Jeep Wrangler JL 4-Door Smittybilt SRC Side Step Bars Review & Install

[@extremeterrain]

Shop these Smittybilt SRC Side Steps: terrain.jp/2ZrFHi4 Subscribe for Daily Jeep Videos: terrain.jp/SubscribeXTyt

[@aairhartjr]

This is such a robust step / rock rail. Install took me a couple of hours as I was by myself but fit like a glove on my 2020 JLU. As another user mentioned, the hardware was updated with now only having one nut plate on a stick per side and the others being just a bit plate with 2 bolts each side. I left all hardware loose and then tightened it all once I had everything in place.

[@mchestnut1970]

I just got mine today and those nut plates are really confusing and this install video does t really help with the one plate that doesn’t have the long piece that you have to adjust to line up for the bolts. Any suggestions

[@eda7875]

I installed these back in 2019, and this video is still old. But the installation is still very similar. These are very solid steps that mount to the frame to offer actual protection. I love them, and they've taken quite a hit offroad. Still holding with 0 issues.

[@JeanOi]

Not sure if the video is wrong, or if Smittybilt changed their included hardware pack, but this video does not represent the work that needs to be done on the front mounting points. My hardware kit included: - x2 nutplates, with 2 holes each - x2 plates with 2 holes each, and no tabs, to be used as spacers. - x2 wired nutplates with 1 hole each. Printed instructions are crap. Small, outdated, black and white tiny pictures. The trick is, BEFORE placing the side step, to drop the 2 holes nutplates in the frame, and align it with the holes in the frame where the front mounting point of the side step will be. If you dont do that before fitting the side step, you will loose your easiest point of access to easily place the nutplate in the frame. After that, it's pretty straigthforward. Position the side step, use the 2 holes plate as spacer on the front mounting point, between the side step and the frame. (not even sure you really need it actually) Feed the wired plate to finish the front mount install.

[@txwolfman07]

The video is using an outdated set of H/W I believe. Drop the unwired nutplate in first, then get the rails into position and get the 2 lower front bolts started. Next feed the wired nutplate in. Vise grips makes it easier to turn and control the wire while you start the bolt. Tighten those 3 up first. THEN you can put on the 4 body mount bolts. Once I figured this out, the other side was a breeze.

[@mchestnut1970]

I mean yes this is a two year old video. Please ET do another install video. This one is outdated and there are a lot of us that love this mod. So if you can show us a better install video. We would really appreciate it

[@jameskaiktsian1937]

I know this is for JLU but for the JT how the heck do you get the u bolts installed?

[@tiffanyreyes7595]

This video doesn’t match the hardware that’s coming with the package. Also doesn’t show how to install those thin metal pieces that go on before the side steps. There’s comments on here that are more useful than this video. Instructions in the package are also useless, but at least the actual side steps are great once we spent an hour and half doing trial and error for the first side

[@huskymoto9207]

What I would like to know is do I lose Any ground clearance?. It looks like the bottom bar comes down below the frame a bit. They look bulky so does it make the jeep more proned to drag or get hung up on big rocks or boulders if decided to go rock crawling?

[@kevinorourke932]

These instructions are no longer accurate for a Jeep JL. There is now a nut plate that needs to be inserted into the frame. It’s not that difficult but if you don’t insert the nut plate first and secure those two bolts first, you will have to start over.

[@grtelli]

When is Smitty coming our with a Gladiator version of these rails?

[@chongo333]

Smittybilt 79634

[@slimchocolatito4081]

Do you have to change your suspension after you put these on?

[@extremeterrain]

Nope! You can put these on a Jeep with stock suspension without any issues. -Zach

[@insulinman14]

I just received this in and mine came with different nut plates. I have two with the tabs, and two with no tabs and two holes. And the instructions from Smittybilt are horrible and seem like the wrong model. Makes zero sense to me.

[@extremeterrain]

Hey, Matt! Sorry about the confusion there. Please give our customer service team a call or email and we can definitely get you taken care of! 1-877-870-8556 or [e-mail] -Zach

[@melissa5817]

@@extremeterrain we are having the same issue and got ZERO help from the customer service guy.

[@aria51]

Same question from my end. Just got mine and not sure what to do with the “no tab” plates. Treat it like a washer??? Also only have to wired nuts total whereas the video uses two to the one side. What do we do here?

[@Kai-gj7mk]

same here... I didn't use the washer plates because the instructions didn't call for them. They slightly modified the instructions as well. Only 2 wire nut plates. The there are 2 nutplates for the bottom front with no wires but luckily i have long skinny fingers and got them through and bolted 2 M12 bolts with washers to them.

[@superdupercop18]

Do these bolt on to the frame rails or the pinch welds?

[@superdupercop18]

In the video, it says "body mounts" but I'm not sure if that hinges on the frame. Just new to this myself.

[@extremeterrain]

@@superdupercop18 These guys mount to the frame using the body bolts. -Zach

[@JeepinReefer406]

@@superdupercop18 these also come with plates to cover the ugly pinch weld! Bonus!