Mounting Side Steps

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 19:50
ThreadID: 46585 Views:1716 Replies:2 FollowUps:2
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HI Guys, I am looking at making my own set of side rails for m car as the ones on there are damaged, i have noticed that the ones on there are mounted to the body of the car and i have managed to pull the bolts through thus leaving them hanging by only a couple of points, was wondering if any one has made some them selves? and is there any problem in mounting them to the chasis ( will it weken the chassis if i bolt through it or am i better off welding) any information would be appreciated , thanks Brogs
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Reply By: Exploder - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 20:06

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 20:06
Mate my old ones were bolted to the chaise and the new ones I am now making will do the same, it’s a lot stronger than body mounting and has the plus of if you drop the car onto the bars wile out 4WDing the body doesn’t get dented.

Just look for holes in a chaise that are in the same place as you wish to mount the brackets, other wise just drill mounting hols where you need em being careful to look for fuel lines ECT, 2or 3 M10 sized bolt per bracket will be sufficient to secure them.

Wouldn’t weld them on will just crate issues in the future.

I am using 30*60*2.5mm Steel rectangular tubing that will sit directly below the sills, was going to use stainless steel tube but with the design i had couldn't get a Fit I was harpy with so now got 4 odd metres of 2.5-inch 2mm thick 316 s/s tube in my shed that i got to find a use for LOL

Cheers.
AnswerID: 246393

Reply By: Outnabout David (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 21:08

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 21:08
Don't drill the chassis.
If you are making steps then make them strong so you can jack your vehicle from them. 10 mm bolts are no good.

If using steel, You need to weld on a plate to the end of the rails where they will butt up against the chassis and make the plate wider than the chassis. Drill an upper and lower hole in the plate and then have a plate only made up with the same hole spacing.

Use something large like 3/4 inch or at least 5/8 bolts and nyloc nuts to then affix the steps and plates. The idea is that the chassis is sandwiched between the plates.

Hope I have explained that OK.

AnswerID: 246430

Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 23:58

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 23:58
Hi All,
Agree in principle with the sandwich method of mounting but using 5/8 or 3/4 bolts is an overkill.

I would use 1/2" high tensile bolts, but you could probably get away with 3/8 high tensile and still have plenty of strength in reserve. Make sure that the nuts are also HT.

Good Luck

Disco
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Follow Up By: Outnabout David (SA) - Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 20:27

Wednesday, Jun 13, 2007 at 20:27
depends if you want to jack the vehicle or not. Kust remember a fully laden vehicle probbaly weighs in at over 3 ton and sometimes the force when you slam the steps into rocks can be qute high.
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