trivial question about the step kit

[Xfaxman]

Had to wait on warmer drier weather. This is a picture of the left side looking up where the mounting plate will go:




Bolted the step to the mount and clamped in place as low as it would go to check fit:




Decided to use some self-threading bolts that I had:




Drilled two holes at the top next to their holes, so they wouldn't be too high and 4 holes at the bottom of the mount where most of the force from my weight will be pushing out against the bolt heads:

Clamped the step and mount in place, drilled 6 pilot holes and bolted it tight:

The top two bolts were harder to get in. The pilot holes felt like they went through thicker metal.

Found out why when I opened the door. The two top holes that I drilled are too high and went through more metal:

Looked at the directions and see that by putting it where the step is lowest, the mounting plate is upside down.

Right way, the top holes are lower and my way, the top holes are higher:

The step is halfway up to the floorboard. Makes it much easier for this old man to get in and out :thumbsup: .

 

[craneman13]

Just my cheap side showing up but $230 seems steep for a bracket and a step. think I might build my own.

 

[ruffdog]

Looked at the directions and see that by putting it where the step is lowest, the mounting plate is upside down.

Right way, the top holes are lower and my way, the top holes are higher:

View attachment 647134 View attachment 647135


The step is halfway up to the floorboard. Makes it much easier for this old man to get in and out :thumbsup: .

So, is the correct (per instructions) way to mount it is the bracket on the left? The one that the Bobcat decal is upside down?

 

[Xfaxman]

Correct:

But since I didn't want to use the clip-nuts (#2 above), I didn't read the directions again before I started.

I had read them before I ordered the kits.

The holes where the step bolts to the mount (#6 above) are offset lower when the plate is upside down, that is what I looked at.

 

[ruffdog]

Sometimes when we think too much it gets us in trouble.....been there, done that.:drink:

 

[Xfaxman]

Just my cheap side showing up but $230 seems steep for a bracket and a step. think I might build my own.

Start building! I used the Toolcat this morning and to me the step is worth it. So much easier to get in. Getting out it sticks out far enough to put your heel on it.

Still have the passenger side step to put on when I get a round tuit .

 

[iah]

I found that if I just order the step (7135577) and bracket (7135578), not the kit, I was able to get the price per step down under $194. Since I typically try to use stainless steel hardware for mounting stuff like this I don't need or want the kit hardware.

 

[Xfaxman]

Thanks for the tip, too bad I didn't think of doing that.

The 1/4 inch diameter self threading screws are working great, holding the bracket on tight :thumbsup::

 

[Xfaxman]

Well I got a round tuit and got the step installed on the passenger side.

Scraped the mounting area clean and drilled 4, 1/4" holes in the mounting plate next to the big holes:

Bolted the step to the mounting plate the right way this time and clamped in place:

Drilled 4 holes for the short self-threading 1/4 inch bolts and bolted it in place:

Now I can get in so much easier when my wife is driving .

 

[Xfaxman]

Just an update to say I really like the steps. So much easier for this 80 year old man to get in and out.

Coming out forward you can put your heel on the step, or come out backwards with your toe on the step.