Rock rail replacements

[MyNewOvrTrl]

My new Overtrail + arrived 68 miles ago. The OT is better than expected except the Rock Rails. Despite looking very good they just are not practical. They are so narrow and close to the body of the vehicle I can barely use them to climb into the cab and are useless for exiting.

What after market replacements do your recommend? I do not need retractable running boards just ones that are wide enough to be useful.

 

[Bluegill]

I'm very happy with my Westcott Designs sliders with the zero degree (flat) step. Very useful for my young boys and my mother, also very useful for standing on while accessing the roof rack.

 

[Bluegill]

Here is my write-up:

Member Build - Overtrail Upgrades

 

[MyNewOvrTrl]

My new Overtrail + arrived 68 miles ago. The OT is better than expected except the Rock Rails. Despite looking very good they just are not practical. They are so narrow and close to the body of the vehicle I can barely use them to climb into the cab and are useless for exiting.

What after market replacements do your recommend? I do not need retractable running boards just ones that are wide enough to be useful.

Sounds like a very good recommendation and pictures look great. How much usable width is available with the door open and stepping in or out of the OT?

 

[Bluegill]

Here are a few pics with my size 13's making their foot model debut:

(Note that the tape measure is showing about 4.5" and that is approximately the exposed part from directly under the door opening to the outer edge....the actual step is 6.5" wide from outer edge to outer edge)

 

[MyNewOvrTrl]

Thank you very much! I believe those will work great - big improvement over the factory installed rails. 6 weeks waiting time?

 

[Bluegill]

Mine took about 3 months but they should have a handle on production by now.

 

[1mikezat1]

May we have the link to the Westcott Designs' running boards, please? I cannot find it on its website. I have the same issue with my 25 OT that came with Port Installed Rock Sliders. My wife is 4'9" and has to use a portable stool to get in and out omitting some unflattering words.

 

[kscarrol]

All New 2024 Lexus GX 550 Rock Sliders by Westcott Designs

The Westcott Designs Rock Sliders for the All-New 2024 Lexus GX 550. Our sliders are laser cut, hand built, and hand welded which make them some of the best on the market.

westcottdesigns.net

 

[Larry]

My new Overtrail + arrived 68 miles ago. The OT is better than expected except the Rock Rails. Despite looking very good they just are not practical. They are so narrow and close to the body of the vehicle I can barely use them to climb into the cab and are useless for exiting.

What after market replacements do your recommend? I do not need retractable running boards just ones that are wide enough to be useful.

I have never owned a vehicle with running boards. How do you use them to exit the vehicle? It seems like a rock rail would be easier to slide your leg over then directly to the ground.

 

[Bluegill]

I generally step over the Westcott running board/rock rail to exit and it does sometimes rub your leg a bit. Or you can step onto the running board and then step down to the ground but I don't really need to. I typically don't even use the running board when I'm entering the truck. I bought these for my kids and my mother to use. The kids can scramble up there without them but my 84 year old mother can't. They also make a big difference for the kids - they no longer have to climb with their hands and feet - they just step up & in. Besides convenience, they will also protect my doors and the sills under the doors from rocks off road. I use my truck off road and if you bang the sill, you can really mess things up (doors won't open and/or close and insurance may even total it).

 

[Bluegill]

For reference, my Westcott rock sliders have the following options chosen from the options list on their website:

No kickout (this is the part that bends outward under the rear door - the purpose is to kick the vehicle/rear tire away from an obstacle if you are truly sliding along an obstacle such as a big rock or tree).

HREW material (Hot Rolled Electrically Welded) with MIG welding....the DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel) is supposed to be stronger, with DOM TIG welding being the strongest options (and most expensive). I don't plan on bashing my truck on the rocks so the HREW should be fine for me.

Zero degree (flat step)

Top plates added

Powder coated black

I guess I received hardware kit 1 because my frame had the pre-threaded holes.

I picked mine up from Westcott and installed them myself. My total was $1399.99 plus $120.40 tax for a total of $1520.39.

 

[Kevinjs1]

I’m currently in a 6 week waiting period for my Westcott sliders to be produced.

 

[ISU3GX]

My OT+ came with the Lexus rock rails (port installed option). Their build material and quality is good, they seem quite stout and they are externally comparable to the BAMF rails I had on my Tacoma. I have not hit them on anything (yet).

Having said that, I have Dissent Off Road rock rail/steps on order. The GX sits high enough that my 5’ 4” spouse wanted a step and the Lexus rails do not work at all to assist with vehicle entry.

Expecting my Dissent step/rails in June/July will share pictures and will weigh the Lexus rails coming off and the Dissent that are going on.

 

[Bluegill]

The Westcott sliders were noticeably heavier, not surprising

 

[Larry]

I generally step over the Westcott running board/rock rail to exit and it does sometimes rub your leg a bit. Or you can step onto the running board and then step down to the ground but I don't really need to. I typically don't even use the running board when I'm entering the truck. I bought these for my kids and my mother to use. The kids can scramble up there without them but my 84 year old mother can't. They also make a big difference for the kids - they no longer have to climb with their hands and feet - they just step up & in. Besides convenience, they will also protect my doors and the sills under the doors from rocks off road. I use my truck off road and if you bang the sill, you can really mess things up (doors won't open and/or close and insurance may even total it).

Thanks that helps. Yes climbing in it could be a big help. Climbing out though seems more difficult.

 

[MyNewOvrTrl]

I have never owned a vehicle with running boards. How do you use them to exit the vehicle? It seems like a rock rail would be easier to slide your leg over then directly to the ground.

The running boards on my last 3 trucks were much wider than Rock Rails and not angled up. Standing on them was easy whether entering or exiting the vehicle. Side note - I did not know until a few days ago that rock rails are not running boards. They are installed to protect the vehicle from rock/boulder damage when climbing over rough terrain not for climbing into or out of the vehicle.