Sidestep Install on frame instead of Body

[ElDee]

I have OEM sidesteps in NOS condition. I have held them for many, many years with the plan of eventually installing on my Scrambler. My Jeep advisor/mechanic/builder dislikes the pressure the original sidesteps place on the body. I have several questions for the CJ-8 Brain Trust:

1) Has anyone ever fabricated a "bracket" that would allow the OEM sidesteps to interface with the frame instead of the body?
2) opinions on the standard mounting as to the long-term damage to the body
3) If you used some other sidestep you would recommend I sure would like to see some

Thanks Team!

 

[ag4ever]

Mine did minimal damage to the body in 100,000 miles of hard use.

As long as you don’t jump up and down on them, I think the body is plenty strong.

(The seats are also mounted to the body, is that too much stress for the body?)

 

[Chamba]

Mine did minimal damage to the body in 100,000 miles of hard use.

As long as you don’t jump up and down on them, I think the body is plenty strong.

(The seats are also mounted to the body, is that too much stress for the body?)

Yes. My seat mounts were all stress cracked on the driver's side. I welded every one with a new captive nut welded to a 2" washer: problem solved.

 

[ElDee]

Mine did minimal damage to the body in 100,000 miles of hard use.

As long as you don’t jump up and down on them, I think the body is plenty strong.

(The seats are also mounted to the body, is that too much stress for the body?)

I would think direct downward pressure in the seat would not compare to torqued full weight on the sidestep. But I dunno

 

[Dutchmcl95]

I am in the process of welding some extensions for the OEDRO bars. this will allow me to use a longer bolt right into the body mounts. this is similar to how they mount on My full size truck. Strong and stable.

 

[Randyzzz]

I’ve always thought the frame mounted TJ steps might be a useful option. Lots of offset torque is a negative, but it’s on the frame, which is a positive.

 

[Interceptor]

Could you add a brace from step to frame? The weight would be transferring toward the frame then.

 

[gr8dain]

I have full length steps/rocker protection mounted to the frame. Solid. I love them. I am not going for the originality look. I wanted the protection. My wife wanted a step. Now that I am on 4.5 inches of lift and on 35s, she has yet to use them as steps (has not been in the Jeep since). But I admit that I use them constantly now.

They were locally made to the specs I wanted. Cost me $120 welded on. Could not beat that, unless I welded then myself.

 

[Kane]

I’ve always thought the frame mounted TJ steps might be a useful option. Lots of offset torque is a negative, but it’s on the frame, which is a positive.

That is what I did but I had to cut and modify them to work which was not all that bad.