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  • Tubular Side Steps
  • From "Car Care & Repair"
    episode CCR-110
    advertisement

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Tubular side steps make it easier getting in and out of your Jeep and help ensure steady footing if you're stepping out into muddy, slick or rough terrain.

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Side steps are a relatively easy installation since they bolt on to existing factory-drilled holes.

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    Figure A

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    Figure B

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    Figure C

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    Figure D

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    Figure E

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    Figure F

    Since Jeeps have such a high clearance from the ground, some owners find it helpful to install side steps to make it easier to get into and out of the passenger compartment. Like the grill guard and front body-protectors, this is a fairly easy installation since all the parts come as a kit and are made to fit the Jeep exactly. The steps have predrilled mounting tabs (figure A) and install directly to the frame of the vehicle using a series of front and rear bracketsr. The installation makes use of factory holes and predrilled holes in the accessory parts, so no drilling is necessary.

    The side steps come with the necessary mounting hardware and detailed instructions for installation. Read and follow the instructions and diagrams carefully as there may be slight variations between installations depending on your year-model and specific Jeep vehicle. Following is a summary of the basic steps for installation as performed in our demonstration.

    For ease of installation and better viewing, our installation was done with the vehicle on a lift;it can also be done without a lift. Since there's plenty of ground clearance beneath the Jeep, you may not even need to use a jack. If you do use one, be sure to also use jack-stands and chock the front wheels for added safety.


    Materials:

    Tubular-step kit
    Socket wrench


    1. Each mounting assembly comes in two main pieces -- an L-bracket and a mounting bracket (figure B). These bolt together forming a receiver that secures the step to a portion of the frame (figure C). Beginning with the front passenger side, position the mounting bracket against the frame and fasten it with the L-bracket using the bolts provided . Don't tighten the bolts all the way; leave the bracket slightly loose so they can be repositioned on the frame or adjusted if necessary.

    2. Install the rear passenger-side bracket in the same manner as the front, again leaving it loose enough for later adjustment.

    3. With the front and rear brackets in place, identify which step is for the passenger side (the right and left steps are different) and position it in place on the brackets so that it aligns properly (figure D).

    4. Use the bolts provided in the kit to attach the step to the bracket (figure E).

    5. Once all the elements are in place, go back and tighten all of the bolts completely to firm up the assembly.

    Repeat the steps to install the step on the driver side.

    Important: When installing the brackets, you'll need to avoid crimping or damaging the brake and fuel lines. On our vehicle, the lines run along the length of the frame rail where they are attached with plastic clips. We temporarily lifted the lines out of their clips and then installed the brackets so that they attached underneath the lines to avoid interfering with them. Once the brackets were installed, we clipped the lines back in place over the newly installed brackets (figure F).


    RESOURCES :

    Vehicles provided by McNelly-Whaley Ford Lincoln Mercury
    750 Dolly Parton Parkway
    Sevierville, TN 37862
    Phone: 865-453-2833
    Web site: www.ford4u.com

    Tubular side-step for Jeep Wrangler

    Tubular side-step kit from
    Manik Motors Inc.
    1555 S. Greenwood Avenue
    Montebello, CA 90640
    Phone: 323-869-2299
    Fax: 323-869-2290
    Toll-free (tech sup.): 800-987-8393
    Web site: www.manik.com

    Jeep Owner's Bible: A Hands-On Guide to Getting the Most from Your Jeep
    Model: 0837601541
    Author: Moses Ludel
    (1992)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    Bentley Publishers

    The Jeep Bible: Written Personally for the Jeep Cult!
    Model: 0961847344
    Author: Granville King and Willie Worthy
    (1997)

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.

    Quellen Company

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