Side Step & Grab Rails

[79jasper]

Where to find long step rails for Extended cab?

Anywhere that sells them should offer different lengths.

 

[redneckaggie]

I have made several sets from angle iron and horseshoes. just design them how you want the shapes are limitless. and yes though my hoop steps feel extremely stout there must be something about the shape of the mounts that makes them so stout, because all of the ones that I built were mounted to the body and then braced to the frame

 

[PackRat239]

I have to agree 100% with this. My replacement cab had some of those steps at one time, and both rockers are bent where they were bolted.

you need to be honest with yourself. are you a skinny SOB or are you a fatboy. the hoops shown that bolt into the cab are not fatboy friendly. over time, they will rip though the body. i've done it. all my steps are now frame mounted. .

 

[towcat]

I have made several sets from angle iron and horseshoes. just design them how you want the shapes are limitless. and yes though my hoop steps feel extremely stout there must be something about the shape of the mounts that makes them so stout, because all of the ones that I built were mounted to the body and then braced to the frame

one more word of advice. avoid connecting steps to the cab AND THE frame. ford put huge rubber biscuit mounts for a reason. the body and frame flexes an incredible amount. use one mounting style or the other but never both.

 

[The Warden]

one more word of advice. avoid connecting steps to the cab AND THE frame. ford put huge rubber biscuit mounts for a reason. the body and frame flexes an incredible amount. use one mounting style or the other but never both.

X2...especially if you've ever taken your truck off-road, seeing the bed moving with the frame while the cab doesn't move, can be quite surprising. Doubly so when you have a lumber rack attached to the bed that goes over the cab...

 

[Kevin 007]

I have a pair of CARR side steps that are supossed to be mounted to the inside of the rocker panel. Which is terrible!!! There is always a bit of flex, it will rust out easier and eventually bend the rocker. I want to make a mount that bolts to the frame that I can attach my CARR step to. Then I will be most satisfied.

Just in the process of brainstorming ideas...

 

[84TD]

I have full length running boards and handles, I bed lined the boards so you barely notice them. They were on the truck when I bought it, when I picked it up I was thinking on the drive home the first thing I am going to do is pull off these dumb looking running boards and handles but they are super usefull and now I couldnt think of not having them. From removing the back top to cleaning the wind screen they are great. Sometimes if I have to get something out of the back door I dont even touch the ground, just scoot on the boards.

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

I wish I could do pictures.

For years, I had plain old tread-plate aluminum running-boards, mounted in the intended position and with the intended bracketry.

They were good at keeping rocks from slinging up the side of the truck, but next to useless as a cab-entry assist.

They were too far up under the rockers and somewhat flimsy, giving the feeling that one could ride them to the ground; they never actually gave loose, they just always felt like they could.


Then, I built myself a set of REAL BRACKETS (3/16 X 2 angle-iron) and moved the entire set-up outward at least four inches.

I bolted through the inside of the rockers and then drilled down completely through the door-sills and used big fender-washers and all-thread that catches my brackets just behind the vertical backing of the running-board.

The boards themselves are bolted on top of the brackets.

Now, I actually use the boards when climbing in the cab; the wife loves them; and, they are solid as a rock.

I have stainless grab-irons bolted through the pillar just behind the doors.

I have grab-irons about half-built that will go inside the cab, but they may not get finished for years; that's just the way projects go when one is inundated with them.

 

[79jasper]

Midnight, that sounds EXACTLY like what I need to do.
When I'm wearing boots, only maybe 1-2" of my foot makes contact. Definitely not safe in wet/muddy conditions.

I just mounted my grab handles earlier. Next up is refinishing them. Thinking of adding textured paint to the bars.

 

[Kevin 007]

Here is a picture of the side step mounts that I made.. bolted them to the frame as I didn't want to drill and bolt through the firewall, for variouse reasons. This is a very simple and quick design which makes for a very solid and firm side step that ain't goin anywhere.

The one pic is kinda of glossy as I took the shot just after I put some paint on it, but you get the idea.

 

[Dave Barbieri]

I have full length running boards and handles, I bed lined the boards so you barely notice them. They were on the truck when I bought it, when I picked it up I was thinking on the drive home the first thing I am going to do is pull off these dumb looking running boards and handles but they are super usefull and now I couldnt think of not having them. From removing the back top to cleaning the wind screen they are great. Sometimes if I have to get something out of the back door I dont even touch the ground, just scoot on the boards.

That's a really nice setup. Very low-key and out of the way and there if you need them. Your lining idea really helps them blend in and gives the truck a seriously solid look.