I have been wanting to build my own side steps for a while and need some help selecting material. I plan to used 4 or 6 plates bolted to the frame to use as weld plates for the steps. I am also thinking about using the factory step bolt holes to tie in with some plate for added strength. I want to use 2, 2.5, or 3 inch tubing, not sure on wall thickness. I figure 3/8" for the "weld plates" should be sufficient.

The plan is to build removable steps onto the nerf bars. Not sure if I'll use a clamp on style or bolt them on somehow. I want the bars to be strong enough to support the weight of the truck. I want to build them to act as rock sliders, hence the removable steps and the frame plates and plates to the factory bolt locations.

I do plan on using holes that already exist in the frame and not adding anymore to it. I'm hoping to have time over the holidays to get these done.

Reread this and it doesn't really ask much of a question LOL..... What wall thickness do you think I should use on the tubing? I'm guessing either DOM or chromoly, but is there a less expensive alternative that can handle the weight? Do you think that the 3/8" plate is thick enough?

 

I'd suggest rectangular tubing for the most strength and durability. I'm gettin ready to build a set out of 3" X 2" X 3/16" myself but for what your talkin abour I would go to the 5/16" wall material. Be some heavy buggars but nothin would hurt em. Some class 2 type trailer hitch material would make a good mount for steps. Just weld the receiver inside the box so nothin protrudes from the bottom of the bars and insert the steps just like a hitch.

 

go with 3 inch schedule 120 pipe its cheap and hella strong

 

I dont have **** fer pics but these are homemade...3: square tubing and I had them spray on bed liner called Reflex.......................I call these my sid eimpact rails

lemme know what ya think , I will give detail if ya like em

 

Bout the same thing I'm gettin ready to make Whitty. Only differenc is where yours drop down I.m gonna make it straight across and then weld a lower step into place shaped about the same way.

 

I want to do the same thing. I would like to make a set kindve like the N-Fab ones. Im not a big fan of how they mount them to the cab.. i want some that are sturdy.. i seen on the ones on a jeep that looks like they go back and mount to the frame.. im not sure how that would hold up.. i was thinking maybe having the pipes bent to a 90* and then run back to the frame and then put another brace up to the cab mounts... that way you would beable to stand on them and jump up and down on them and never even phase them... would this work or not? thanks guys!

 

if you are going for round tube your looking at a lot of weight in the bigger dia tube. Hrew tube is plenty strong if you wanna go with 1 1/2 or 2 " dia I would go with 120 wall I know I run 120 wall hrew on my bumper and rock sliders on my crawler and beat the **** out of them they have some dents but hold up every time.

if you choose to go the poop pipe route I would stick with sched 80 and above seems to be strong but pipe has a tendancy of cracking or shattering rather than bending like tube does.

 

Stay away from the big stuff guys. Its heavy and the strength is not a good trade off for the weight. I used 1.75" cold rolled .25"wall thickness and covered the top with 1/8 inch plate(Kinda has a rockslider look). Tied into the frame in 3 spots and its plenty strong. Three 200+ guys bouncing on it and all it did was shake the truck. I'll get some pics up later on this evening.

 

Sorry i ment to have these up about a week ago, funny how time slips away from us...
Measure everything again.
The frame for my step is 1.5"x1.5" Square tubing with a .25" wall thickness. The Pipe is 1.5" O.D. 3/16" wall thickness with 1/8" plate covering the top. Like i said plenty strong.
Just needs a little sanding and paint...