New??? side steps

[tomp]

BTW Ken, they WILL fit without rocker panel cutouts. This was discussed a couple months ago here and a dealer replied that he has done it.

[DDWH]

I looked at them at the dealer aswell....and it looks like it will fit for sure! Plus like tomp said, some dealer guy here has done it. I don't care about the cutout rocker crap, just wanted the steps.

[Agriv8r]

after carefull measuring (100 degrees outside, ran out ran in) I think the gap between the flares and rocker bar on the non LE trucks is slightly smaller, 1/8 inch or so. I do think that you could get away with just the steps aftercutting out the inside of the flare (the part you cant see. After this, the step would sit about 1 inch under the flare, but no reason it could not be done in a few minutes. On the LE it bolts on using the rocker bar monting screws. I have parts investigating just getting the step. will let you know.

[Agriv8r]

and my cost on the steps is about 150 a step...you do the install....add tax....(dealer math) should be close to 7000 dollars give or take...haha no really, 150 a step plus tax...

[KenP]

Originally Posted by Agriv8r

after carefull measuring (100 degrees outside, ran out ran in) I think the gap between the flares and rocker bar on the non LE trucks is slightly smaller, 1/8 inch or so. I do think that you could get away with just the steps aftercutting out the inside of the flare (the part you cant see. After this, the step would sit about 1 inch under the flare, but no reason it could not be done in a few minutes. On the LE it bolts on using the rocker bar monting screws. I have parts investigating just getting the step. will let you know.

Thanks Chuck. Obviously I didn't get over there today because only a fool would be out in that nasty heat.

On now it's thundering and lightning and I'm skeered. That goodness the dog is protecting me.

[KenP]

Forgot, I believe if you remove the rocker, install the steps, then reinstall the rocker, no trimming would be necessary.

[RIC-H0]

Originally Posted by KenP

Forgot, I believe if you remove the rocker, install the steps, then reinstall the rocker, no trimming would be necessary.

FWIW...

Good luck getting all the bolts back into your vehicle once you remove the rocker panels.
Phil, Myself and LonghornCrawler all had issues getting all the bolts back into the frame once they were removed. Got enough bolts snugged down so they would still hold the complete weight of the vehicle without any issues.

Ric

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by RIC-H0

FWIW...

Good luck getting all the bolts back into your vehicle once you remove the rocker panels.
Phil, Myself and LonghornCrawler all had issues getting all the bolts back into the frame once they were removed. Got enough bolts snugged down so they would still hold the complete weight of the vehicle without any issues.

Ric

OK, why?

IIRC, isn't the frame tapped for the bolts? And you bolt through the rockers into the frame with no nuts or other retainers.

Did they not all line up?

[H2Finally]

I did not have a problem the 3 or 4 times I've removed and reinstalled the rocker bars, and my rocker bars were pretty messed up also (courtesy of John Bull).

[RIC-H0]

Originally Posted by PARAGON

OK, why?

IIRC, isn't the frame tapped for the bolts? And you bolt through the rockers into the frame with no nuts or other retainers.

Did they not all line up?

Not real sure why they didn't go all the way through. They started just fine, but about half way through the thread, it started to bind up. Couldn't get a couple to snug up. It may have something to do with the extra weight of the sweet custom rock sliders that were welded to these rails, but I don't really think so.
The nuts are in the frame, and it shouldn't do what it's doing, but it does!

Just my experience...

Hope you don't have similar luck with yours.

Ric-H0

[PARAGON]

Originally Posted by PhilD

The rocker protection gets tweaked when they get used on rocks. When you take them off you can actually hear/feel them flexing. When you come to put them back on, the holes no longer line up.

If you haven't banged them around too much, I imagine you'll be fine.

I'm guessing I won't be fine then.

[Agriv8r]

Originally Posted by KenP

Forgot, I believe if you remove the rocker, install the steps, then reinstall the rocker, no trimming would be necessary.

it would probably work, but I think you would have to force/jack the rockers into place. by trimming, I just mean trim the edge closest to the center (inboard) of the truck the length of the steps. leave the outside/visible edge alone as it will sit on the step. I have them side by side when you make it up here