Reviews for Go Rhino D14516T Dominator D1 Side Steps for 20-21 Jeep Gladiator JT
Full length step and accommodates lift kits and short people
Love them 100%
These steps were delivered three days after I purchased them. Packaged well, no damage, and all associated hardware present. Only issue was that they were shipped with directions for install on a Wrangler, when I am putting them on a 21 Gladiator. Had to look up and print the correct directions. Watched a couple videos on installation that helped. Based on the videos, I attached the brackets to the steps and then mounted them to the vehicle! Bolts are TIGHT. Put a little soap on the bolts and that seemed to do the trick. Mounted them myself, but recommend you have a second set of hands to make it easier! Install Tip - there are four sets of pinch weld mounting holes and you only need three - from front to rear you will use the first, second, and fourth sets of holes.
These came well packed and in good condition. Once installed they look great and are very solid. The instructions, however, leave a lot to be desired. There was a separate bag of bolts and spacers required for installation on my 2021 Gladiator but no mention of how they were to be used. The instructions say to install the brackets to the frame first and then bolt the steps to the brackets. Unless you have 2 people and a lift, this is virtually impossible. Through trial and error I found it was better to install the brackets to the steps and then bolt the brackets to the pinch weld and then to the frame. Even then I needed a second set of hands to list the steps and adjust them into place. Like I said, they work and look great but there has to be a better way to install these.
The steps are great. Don’t let me discourage you from these steps. The installation on the other hand is an absolute nightmare ! Before purchasing I read another review here where a dude was complaining about the install. I thought no way it can be that hard. Nope, I was wrong. Where do I begin ? First the instructions are clear as mud, the photos are terrible and the instructions are vague as can be. Not only that but there were 2 sets of instructions, one set for a regular wrangler and one set for a Gladiator. Which leads me to believe these steps were just adapted from something else to fit the Gladiator.
There are 4 spots on a Gladiator that has holes in the pinch weld, and the mounting brackets have parts numbers stamped into them but they don’t correspond to any of the provided instructions. So, other than the center bracket which is pretty obvious you have to just test fit to find the proper front and rear brackets.
Then there’s the nut plates. THIS is the worse part. I would highly suggest jackstands, and small screwdrivers (as spud wrenches). The thing that actually saved the day for me was finding my tiny 2” c-clamp. It was the only was I could get the nut plates to line up enough to get the bolts in. Also do not forget to “pre-run” the bolts into the plates before the install to remove the excess powder coat. Speaking of powder coat, the insides of the steps does not have powder coat and already had surface rust when I took them out of the shipping box.
The steps are solid, and they look good. But if I knew then what I know now I would have went with something else.
Purchased in november 2019. The powder coat was chipped off half of the mounting hardware which doesn't leave me excited about it holding up on the actual steps. The install of the step to the mounting brackets is very poorly designed and quite frustrating to install. I would say that part is poorly designed. Very difficult to hold the step, bracket and hope to thread the Allen head bolt all at the same time. Also the rubicon rock rail has a nice gentle bend that follows the body, this part is just straight, so it doesn't flow as nice with the jeep lines, lastly installing spacers on the front and back mounts seems weak, why not just make them correct for the gladiator install so you done need additional spacers. Also my kit had no instructions, so I had to hunt for those. Unlike the rubicon rail, this doesn't sit flush against the body, so you can see the mounting hardware, which I overlooked in the pictures.
I like the steps but have a few issues. Absolute worst instructions and terrible mounting design. It takes at least two people and something to hold the mounting plates in place to start the bolts. One step is damaged from shipping . A bent tube end and finish is peeling. I will contact Quadratec to see where to go from here.
Worst instructions I’ve seen and brackets had no markings. The design of the brackets are horrendous. If I didn’t spend so much time installing I would send back