thrashingcows

Now to the install.....

I had to figure out brackets and how I was going to mount them, since they did not come with brackets, nor would they have worked due to fact that the bars were being used on the opposite sides.

So after thinking and pondering this, and looking at how others have mounted steps and bars, I decided to use a bunch of 2" angle iron.

I cut 12 pieces or 2" angle at 8" long and welded 2 pieces of them together to make the brackets from the body to the steps.



Drilled 6 holes in each bracket and used some self tapping screws to hold them in place.



And once in place I screwed 2 more from the front side through the pinch weld seam at the bottom of the rockers, into the bracket....very stable and secure now!

thrashingcows

Once the brackets were in place I had to mount more angle iron to the steps themselves. Had to mount them with clamps and then drill holes to line up with the holes in the brackets on the steps. I also added an extra bolt through the top of the step mounting brackets.



Coat of brush on Tremclad and then mounting the angle iron brackets.



The idea was that the flat brackets off the body, and then the angle iron on the brackets, would give me a nice flat surface to get the steps positioned easily. Just clamp them in place once everything looked right, and then drill holes to mount them permanently.

thrashingcows

Once I was actually able to hold them up in place I found that the front section of the step bar tubing was to long, so started by cutting off 4".



I eventually had to cut off another 2" and then grind the front edge flat to clear the mud flaps.



Clamped in place.....



Drilled and bolted in....

thrashingcows

And all done....





I like how the rear section (actually front section... ) of the step bars follow the body line of the cab!



A bit of flex in the steps...but I think it's because of the thickness of the long angle iron piece on steps...seems to have a bit of rotational flex....the body to step brackets don't move at all.

Over all Very happy with how it turned out!

dan123dbl

Looks good! Those are some slick steps. Looks like they were made for the crew now :P

If there is still too much movement in the step would you be able to make a support that bolts to the frame with a rubber body mount? I think I might be paranoid of anything or anyone bumping the steps and damaging my rockers but maybe that's just me.

mknittle

Lookin good Brian.

thrashingcows

Thanks Dan and Mark.....wanted something a little different. You don't see these ones too often, at least around here.

Vader93

Hey TCow, figured I'd throw this at you since you seem to be our resident crew cab expert. A wile back i picked up an 85 crew cab ex military truck. It has Dana 60 front and rear axles with 4:11 gearing and 4 wheel disc brakes. I was planning on doing a cummins swap but I'm curious, is it a worthy candidate. It's a little ugly but minus a fender ding the body is in great shape. Just picking your brain

mknittle

Just do it

thrashingcows

I agree with Mark...Get 'er done!

Seriously though....seems like a good starting point to me. D60's front and rear...the original D60 rear will hold up fine if you don't have a Dana 70 to swap in. All you will need though is a new yoke to run the bigger cummins U-joint. I ran my original D60 rear with 3.54 open for 3 years with no issue what so ever, on the tin gasser U-joint as well...

Do you have a donor for it?

Vader93

I have a 91 non intercooled 5 speed donor truck that looks rough bit runs like a top. 2nd owner 108k miles. Plus a 94 Thomas school bus with a ppumped cummins and Allison 545. And 2 body/interior parts trucks. I was planning on putting the ppumped motor in my black dually, putting my motor in the crew and putting the 91 motor in one of the donor trucks. Is a 92 single cab D250. It's in great shape. I saved it from the crusher. I bought it from a guy that got it just for the motor. I was thinking about rebuilding the front end on the 4x4 crew with 3:54s and swapping in a Dana 70 in the rear with 3:54s. Just need to get off my butt and get after it lol.

patdaly

Vader, you don't want to deal with that rusty old claptrap............ You need to let some serious sicko take it off your hands.......

I am just that serious sicko........

Seriously, just do it.

mknittle

It would be a pretty easy swap really. And with a body that good how could you resist?
It's a sickness it is.

oliver foster

I will add a - Just do it - as well.
You will love it when it is done.
What a great combo D-350 club cab dually and a W-350 crew.

Vader93

I agree completely. Hell i could win this 700 million dollar lotto the nation is going crazy about and still not have enough 1st gens and cummins powered vehicles