Seeking opinion on Nerf side steps by Manik

[echo63]

I recently purchased a new-to-me 2001 Disco II . It came without side steps, and my 8-yr old daughter complains that the car access is a bit difficult . I searched the web and narrowed my choices down to either the genuine LR side steps at mucho $$$$$ or a nerf bar side step by Manik at half the price. Does anyone have experience with these nerfs by Manik? Are they quality product? Is it easy to install, i.e. no drilling required? Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated. By the way, the disco is driven by my wife to haul kids and groceries, and I only get to drive it when we go on family road trips, so it's safe to assume no off-roading, yet.

 

[rmuller]

I actually just took my running boards off from my 2001 DII.. I have to check the condition, but I'll be willing to part with them for a substantial reduction in cost from the original price. Let me know if you're interested and we'll see what we can come up with.

 

[MesaMay2003]

I had some of Manik side steps on my 99 D2 which I recently traded on my 04. They were a quality product, and while I did not install them, they did not require drilling. They won't help with offroading, but they look good and are solid...the kids loved them.

 

[jsonova99]

I had some of Manik side steps on my 99 D2 which I recently traded on my 04. They were a quality product, and while I did not install them, they did not require drilling. They won't help with offroading, but they look good and are solid...the kids loved them.

I'm curious, too, becuase I need something to stand on to get to my roof from teh side to tie down my kayaks. I hate standing on the sills because with sandy shoes you scratch everything up. I had manik nerf bars for my Wrangler though and they didn't fit right so I had to return them. Just want to make sure these fit alright.

 

[cmoore207]

Get some rovertym sliders! OK, yes they require drilling (but even I could handle the install, and I am a dolt), and yes you say you don't plan on offroading, BUT...

1) you never know what you might want to do in the future (the offroading bug will inevitably bite if you hang out here long enough!)

2) I don't know how much side steps cost, but they can't be too drastically different in price from the sliders

3) the step on the sliders is plenty big for stepping up into the truck (especially for small 8 year-old feet!) and I used mine all the time for stepping up to get my skis up onto the roof.

Food for thought!

 

[jsonova99]

Get some rovertym sliders! OK, yes they require drilling (but even I could handle the install, and I am a dolt), and yes you say you don't plan on offroading, BUT...

1) you never know what you might want to do in the future (the offroading bug will inevitably bite if you hang out here long enough!)

2) I don't know how much side steps cost, but they can't be too drastically different in price from the sliders

3) the step on the sliders is plenty big for stepping up into the truck (especially for small 8 year-old feet!) and I used mine all the time for stepping up to get my skis up onto the roof.

Food for thought!

How much are they? I can get the steps new for $170 + shipping or possibly used (waiting to hear) for $100 + shipping. I would love sliders, but at around $400, I can't justify it. I won't be doing any hardcore off-roading for the next 2 years. I basically just stick to light to moderate trail riding when I am taking the kayak somewhere, and in Florida especially, there are no rocks to slide on. We'll see, I'm not rushing out to buy anything yet.

 

[cmoore207]

Sounds like side steps are a lot cheaper than I would have guessed they would be! RTE sliders would run you $550 +shipping. Not cheap to be sure, but they are pretty awesome.

I justified the expense to myself by thinking about the money they could save me in repairs to body damage on tight, tree-lined trails. My dad did some really expensive damage to his truck when he hit a very small stump on a very tight trail that cause the back of the truck to hop about a foot to the right to slam the side into a tree. If that were to happen to my truck, the sliders's wings would save it. Aside from being so narrow, that trail was pretty much just a bumpy road, certainly what I would consider "light" off-roading.

 

[jsonova99]

Sounds like side steps are a lot cheaper than I would have guessed they would be! RTE sliders would run you $550 +shipping. Not cheap to be sure, but they are pretty awesome.

I justified the expense to myself by thinking about the money they could save me in repairs to body damage on tight, tree-lined trails. My dad did some really expensive damage to his truck when he hit a very small stump on a very tight trail that cause the back of the truck to hop about a foot to the right to slam the side into a tree. If that were to happen to my truck, the sliders's wings would save it. Aside from being so narrow, that trail was pretty much just a bumpy road, certainly what I would consider "light" off-roading.

Good point, you can never be too careful when it comes to protection off-road. Like I said, just poking around a little right now to see what's out there. It wouldn't take much to twist my arm into buying sliders though Actually, the thing I really like about sliders are the hi-lift jack points, that alone could sway me in that direction.

 

[Loydster]

I had the manik side steps on my ZR2 pickup. functionally they were great. fit well. looked good. easy install. worked perfectly as a step.

downsides. they stuck out far enough that if i didnt use them (Ii am tall enough that i didnt need them. my wife needed them) I would end up with crap down the back of my pants leg. ALso if you do scrape them during your ight offraoding make sure and repaint them. they rust fast.

 

[SCSL]

Sounds like side steps are a lot cheaper than I would have guessed they would be! RTE sliders would run you $550 +shipping.

But the side steps will break off road & you'll have to replace them anyway. Plus, as far as side-stepping, true side steps tend to get very dirty & ruin the cuff of your pants when you get out because they stick out a bit too far. Sliders serve as 'low profile' side steps too.

 

[Roverfire]

What about the ARB side steps? Are they any good?