Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

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Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Homer » 21 Dec 2017, 3:57 pm

G'Day Fella's,

I have never been really happy with the factory side steps/running boards on my 1990 vintage, Toyota BJ73, MWB.
The gap between the inside edge of these steps and the sill/body of the vehicle seems to trap small rocks and these grind thru the paint if not removed.
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So a few weeks back, I purchased some steel RHS and Channel, and got to it.
I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted as a final outcome, so it was just a matter of making ideas into hard copies.
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I was only interested in mounting the new side steps, to the same anchor points of the factory side steps.
So I unbolted these factory brackets measured them up and then cut up and fabricated their replacements.
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I then mounted them in place, disconnected the batteries and tack welded the 75x25mm RHS to these new brackets.
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I then pulled this back off, and welded the brackets to the step/RHS.
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I then repeated this again on the left side of the vehicle.

As you can see, I have a bit more clearance, and getting small rocks stuck in the gap, shouldn't be an issue......
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The end product worked out just as I had hoped for, and I'm pretty happy with them.
I have left the ends of the steps open, until I have a better feeling of how far forward and rearward I want them to extend.
So until I get them powder coated, I will leave them as they are, and then make any final cuts and blank them off then
I will also cut (to the as yet, unknown OAL) and fold up some Aluminium checker plate, and attach this, to the top of the new steps, once their back from the powder coaters.

Hope that helps

Merry Christmas
Homer
Last edited by Homer on 22 Dec 2017, 7:54 am, edited 2 times in total.
Homer
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Daddybang » 21 Dec 2017, 4:16 pm

Nice work homer!!! :drinks: :drinks: :drinks:
Will look good when they're powder coated. :thumbsup: :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Wobble » 27 Dec 2017, 3:19 pm

Nice mate. Brackets look 10x tougher!

When can we see some photos if you diagonal in a rut for some tent grinding? :mrgreen:
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by lole » 23 Jan 2018, 12:10 pm

Looks good mate.

Interested to see the brackets, look tough like Wobble said.

I've often wondered about the name brand side steps that attach with u-bolts.

So much pressure on such a small area, I can't see how they don't start sawing/twisting through the chassis where they're mounted once they start taking some hits.
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Homer » 30 Jan 2018, 9:16 am

G'Day Fella's,

Thanks for the kind comments.

Further to this thread, here is a link to a great (if your a Toyota or Land Cruiser driver) 4WD forum;
https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/some-n ... 3.1031421/
This show the remains of this job.

Doh!
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Wes » 30 Jan 2018, 9:47 pm

Good work mate.

Look way tougher than the shop stuff. :thumbsup:
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Carter » 30 Jan 2018, 9:56 pm

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Nice addition with the hi lift jack mount point there.

I know a hi lift jack isn't the most popular bit of kit, but when you do have one they're a pain to mount.

I've only seen them on Jeeps before, I'm a little surprised it hasn't been picked up by any other brands.

It's a good option I think,
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Re: Replacement Side Steps for the Battle Cruiser

Post by Homer » 02 Feb 2018, 10:16 am

Thanks for the kind comments Carter.

Avagreatweekendeh!
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