Why Do You Need Jeep Gladiator Rock Sliders In 2023? (+Best Options)

Want to go off-roading but don’t know anything about Jeep Gladiator rock sliders? Then you’ll need sturdy, durable, and modern rock sliders.

If you’re not equipped with the best rock sliders, you’ll have a hard time driving on unsurfaced roads. Don’t worry, though.

We’ve made it so that you would only have three options to choose from. That way, you won’t spend unnecessary time scrolling through hundreds of rock sliders on Amazon.

Want to know more? Then read up!

What are Jeep Rock Sliders?

Rock sliders are just aftermarket parts that protect your truck when off-roading far away from home.

For example, If you plan on taking your truck off-road and you want to protect your cab and undercarriage, we recommend getting rock sliders.

Running boards are also pretty popular among drivers, but unlike rock sliders, running boards only protect your vehicle from the day-to-day stuff.

Therefore, they are not suitable for serious off-roading and camping for your jeep gladiator.

Benefits of Installing a Rock Slider in a Jeep Gladiator

Don’t know if it’s worth getting rock sliders for your Jeep Gladiator? Then here are some reasons why you should get one:

Perfect for Driving  on Unsurfaced Roads

Off-roading is fun when you’re pushing your truck’s limits in remote places. But things can take a different turn when your vehicle repeatedly hits rocks—that is, if your car is not adequately equipped.

To avoid costly repairs, get rock sliders. They are not as expensive and will protect your vehicle.

They Don’t Stand out As Much

We know pretty well that many drivers do not like running boards. They look ugly, and some of them stick out too much.

However, rock sliders don’t stand out as much. They are designed to protect your truck from rocks and stumps.

They add some aesthetics, but they don’t stick out as much as running boards.

Make it Easier to Get In

Another cool thing about rock sliders is that they make it easier for you to get inside your Jeep. Simply step on the frame, and you’ll be inside in seconds.

Even if you get inside just fine, your passengers might appreciate it.

They Are Easy to Install

Besides adding all this protection to your truck, rock sliders are pretty easy to install.

3 Best Jeep Gladiator Rock Sliders Reviews 2021

If you’re driving over rocks in some remote location on your own, you need to get the best rock sliders for your Jeep Gladiator.

That said, consider these models for your next journey:

01. Smittybilt 77634 Rock Sliders – Best Overall

 

Highlighted Features

• Wear-resistant
• Bolt-on design
• 2-inch rock sliders
• Heavy-duty tubes

The Smittybilt 77634 is our top pick for Jeep rock sliders with step. It has about everything that you need for those serious off-roaders that need to protect their trucks.

Right out of the box, this model positions itself as one of the most elegant rock sliders on the market.

It features a modern and sleek texture that changes the appearance of your vehicle.

That’s cool and everything, but our favorite feature is that it has a heavy-duty steel tube, meaning that these rock sliders are incredibly durable, and you won’t have to worry about damage as you come down on a rock stump.

Apart from that, they are 2-inches with a rounded rube. So you can rest assured knowing you won’t break them as you’re driving.

Moreover,It’s not meant to make getting in and out easier, but you could take some advantage of those two inches.

Better yet, this is a bolt-on design, which means you don’t have to use professional tools to set it up, which makes the setup easier, unlike weld-on rock sliders.

“One thing consumers have pointed out is that the instructions they included for these rock sliders are quite confusing. They’re not meant for this model. So, you might spend a while to get this thing up and running.”

What We Liked

• Easy to install
• Hold up pretty well
• Make your truck look better
• Protection from wheel-to-wheel

What We Didn’t Like

• Instructions are somewhat confusing

02. n-FAB J1980T Rock Sliders – Best for Stepping On

 

Highlighted Features

• 3-inch rock sliders
• Powder coat finish
• Welded construction
• Wear-resistant

Serious off-roaders will appreciate the extra protection these Jeep Gladiator bed rock sliders from N-FAB offer.

With a time-tested design, this is one of the most elegant and modern designs we’ve come across so far.

They feature a gorgeous finish, which makes them stand out. But its winning feature is that this finish holds up pretty well.

So you can rest assured knowing it won’t peel off as easy.

As far as the installation process goes, we’re pretty happy with it.

This model is a bolt-on design, which is relatively easy to install. It might take some time, depending on your experience, but you shouldn’t have much trouble.

These are not necessarily specialized for getting in and out of the vehicle. However, these rock sliders are large enough so that you can easily step on them.

Moreover, we love that these rock sliders do not stick out as much compared to other running boards.

This is especially useful for those folks who want to make it easier for their family to get inside but don’t want to ruin their truck’s aesthetics.

“As we said before, this finish holds up pretty well. However, some reviewers have complained that it’s not always the case.”

What We Liked

• Modern design
• Make it easier to get inside
• Easy to install
• Gorgeous finish

What We Didn’t Like

• Debris might build around them

03. Tyger Auto ‎TG-SS2J35198 Rock Sliders – Best for Price

 

Highlighted Features

• Anti-slip pads
• Weather-proof
• Bolt-on construction
• Oval tube design

Having trouble choosing rock sliders for Jeep Gladiator? Well, then you might want to give these rock sliders from Tyger Auto Store a shot.

They get the job done for a reasonable price.

Although there’s some bad stigma around the word “cheap,” these rock sliders are good enough for anybody who wants an affordable upgrade to change up their truck’s appearance.

We can’t stretch it out enough, but we love to keep it simple. We don’t want any unnecessary steps to set up rock sliders.

That said, they are bolt-on, just like the previous two models, meaning you’ll breeze through the installation.

But apart from that, we love that they added enough padding space so that you or anybody getting inside the truck could easily hop in.

For instance, it is 3.5-inches, which is enough for most folks.

Other than that, we love just how durable these rock sliders are. They are designed to withstand water, dirt, and many other elements that could damage your rock sliders.

One thing we absolutely love about these rock sliders is that the pads are anti-slip. This is helpful if you’ve been driving in the rain for hours and want to get out of the car.

You’d be surprised by how easy it is to forget that the pads are wet and slippery.

“We said that this model is pretty easy to install, but some reviewers seem to have a little bit of a hard time figuring it out. But other than that, we don’t have anything negative to say.”

What We Liked

• Premium design
• Easy to step on
• Water-resistant
• Safe on rainy days

What We Didn’t Like

• It might be hard to install

How to Choose a Jeep Gladiator Rock Slider

Manufacturers have settled on specific standards to make the best Jeep Gladiator rear rock sliders.

Knowing all these features will allow you to get the most out of your money. That said, here’s what you need to know:

Bolt-On or Weld-On

Weld-on sliders are unnecessarily expensive if you don’t know how to install them. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay somebody close to $200 to have them welded on.

That’s a bit pricey, considering that you could get bolt-on sliders and install them within an hour. Furthermore, some drivers do not want to weld anything on their trucks.

For example, if you want to take them off down the line, weld-on sliders are a terrible idea.

With bolt-on sliders, on the other hand, you can remove them any time you want with essential household tools.

However, the biggest difference between bolt-on and weld-on sliders is that the latter is stronger, making the weld-on sliders an excellent choice if you want durability and don’t plan on removing them.

Material

Another thing you want to keep in mind when purchasing rock sliders is the material. As a rule of thumb, always get rock sliders that are made of alloy steel.

For instance, one of the main advantages of alloy steel is that it is corrosion resistant and holds up pretty well.

This is super helpful when pushing the limits of your vehicle in some remote location.

Furthermore, if you don’t plan on replacing your rock sliders any time soon, alloy steel will help you conserve your sliders and save yourself some money.

Anti-slip Pads

Before you spend any money on Jeep Gladiator rock sliders, make sure that the pads are anti-slip. No, seriously, this is something you would not wish on your worst enemy.

Your new rock sliders could be cold and covered in snow, and you could be the next person to take a header into the floor as you’re getting out of the truck.

It is easy to assume that all rock sliders are anti-slip, but they are not. So, take some time, do your research, and get one that won’t land you in the hospital.

Diameter

You might have noticed that you can get rock sliders in 2-inch and 3-inch diameter. However, the “ideal” size is up to you.

But you should know that the short ones can make it hard for people to step on. The bigger your rock sliders are, the easier it will be to step on.

This also means that your rock sliders might stick out too much, which can be annoying for those who hate changing up the appearance of their vehicles.

Thickness

The industry standard is 0.120″ thick. It is cheap, light, and gets the job done. So far, 0.120″ wall is the standard and what you should aim for when getting rock sliders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here you will find common customers questions about rock sliders:

Are Rock Sliders worth it?

Yes! Rock sliders are worth your money if you plan on off-roading. But if you don’t like the appearance and only need them once in a while, get bolt-on sliders.

These types of rock sliders are easy to install and remove.

Are Rock Sliders legal?

Yes, rock sliders are legal. The only problem is all the extra weight. Other than that, you should have nothing to worry about.

However, it would help to check your local laws before spending money on sliders.

Can you use rock sliders as steps?

You can use rock sliders as steps. However, keep in mind that most rock sliders are not designed to be used as steps, but you can always find sliders that stick out more than normal.

They won’t be as reliable as steps but still good enough to get the job done.

Do Rock sliders reduce clearance?

Unfortunately, rock sliders reduce some ground clearance. It’s not as much as running boards, but it still noticeable enough.

Bottom Line

In total, we went through three Jeep Gladiator rock sliders, which we believe to be the best aftermarket rock sliders available.

As we said before, you don’t need to go through hundreds of models to find the perfect fit. It is confusing and exhausting.

Get one of our top picks, and your Jeep Gladiator will thank you for it.