ProjectsInMotion
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My 2020 Ram has the multi-function tailgate. The step that Mopar sells for the multi-function tailgate only works when the tailgate is opened in the barn door configuration. That's only one function, what about the other function? The standard Mopar bed step works when the tailgate is opened the regular way. Besides cost, what prevents someone from installing both steps? The fact that both steps mount in the same location. The frame of the multi-function step is cast aluminum and secures to the truck frame directly, in a double sheer mounting, so it can't really be modified easily. The frame for the standard step is also cast aluminum but it mounts to the truck frame with an intermediary steel bracket. Due to the thickness of the frame for the multi-function step, if you simply try to mount the standard step bracket adjacent to the frame for the multi-function step, the standard step is spaced too far out and fouls the body of the truck, among other issues. Addressing the issues can be done with 3 fixes.
-Modify the mounting bracket for the standard step to move the step frame about a half inch closer to the truck frame
-Add a spacer, ideally bolted through, to the lower rear corner of the mounting bracket for the standard step. This corner would rest against the truck frame if the multi-function step wasn't installed, and would rest against nothing if the multi-function step was installed and no spacer was installed. Adding this spacer will substantially reduce flex and vibration.
-Add a spacer to the rear side of the top mounting hole of the mounting bracket for the standard step, because the frame of the multi-function step doesn't extend that high since it doesn't use that mounting hole.
-Optionally, slightly bending in the top forward corner of the mounting bracket for the standard step so the mounting ball can go through and hang from the keyhole
This is the bolted-through spacer on the lower rear corner of the bracket, that also bolts though the frame. I used a stainless steel socket cap bolt, a stainless steel nylock nut, and a stack of stainless steel washers.
With all of the modifications complete, this is how it looks:
Both steps retracted
Both steps extended
Standard bed step with tailgate opened regularly
Multi-function tailgate bed step with tailgate opened in barn door configuration
It only takes a few hours if you're reasonably handy
Cheers
-Modify the mounting bracket for the standard step to move the step frame about a half inch closer to the truck frame
-Add a spacer, ideally bolted through, to the lower rear corner of the mounting bracket for the standard step. This corner would rest against the truck frame if the multi-function step wasn't installed, and would rest against nothing if the multi-function step was installed and no spacer was installed. Adding this spacer will substantially reduce flex and vibration.
-Add a spacer to the rear side of the top mounting hole of the mounting bracket for the standard step, because the frame of the multi-function step doesn't extend that high since it doesn't use that mounting hole.
-Optionally, slightly bending in the top forward corner of the mounting bracket for the standard step so the mounting ball can go through and hang from the keyhole
This is the bolted-through spacer on the lower rear corner of the bracket, that also bolts though the frame. I used a stainless steel socket cap bolt, a stainless steel nylock nut, and a stack of stainless steel washers.
With all of the modifications complete, this is how it looks:
Both steps retracted
Both steps extended
Standard bed step with tailgate opened regularly
Multi-function tailgate bed step with tailgate opened in barn door configuration
It only takes a few hours if you're reasonably handy
Cheers
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