Will Scout offer powered running boards

[Trailguide79]

Winches are already a sure shot, but let’s not forget the reason the original Scout died…….it didn’t advertise or appeal to women.

With the average female height about 5’3”…..I am not posting anything to be incendiary, but let’s really look how many women, men, and disabled will be distanced from go without easy entrance/egress.

I would hate this small oversight to literally be something that assists on repeating history.

Sure give us a winch……but let’s also make sure our daughters, sons, and disabled can access comfortably, that is where powered running boards come in.

While there are generic “universal fit” ones, the engineers can design these to assist in vehicle safety if a strong metal, be skid bars when folded in, but also allow a broader spectrum of people to enjoy entrance and egress and the brand as a whole.

This is probably more important than even I am making it out to be.

 

[Mousehunter]

Not opposed to options - but honestly, everyone is crying this vehicle is too high, while I wonder why it is so darn low. My kids have never had an issue getting into my wife's Rubicon that has a door height of 24". My 10 year old son (who is fairly short for his age, lowest 25 percentile) did have a bit of an issue getting into my LJ with a door height of 28", but could manage it. Looking at photos, I am betting the door height of the Scout is 16" at best.

You might want the power running boards - I want a factory lift...

 

[Trailguide79]

Not opposed to options - but honestly, everyone is crying this vehicle is too high, while I wonder why it is so darn low. My kids have never had an issue getting into my wife's Rubicon that has a door height of 24". My 10 year old son (who is fairly short for his age, lowest 25 percentile) did have a bit of an issue getting into my LJ with a door height of 28", but could manage it. Looking at photos, I am betting the door height of the Scout is 16" at best.

You might want the power running boards - I want a factory lift...

Neither are mutually exclusive.

I peeled back the onion enough to see why Scout “closed” in 1980.

It was because it failed to appeal to ladies. Thinking of my mom, and even slightly disabled folks…..that is a strong amount of customers.

Both can be addressed, but failing to address the female market was literally a recipe for doom.

how does one do that…….make it difficult to get in. Many guys will live with horribly loud, stiff (or tall) suspension……but make it high, with no electric running board…..that’s kind of ignoring what killed sales in the first place.

I am sincerely for both, but want the brand to be successful long term, after we have taken delivery of our Scouts sometime in 2027

 

[smrpilot]

Maybe there can be a user configurable parking mode that lowers the ride height for entry/egress and running boards won't be necessary. Now factory rock sliders is another story - yes, please!

 

[Mousehunter]

Appealing to women - I will agree it is necessary. I bet women account for 3/4 of Jeep Wrangler sales.

I have no doubt you are right though - the original Scout did not market to women. It was from a tractor company - and I am sure that effected how women/wives viewed it. Jeep has all but reinvented it's target market. It has carefully cultivated the Wrangler as an off road vehicle (they once had a 2 wheel drive version - after all, 4 wheel drive cost more money to build and to drive, and many of their buyers were never going to drive off road. They discontinued it - either it did not sell or it tarnished their image). And they are well aware they have targeted women with their marketing. It's a fun family vehicle. Not the 2-door toy that does not even think about getting kids in the back row car seats.

 

[texasrover]

Great ideas, make options available for individual needs. That is why it is important to make options for different customer preferences. Yes i would love to see air height control , and power side steps and would order it! OPTIONS PLEASE!

 

[joewilk45]

I think running boards a-statically done and engineered could be luminous with scout logo

 

[Trailguide79]

Maybe there can be a user configurable parking mode that lowers the ride height for entry/egress and running boards won't be necessary. Now factory rock sliders is another story - yes, please!

BRILLIANT idea, with the air compressor ALREADY built in, cost neutrality could potentially be already here.

It is something that can be rather quick......especially for letting air out and parking, and its not as though the Scout would look like a lowrider even at its lowest setting if possible.

Airing up would be a bit more time, but a valuable trade off considering that electronic running boards are probably north of $2,000 in 2024.

Frankly, a "low" setting could contribute to efficiency in a strong capacity as moving air to the sides is "generally" more efficient than having air go under.

That's what I love about this forum.......there is a possible chance that the opinions could ultimately make it to the engineers final design.....especially if the technology is already "built-in" and cost neutrality is there.

Obviously, if someone wanted the Scout consistently tall and riding high, that "should" be a non-issue..........MAKING EVERYONE HAPPY and co$ting $0.00 while doing it!

More importantly getting at my original point of not ignoring a female market, short people, or disabled people from go.

We all know that for many.......if a vehicle is a PITA to get into, people will simply skip it completely other than the "fringe" off-roaders, or tall gents 6" and above with no kids, no short spouses, and no handicaps on their movement......and correct me if I am wrong that is possibly only 15% of a market.

Good vehicles EMPOWER people allowing them to go places they otherwise couldn't, get there safer, get there faster, and get there cost effectively.

SMRPILOT, I hope Scout can get you a place at the engineering table