Okay, so I finally got around to installing those Aries step bars on my truck. I’d been putting it off for, like, ever, but with the weather getting nicer, I figured it was time to tackle some of those “to-do” list items.
Getting Started
First things first, I had to gather my tools. Nothing fancy, just the usual suspects: a socket set, a wrench or two, maybe a screwdriver. The instructions that came with the step bars were actually pretty decent, surprisingly. Big pictures, clear steps. Even I couldn’t mess it up… hopefully.
I started by laying out all the parts on the garage floor. There were the step bars themselves, obviously, and then a bunch of brackets and bolts. It looked a little intimidating at first, but once I matched everything up to the diagrams, it made sense.
The Installation Process
The first step was attaching the brackets to the truck frame. This was a bit of a pain, mostly because I had to crawl under the truck. My back is not what it used to be! I found the pre-drilled holes on the frame, and I’m not mechanic, so I was going slow and making sure.
- Driver’s Side First:I decided to start on the driver’s side. Bolted the brackets on, making sure they were nice and snug. Not too tight, though. I didn’t want to strip anything.
- Passenger Side: Repeated the process on the passenger side. This went a little faster since I knew what I was doing by then.
- Checking the brackets are strong: Repeated the process on the passenger side. This went a little faster since I knew what I was doing by then.
Next up, I attached the step bars to the brackets. This was the satisfying part. I could see the whole thing finally, I lift the step bar onto the brackets and line up the holes.I started all the bolts by hand, then went back and tightened everything down with the socket wrench.
The Final Result
And… that was it! Stepped back, admired my handiwork. They looked pretty good, if I do say so myself. And more importantly, they felt solid. I bounced up and down on them a few times – no wobbling or anything.
Honestly, the whole thing took me maybe two hours, tops. And that includes a couple of breaks to grab a drink and check my phone. Not bad for a weekend project. Now, getting in and out of the truck is way easier, my knees will thank me, wish I done it sooner!
