Stepping Up: The Best Running Boards for Jeep Wrangler 2-Door Models

When it comes to vehicles that are easy to get in and out of, the Jeep Wrangler rarely ranks near the top. The “up and over” entry provides valuable trail clearance, but it can turn everyday use into a challenge, especially for older drivers, passengers with mobility limitations, or anyone whose joints have seen three-quarters of a century of wear.

My parents, however, have always had a knack for choosing the least practical option on the lot. So when they showed up in a bright teal two-door Jeep Wrangler in my driveway, replacing a previous blistering yellow model, I was more concerned for their safety getting in than surprised at their purchase.

Fast forward a few weeks, and we were leaving the hospital after a short stay. As I helped my father climb into their newly purchased Jeep Wrangler 2-door with his oxygen tank in tow, something became painfully clear. This Jeep needed a better way in and out - the right running boards for a Jeep Wrangler 2-door.

The challenge was not just the situation. It was the design of the Jeep Wrangler 2-door itself. The tall factory ride height and door openings require more of a climb than a step, something only rivaled by the lifted Volkswagen Thing they owned decades ago. For my parents, both in their mid 70s, getting in and out was not just inconvenient. It was becoming a daily strain and even required the classic step stool tied to a rope for my mom.

Replacing the Wrangler with a more practical vehicle was not going to happen. Trust me, we all tried. They love the look, the feel, and the freedom it represents. As Jeep owners and now my mother likes to say, it’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand.

Since this Jeep will never see off-road use, the priority was a wide, non-slip platform for secure footing rather than rock rails or trail protection. It also needed to accommodate my dad’s size 13 men’s shoe without creating a gap that could catch my mom’s size 8 shoe between the running board and the body.

If the Wrangler was staying, the answer was running boards. The goal was to make entry and exit easier and more confident while still fitting the vehicle’s ‘personality.’

After dealing with it firsthand, I realized my parents’ situation is not unique.

Jeep Wranglers are everywhere, but there is a reality most owners do not talk about. No, it is not the cult following, the random ducking, or the fact that fewer Jeep owners wave these days. It is the difficulty of getting in and out, a challenge that is even more noticeable with a 2 door.

The 2-door Jeep’s shorter wheelbase limits the space available for step placement, even with factory mount points. That means fewer running board and step options compared to the four-door version. At the same time, the higher step in height and limited places to brace yourself can make that first step less stable than many people expect.

Rear seat access is even more demanding, requiring the front seat to tilt forward and the passenger to climb past the B pillar and sport bar. But even getting into the front seats is not as easy as it looks. For many drivers and passengers, especially older adults, the idea of simply hopping in is not realistic.

That combination of limited step options, minimal support points, and higher entry effort makes accessibility a bigger issue on a Jeep Wrangler 2-door than most people realize.

To kick off my research, I did some digging and came across multiple forum posts, discussions in my local Jeep group, Austin Jeep People, and an article covering the best Jeep Wrangler side steps and running boards. That article ultimately became the research tool I used before making a decision and helped narrow down what would actually work for this situation.

That research led me to the RealTruck Builder. Since my previous experience with running boards or accessibility on tall vehicles was limited to the simple chrome hoop steps on a 1986 Bronco, I was genuinely surprised by how many options were available in the aftermarket. The biggest challenge was visualizing the final product on the vehicle without opening Microsoft Paint.

The RealTruck Builder solved my dilemma. Once I entered the year, make, model, and trim, a fully interactive 3D version of the Jeep Wrangler 2-door appeared. I could rotate and view it from nearly any angle, although flipping it over to add a “If you can read this, flip me back over” spare tire cover was not an option, a bit of a faux pas if you ask me.

The RealTruck Builder organized the options into categories that included full-length running boards, boards with hoop steps, and even electric deployable steps for those looking for something more advanced. Each option displayed compatible products and allowed for interactive viewing, including the ability to raise and lower the powered versions. Taking it a step further, I could even build out the entire Jeep to see what it might look like after a lottery win.

Since I would be the one installing the running boards in their driveway, simplicity mattered. I decided to start with the GoRhino RB10 running boards with the truck bed liner pre-applied. I thought by lowering the step in height with running boards alone, they should be all set. 

After ordering the GoRhino running boards from the RealTruck site, they arrived a few days later in two well-packaged boxes. I finally found time to make the hour and a half trip to my parents’ house to get 2-door Jeep running boards installed.

In the rush, I forgot to bring my own tools. Since my dad’s collection has gradually become mine over the years, I found myself working with limited options. Thankfully, the instructions called for only basic tools, a ratchet, along with a wrench and sockets in 7/16, 9/16, and 13mm sizes.

Once everything was laid out, I discovered that no drilling was required. The chassis already had mounting nuts for the support brackets, and the pinch welds were pre-drilled from the factory. It was as if Jeep intended these to be there from the start…

It could not have been easier to install the GoRhino running boards on the Jeep Wrangler 2-door. Even with limited tools and working in the driveway, the process was straightforward. If you know ‘lefty loosey and righty tighty,’ you have all the skills required.

With the Jeep now sporting its new side steps, I had my mom climb in, and she loved it. Getting in was noticeably easier, but getting out proved even more valuable. She can now place one foot on the running board, bring the other leg out, and step down gradually instead of making a full drop.

My dad, who is a big guy to put it mildly, had a few more struggles than my mother. Previously, getting in required a coordinated effort using the door, the “oh crap!” grab handle, and the dashboard to pull himself up into the seat. Now he can step up, grab wherever, and slide in without having to lift his full weight into the seat. Although not effortless, it was still a great step forward for him.

For anyone unlucky enough not to yell “Shotgun!”  and end up having to climb into the back seat, the running boards make a world of difference. You can step onto the board, slide across, and ease yourself down instead of bumping your head on the roll bar before falling into the tight spot that even their 15-year old chihuahua would scoff at.

While I thought my job was done and I could move on to my own projects, it became apparent that my dad’s efforts to get in were still hindered by having to step onto the running boards, shift his body and then slip in. He needed a few more inches of help and the ability to step up before getting to the running board, instead of using upper body strength to get to step 1. Ah, the joys of being the favorite child, combined with a father who has quite literally worn out his first and second set of knees.

So, it was back to the drawing board, also known as the RealTruck Builder, to look into running boards with integrated drop steps. My biggest concern was whether the drop step would be too narrow and end up catching my dad’s large shoe or complicate footing. After checking the dimensions, though, it was clear the step provided plenty of surface area and angled off to avoid trapping his foot. Just like the previous setup, installation remained straightforward, utilizing the same U-plates inside the running board as mounting brackets, with the addition of a rear offset bracket to position the step correctly.

One of the coolest parts about this setup is that the drop steps aren’t fixed in place. As long as you’re not contending for the same space as the mounting brackets, you can position them wherever it makes the most sense. That means you can dial in the setup based on who’s getting in and out, and what works best for them, a fact I think I'll keep from my parents. 

For the sake of accuracy, curiosity and of course this article, I broke out the yardstick. Yes, the same wooden yardstick my rear still remembers.

Before adding running boards to the Jeep Wrangler 2-door, getting into the Jeep required stepping up 24 inches and squeezing through just 14 inches of space between the kick panel and the seat in its furthest back position.

The new running board sits 16.5 inches off the ground, nearly 8 inches lower than the bottom of the door and plenty of surface area to shift your body on. The boards themselves span 49 inches and measure 13 inches deep. Even with the door blocking a portion of the platform, there is still 32 inches of usable space.

Although we were one step away from installing a ladder on the side of this 2-door Jeep, the new drop steps lowered the first step to just 11 inches off the ground. From there, it’s another 5.5 inches up to the running board, followed by a final 7.5 inches into the cabin.

I joked that if we needed to go any lower, I’d start cutting springs or put this 2-door Jeep on airbags. Neither parental unit found me funny.

At their core, the running boards and the running boards with drop steps are the same foundation, just packaged differently. The boards themselves are identical, but the drop-step version comes as a separate SKU that includes the additional step hardware. That means if you think there is even a chance you will want the extra assistance, it may be worth starting with the drop-step version and simply not installing them right away. Otherwise, adding them later requires replacing the entire setup, since the steps are not sold separately. The base running boards already make a noticeable difference, but the drop steps take it a step further by reducing that initial climb and breaking the entry into more manageable increments.

There are a few trade-offs to consider. Adding drop steps does reduce ground clearance slightly, though in this case, neither setup is intended for heavy off-road use, so it is a worthwhile compromise for improved accessibility. The drop steps also sit slightly farther outward, which makes stepping in easier, but can take some getting used to when stepping out, especially if you are not expecting that extra surface behind your leg. Still, for anyone prioritizing ease of entry and exit over trail performance, the added stability and confidence the drop steps provide make them a strong upgrade over running boards alone.

Maybe my parents are still of sound mind. Impractical vehicles just mean you need a little help from the aftermarket. RealTruck helped me visualize what was possible with multiple options and then supplied the product quickly. Installation was a breeze, and I spent more time locating tools than I did installing the boards.

After everything was said and done, the running boards for their Jeep Wrangler 2-door proved to be a great first step into their Jeep journey, with the drop steps adding yet another level of easy entry. The running boards with drop steps eliminated the awkward climb, provided the footing needed to get in safely and confidently, and gave all of us a little more peace of mind about the purchase.

Despite remaining an unpaid servant, I’m thankful the installation was much easier than some of the projects they had me tackle growing up. Still, the bonus of earning favorite child status again is something I am more than happy to hold over my siblings, especially since they just celebrated their 56th anniversary.