would do, I don't think I'd ever hit that, and at least I'd still have "Protection". I like the full length and deeper width of the Bestop, but I don't like that there is no protection at all and that they look like a useful afterthought where the R-SE looks more integrated. I just don't like drilling into visible areas on vehicles if I don't have to, especially cuz I tend to change parts out as new more appealing options become available.

 

[jaker]

so why do you want the power steps then , i have these and by no means are they a slider but they fold down as steps and you puill a lever and the fold up

and i am 5'5 and my wife is 5'4 with a 4" lift on 37's and we have no problem getting in
http://www.jcwhitney.com/retractable-slider-step/p2021153.jcwx

 

[JKashat]

so why do you want the power steps then , i have these and by no means are they a slider but they fold down as steps and you puill a lever and the fold up

and i am 5'5 and my wife is 5'4 with a 4" lift on 37's and we have no problem getting in
http://www.jcwhitney.com/retractable-slider-step/p2021153.jcwx

I guess I don't "Need" a power step. I just thought it'd be cool, convenient, and effortless. But, don't think I'd want to loose the looks or protection. Unless, the Powerboard could be fairly easily removed and replaced with the OEM Rock Rails for Weekend offroad adventures.

 

[jeepaddons-chris]

It's not, so I retract my statement on the retractable, lol. It's not right up your alley.

Have those rampage ones on a JK here. They've taken hits at Windrock and still work just fine. Not as beefy as a dedicated slider, but tougher than the Bestop one. Installation was a breeze.