Install a Pair of Truck Steps for Easy Access

By Larry Walton

My Chevy Silverado 4×4 is still on the stock suspension, which is not very tall, but there are times when it would be nice to have a step for getting in. My wife and I are a bit spoiled because we usually have power steps on our trucks. We haven’t put power steps on this truck because of the expense. We also are not fans of the running-board type step bars. So I looked for an inexpensive alternative and found these Bully single side steps. We figured they would get the job done without dominating the look of the truck.

The Amazon listing calls them a “Universal Fit for Most Vehicles,” which explains why the kit comes with a lot of brackets, spacers, nuts and bolts. After installing on our 2014 Silverado, I’m guessing that the step was originally designed for my truck because it fit perfectly into the rocker panel without using many of the parts that came in the kit.

We found the build quality of the steps to be good, and they work pretty well for the price.  The design has your foot more  perpendicular to the truck than the more natural parallel you can achieve with power steps or step bars, but they get the job done.

As always when you are doing any work under your vehicle, make sure you are parked on a level spot away from traffic, that the vehicle is in park or in gear, the parking brake is engaged and the tires are properly chocked to prevent rolling accidents.

When determining step locations, watch for potential damage to wire harnesses, A/C lines, aftermarket stereo wiring, fuel lines, brake lines, etc. Check before you drill.

Step by Step

The kit came with more than everything needed to install the steps on my 2014 Chevy. Depending on your vehicle model, you may have quite a few leftover parts when installation is complete.

The instructions suggest mounting the step centered on the front of the seat base, but I used a step stool to test for the best location. If anything, I would move it forward a little from the suggested mounting point, if the rocker panel and pinch weld flange allow. Do your own location test.

After test-fitting the step, I marked the edge of each mounting point and found the center between them. I then checked that my layout marks matched the spacing on the holes of the step.  While this step fits nicely against the rocker panel on the Chevy, the bolt hole is on top, so you can’t simply trace the hole location for drilling. It takes some measuring and marking. I left this side of the truck dirty so you could see my layout marks.

To locate the in and out of the bolt hole, I measured to the point where the step arms contact the pinch weld flange.

After drilling 3/16-in. pilot holes in the flange, I used a 3/8-in. drill bit to cut the final holes.

With the step back in place, I fastened it to the flange with the supplied nuts and bolts.

I drilled 1/8-in. pilot holes through the top holes of the step and into the first layer of the rocker panel. I used an impact driver to tighten the supplied sheet metal screws through the top holes.

The Bully step provides a textured flat surface for comfort and safety.

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