Rock-Slide Engineering Gen 3 JL Step Slider Installation Manual

Newest Features

• 40% stronger with High Strength Low Alloy Steel (HSLA).
• All new Smart Motor for improved, consistent motion. Intelligent acceleration and deceleration provides quiet, smooth operation.
• Updated harness for simplified, quicker installation.
• Improved mechanical components increase reliability and reduce maintenance (warranty).

Installation Video

To watch an installation video on your step slider, scan the QR code with your smart phone camera or visit:

https://youtu.be/DSh8yatg4p8

Parts List

Tools Required

Bracket Types

• Front Bracket: 4 in. Drop Style
• Middle Bracket: 5 3/16 in. Long Style
• Rear Bracket: 6 in. Long Style

Harness Diagram - 1: Component Identification

The harness includes the following labeled components:

• A: CIRCUIT BOARD CONNECTOR
• B: MOTOR CONNECTOR
• C: LIGHT CONNECTOR
• D: REAR DOOR SENSOR CONNECTOR (Green wire)
• E: FRONT DOOR SENSOR CONNECTOR (Blue wire)
• F: ROCKER SWITCH CONNECTORS
• G: ROCKER SWITCH
• H: BATTERY TERMINALS
• I: FUSE HOLDER

Diagrams illustrate the driver and passenger side wiring connections.

Harness Diagram - 2: Routing Overview

Illustrates the general harness routing paths:

• Passenger Side: Harness routed outside the Jeep along the frame rail, attached to the top of the frame rail.
• Driver Side: Harness routed inside the Jeep underneath the rocker panels.

For 2-door models, ensure extra harness length is secured with zip ties and follow door sensor and magnet instructions.

Harness Diagram - 3: Detailed Routing

Provides a top-down view of the harness routing:

• Underneath Rocker Panels: Harness routed inside the Jeep, underneath the rocker panels.
• Underneath Crossmember: Harness routed underneath the Jeep, attached to the crossmember.
• Outside Frame Rail: Harness routed outside the Jeep, attached to the top of the frame rail.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• JL MODELS: Must connect the ground wire to an existing body bolt. Connecting both wires to battery terminals will reduce harness length by 6 inches.
• JK MODELS: Option to connect red (+) and black (-) wires directly to battery terminals, or connect the ground wire to an existing body bolt on the Jeep.

Installation Steps

1. Step 1: Remove Fuse & Install Passenger Side Harness
   Remove the fuse from the harness. Trace the passenger side harness along the frame rail, starting from the rear passenger door. Secure the first junction of wires to the existing factory harness using a zip tie behind the middle body bolt. Underneath the front passenger door, locate a factory hole to secure your wiring harness using the provided cable clip and M10 flange bolt. Do not fully tighten until the entire harness is in place. The image shows the harness routing and anchor points with zip ties and a cable clip.
2. Step 2: Connect to Battery Terminals
   Ensure the fuse is pulled from the wiring harness. Run the red wire (+) and black wire (-) with the fuse case along the frame rail, up the firewall. Attach the red wire (+) to the positive battery terminal. Attach the black wire (-) to an existing body bolt on the Jeep, ensuring good metal-to-metal contact. IMPORTANT: For JL models, attaching the ground wire to a body bolt is mandatory to avoid losing 6 inches of harness length. Images show the battery terminal connection and the ground wire connection to a body bolt.
3. Step 3: Secure Harness Near Battery
   With the wires connected to the battery, secure this section of the harness using the M10 flange bolt and cable clip. Leave enough slack for slight movement. An image shows the harness secured with a cable clip and bolt.
4. Step 4: Access Floor Plug & Install Grommet
   Pop open the rocker panels on the front and rear of the passenger side to access the floor plug and wiring. Peel back the carpet to find the hard plastic floor plug. Remove the plug by tapping it upwards with a screwdriver and hammer. Insert the black rubber grommet into the floor plug opening. Images show accessing the plug and the grommet.
5. Step 5: Route Sensors & Remaining Harness
   Thread the green door sensor (D) and blue door sensor (E) connectors up through the floor plug on the passenger side. The circuit board (A), motor (B), and light (C) connectors will remain visible on the passenger side. Pull the rest of the harness from the passenger side to the driver side over the frame rail, along the crossmember, and secure it with zip ties. Images show the sensor connectors being threaded through the plug and the harness routing.
6. Step 6: Install Driver Side Harness
   Pop open the driver side panels and remove carpet to expose the floor plug. Thread the green door sensor (D), blue door sensor (E), and rocker switch (F) connectors through the floor plug into the cab. Run the front blue door sensor (E) and the rocker switch (F) along the existing harness towards the front of the Jeep. The driver's side circuit board (A) and motor (B) connectors should remain outside the Jeep, similar to the passenger side, but without a light connector (C). An image shows the driver side connectors being plugged in.
7. Step 7: Install Rear Door Sensors
   Start with the rear doors. Remove the trim panel and run the rear door sensor (D) along the existing factory harness. Clean the area above the rear door hinge with an alcohol wipe to ensure a clean surface for the adhesive. Apply the double-sided adhesive to the back of the sensor, press firmly, and wrap the foam wire protector around the frame metal. Connect the door sensor to the green wire (D) connector. IMPORTANT: Ensure magnets are correctly aligned with sensors for proper deployment. Test one door at a time. Rear door sensors are located on the inner portion of the door on the B Pillar. Images show sensor application and placement.
8. Step 8: Install Front Door Sensors & Door Magnets
   Front Door Sensors: Remove the front door trim panel. Run the front door sensor (E) along the factory harness. Clean the area below the door latch striker with an alcohol wipe. Apply double-sided adhesive to the sensor, press firmly below the striker, and wrap the foam wire protector around the frame metal. Connect the sensor to the blue wire (E) connector. Reinstall carpet and rocker trim. Door Magnet Installation: Clean the inside of the door with an alcohol pad. Peel off the backing and press the magnet firmly into place. For rear doors, place the magnet on the inner side opposite the sensor, centered in the foam indentation. For front doors, place the magnet on the outer part of the door, opposite the sensor location below the door striker, approximately 1/4 inch down from the bottom screw below the door latch. IMPORTANT: Perform a test fit to ensure proper magnet alignment. Images show sensor and magnet placement.
9. Step 9: Install Rocker Switch
   Install the master switch cutoff bracket onto the JL OBD2 port bracket. Remove the OBD2 port screw using an 8mm socket. Insert the provided screw through the bracket's large hole, then through the OBD2 port bracket, and hand-tighten. Pull the wires through the bracket. Plug the red and black wires into the two-prong switch (polarity doesn't matter). Push the switch back into the bracket until it snaps into place. Images show the OBD2 port, switch wiring, and the installed switch.
10. Step 10: Mechanical Installation - Remove Factory Sliders
    If factory sliders are installed, remove them. Remove the two front pinch seam bolts using a 10mm socket. IMPORTANT: Keep your factory hardware for later use. An image shows bolts being removed.
11. Step 11: Mechanical Installation - Loosen Body Bolts
    Starting on the passenger side, locate the three body bolts on the underside of the vehicle. Loosen these bolts approximately 1/4 inch to allow for washer movement. A breaker bar may be needed. TIP FROM A MECHANIC: To prevent thread damage, reverse direction 1/8 to 1/4 turn if you hear a pop or feel the bolt bind during loosening. Images show body bolts and a tip for loosening. IMPORTANT: Rock-Slide Engineering is not responsible for body bolt damage; consult a Jeep dealership or mechanic if needed.
12. Step 12: Install Brackets
    Install each bracket between the bolt head and the washer, leaving them loose for now. Ensure proper bracket identification (Rear, Middle, Front) and style (Long Style or Drop Style). IMPORTANT: If the washer gap is insufficient, use a small file to remove the two threads closest to the washer. Images show bracket installation and identification.
13. Step 13: Install Bump Straps
    Prepare the Jeep's body near the pinch seam by cleaning the angled section with an alcohol pad. IMPORTANT: Perform an alignment check: measure 1 3/4 inches from the bottom of the door seal to the top of the bump strap for optimal placement. Slowly remove the adhesive backing while applying the bump strap along the body, pressing firmly. Once adhered, the tape is designed not to come off, protecting the paint and filling the gap between the Jeep and the step slider. Images show cleaning, alignment measurement, and application.
14. Step 14: Install Step Sliders
    On the passenger side, before placing the step slider, pull the circuit board (A) and motor connector (B) through the last cutout near the mounting hole to easily locate them for plugging in. Insert the slider bolts into the pinch seam holes; the slider will hold itself in place. Secure the slider using the 1/4 and 5/16 nyloc nut washer sets. Plug in the circuit board (A) and motor connector (B). The additional wire is for the optional light kit (C); tuck it away inside the slider. Tighten the pinch seam nuts: 1/4 inch nuts to 8 ft. lbs., 5/16 inch nuts to 18 ft. lbs. IMPORTANT: Ensure wires are not pinched between brackets, the slider, or the Jeep body. If installing an optional skid plate, it mounts in the same location. Images show wire routing, slider attachment, and tightening nuts.
15. Step 15: Final Tightening
    Reinstall the two 10 mm panel pinch bolts and torque them to 8 ft. lbs. Then, tighten the body bolts to 80 ft. lbs. Repeat this process on the driver side. Images show tightening bolts.
16. Step 16: Calibration Cycle
    With both step sliders installed, allow the circuit board to calibrate. Reinstall the fuse. The steps will deploy and retract rapidly, which is normal. IMPORTANT: Ensure nothing obstructs the steps during deployment/retraction. If obstructed, remove the fuse and rerun the calibration cycle. An image shows the fuse and the deployed step.
17. Step 17: Final Touches
    Use the provided plugs to cover any holes in the Step Slider. You are done! Scan the QR code to leave a review. See the FAQ section for troubleshooting or call for assistance. An image shows the plugs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: I just installed my steps and they are not coming down when I open the door.
  A: Double-check all connections. Verify the fuse is plugged in, the on/off switch has power, the circuit board is plugged in, and the door sensors are connected.
• Q: My rocker switch is getting power, but the light stays on in both positions.
  A: The light should only be on when the system is active. If it's lit in both positions, switch the red wires on the back of the switch. This will not drain your battery unless left on for an extended period (e.g., a month).
• Q: Everything is plugged in and the switch is turning on and off, but the steps still won't deploy.
  A: First, test the motor. Unplug it from the harness and apply 12V power directly to its leads. Switching the leads will make it deploy or retract. If the motor works with direct power but not the harness, there might be an issue with the harness or circuit board. If the motor makes a clicking sound but doesn't move, it may have internal damage.
• Q: I tested the motor, and it works. I checked the sensors individually, and the system still won't work. The steps don't deploy unless I do it manually with 12V power.
  A: In rare cases, the circuit board may be faulty. Contact Rock-Slide Engineering at Warranty@rockslideengineering.com to request a new circuit board.
• Q: I opened my door a bunch of times and the system just shut off. What happened?
  A: The systems have built-in protection against rapid cycling to prevent damage. Remove and re-install the 20-volt fuse to reset the system and restore normal operation.
• Q: Everything is working now. But I want to take my doors off and have the steps still work.
  A: Rock-Slide Engineering offers a door delete kit (Part# SL-DD-100) that replaces the door sensors. You may need two kits if you wish to disable sensors for both front and rear doors.
• Q: The steps deployed and won't retract. What is going on?
  A: Your magnets may be misaligned. To diagnose: with the front doors closed, unplug the rear sensors. If the steps retract, the rear door magnets need adjustment. If they stay down, the front door magnets need adjustment. Open the door, shift the magnet slightly, and close the door. Repeat until the step retracts. Mark the magnet's position. Then, plug the rear sensors back in and test. If the rear door still doesn't work, repeat the magnet alignment process for the rear door. It may take several attempts. OPTION 2: Test sensors by unplugging them and using a magnet nearby (not touching). The step should retract when the magnet is close and deploy when it's away. If steps deploy immediately after installation, magnets likely need alignment. Test and align each sensor/magnet pair individually.
• Q: I was off-roading, left my system on, someone left the door ajar, and I ripped my step off on a rock. What now?
  A: Rock-Slide Engineering can replace internal parts at cost. You will need to remove the step from your vehicle. Contact them to determine the necessary parts. They can also perform the repair for you; you would cover shipping costs to them and for the return.

Warranty Policy

Rock-Slide Engineering, LLC (“RSE”) provides a Limited Twelve (12) Month Warranty for Finish and Electrical Components, and a Lifetime Warranty for Structural and Mechanical Components. The finish (powder coat) and electrical components (including the motor) are warranted for twelve (12) months from the original purchase date. This warranty applies only to the original retail purchaser and is void if the product was not purchased directly from RSE or an authorized dealer, or if the product is removed or reinstalled. To exercise the warranty, the original purchaser must provide proof of purchase and return the defective product with a detailed description of the problem, purchase receipt, bill of sale, and contact information to RSE's warranty department via email. RSE will, at its option, repair or replace the defective product. The original purchaser is responsible for all shipping and transportation charges. This warranty is void if the product installation was modified, changed, altered, customized, or not performed strictly according to instructions, or if installed on an improper vehicle. RSE is not liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, and total liability will not exceed the retail price of the product. For questions, contact RSE at 435-752-4580 or warranty@rockslideengineering.com.

General Maintenance

To ensure proper function, clean and lubricate your Step Sliders after off-road adventures and frequently during winter months. Deploy the steps to pressure wash the body and internals. Apply a multipurpose lubricant to pivot joints and a dry Teflon lubricant spray to the spring. Lubrication options can be found at local stores.