You know the struggle if you’ve ever climbed into a lifted truck or a tall SUV. One wrong step, and you’re stretching, hopping, or grabbing the steering wheel or the grab handle just to get in and save yourself from faceplanting in embarrassment. We’ve all been there.
Whether you drive a rugged off-roader or a family-friendly SUV, installing a set of side steps can improve form and function. Also known as running boards, side steps are far more than a cosmetic upgrade. They make entry and exit safer and easier, with some designs also protecting your vehicle’s lower body panels from road debris.
The exciting news is that you don’t have to be a trained mechanic with fully loaded Snap-On toolboxes in your garage to make this upgrade. Here’s a closer look at the installation process, starting with the various types and benefits of side steps and what to consider to ensure a perfect fit.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Before diving into installation, it’s essential to understand what side steps offer and how they can impact your experience. As mentioned, they’re more than an aesthetic upgrade. They also provide daily and long-term benefits.
Accessibility
If your vehicle sits higher off the ground, side steps make it easier to climb into the cab without requiring gymnastic skills that require stretching or extending your arms, back, and legs. Side steps also make loading cargo easier, particularly if your truck or SUV has a roof rack. For example, the side step positions you higher, improving accessibility to the luggage rack on your SUV or the rooftop-mounted tent on your truck that will serve as your home away from home during your next overlanding expedition.
Protection
In addition to improving ingress and egress, side steps can also act as a shield of armor for your vehicle’s body panels. Because of their position below the doors, side steps can block gravel and other debris as it ricochets off the road toward the lower door panels on your truck or SUV. This protection mitigates the risk of chips, scratches, dents, and dings.
Resale Appeal
Accessories like side steps can enhance your vehicle’s aesthetics by giving it a more rugged or sleek appearance, depending on the style and finish. Additionally, they can improve your vehicle’s resale value, much like a fully loaded off-road rig on the used lot. Many potential buyers see sidesteps as a valuable accessory and a thoughtful upgrade. They represent an investment and demonstrate that your truck or SUV is likely well-maintained.
Design and Capacity
Side steps can be advantageous, but it’s also crucial to consider their design and impact. For example, side steps can affect your vehicle’s ground clearance, which can restrict accessibility on more rugged terrain if they’re not properly installed and adjusted or are oversized. Additionally, side steps have limited weight capacities, meaning several people can’t stand on the steps at once.
Choosing the Right Side Steps
Shopping for side steps can feel overwhelming because there are so many options. Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as it seems. Here are three key factors to help you narrow your options:
- Fixed or Retractable Design: As the name implies, fixed side steps are in a fixed, visible position. Retractable or electric sidesteps deploy when the doors open, a feature often found on top-tier trims. This design maintains a streamlined aesthetic and doesn’t impact ground clearance, but it’s also more expensive and more complex to install.
- Cab or Wheel-to-Wheel Fit: Most side steps run the length of the cab, improving accessibility from any position around the vehicle. Due to their body styles, trucks typically feature wheel-to-wheel steps that extend along the cab, from the rear of the front wheel well to the front of the rear wheel.
- Frame or Rocker Mount: Side steps can either be mounted to the frame or the rocker panels. Most steps are rocker-mounted, with vehicle manufacturers adding pre-drilled holes for easier aftermarket installation.
Styles to Consider
Once you’ve navigated these factors, it’s time to move on to the more exciting part of shopping for side steps: styles. As you shop, consider how you plan to use the side steps, because not all side steps are created equal.
- Running Boards: A flat, wide step with a non-slip tread that enhances accessibility and protects your vehicle from road debris. Stylistically, running boards look like they’re straight off the production line and are ideal for daily drivers because of their versatility.
- Nerf Bars: Instantly recognizable by their tubular design, nerf bars are more rugged and durable. They can withstand far more wear and tear, but offer minimal body protection.
- Truck Steps: Sleeker by design, truck steps extend below the doors of the truck and are mounted to the rocker panels.
- Hoop Steps: With a tube positioned against the rocker panel, hoop steps are perfect for off-road vehicles. The main tube protects the rocker panel and features steps at each door without hindering ground clearance.
- Bed Steps: This style of steps improves accessibility to the truck bed, with a retractable or fixed-position design positioned adjacent to the rear bumper.
With a wide array of steps, finding the perfect style also means choosing the right materials. For example, carbon steel steps are highly popular because steel is incredibly strong. However, since they are prone to corrosion, most carbon steel steps are powder-coated to mitigate rust.
Side steps are also available in stainless steel and aluminum. Stainless steel is durable and, unlike carbon steel, is not prone to corrosion. However, it’s heavier and not as strong, which is important to consider relative to how you plan to use the steps. Finally, aluminum is lightweight and, with a thicker gauge material, offers strength comparable to steel, while also providing better corrosion resistance.
DIY Installation
Installing side steps on your truck or SUV is easily done in the convenience of your garage. As with any project, the first step is to gather a few essential tools, including a ratchet and socket set, an impact driver, a screwdriver, a drill and drill bits, and a pencil. Other tools, like a torque wrench, floor jack, and creeper, are also helpful.
1: Mount the Brackets
Most vehicles roll off the production line with factory-drilled holes that can accommodate upgrades like side steps. These holes are where you’ll attach the mounting brackets using the included bolts and washers. Leave the bolts slightly loose so you can adjust the brackets later for perfect alignment.
2: Align the Side Steps
Once the brackets are mounted, position the side step on the brackets. You can use a floor jack to support the weight of the step or have someone hold the other end. Once positioned, attach the side step using the provided hardware, ensuring the step is level and parallel to the body of your truck or SUV.
3: Tighten the Bolts
With everything aligned and balanced, tighten the bolts gradually and evenly. If you have a torque wrench, use it to secure the bolts to the manufacturer’s recommended specs.
4: Check Clearance and Door Operation
Now that the side steps are securely in place, open and close the doors on your truck or SUV to ensure the steps don’t interfere. It’s also important to verify that the clearance is consistent along the entire length of the step.
5: Repeat for the Other Side
With the side steps installed on the driver’s side, it’s time to repeat the process on the passenger side, or vice versa. You’ll mount the brackets, align the steps, tighten the bolts, and check the clearance to confirm everything is perfectly positioned.
6: Final Inspection
After the side steps are installed on both sides of your vehicle, it’s time to put the steps to the ultimate test by standing on them. They should feel solid and stable.
7: Ongoing Maintenance
Extending the life of your side steps requires ongoing maintenance. After your first few drives, recheck all the bolts for tightness. Vibrations can sometimes cause the hardware to loosen slightly. Depending on the material and style of steps, apply a protective coating to prevent rust or fading. It’s also essential to keep the steps clean and free of debris, as mud, sand, and salt can accelerate wear.
A Worthwhile Upgrade
Installing side steps on your truck or SUV is one of the rare upgrades that combines practicality, protection, and personal style. With a few tools and an afternoon of work, you can dramatically improve your vehicle’s accessibility and appearance.
Whether you choose sleek aluminum running boards or heavy-duty nerf bars, the right setup transforms your truck or SUV into something that’s not only easier to get into, but also ready to stand out on the road or trail. Grab your socket set, roll up your sleeves, and take the first step towards a smarter, safer, and more stylish ride.