Sidestep installation

[FarmerJohn]

I bought these side steps

RAM 1500 6-Inch Nerf Side Step Bars; Black (19-25 RAM 1500 Quad Cab) - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! For Increased Truck Safety and Appearance. Further enhance your RAM 1500’s accessibility, as well as its overall styling, with the help of these

www.americantrucks.com

which have awful instructions. Looking at some YouTube videos, people recommend cleaning off the paint on the OEM studs prior to installing the brackets and start with the nuts.

Any experience here to share? Sandpaper, or wire brush? Or, don’t worry about it and just wrench?

 

[Wakesnowb]

People on here have some tricks for those but I think I just wired brushed it a little bit (was not perfect with it by any means) and then just wrenched it. I bet you could get by with sandpaper also.

 

[Clayinfla]

I used a wire brush. Made a big difference in tightening the nut.

 

[Jako]

I bought these side steps

RAM 1500 6-Inch Nerf Side Step Bars; Black (19-25 RAM 1500 Quad Cab) - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! For Increased Truck Safety and Appearance. Further enhance your RAM 1500’s accessibility, as well as its overall styling, with the help of these

www.americantrucks.com

which have awful instructions. Looking at some YouTube videos, people recommend cleaning off the paint on the OEM studs prior to installing the brackets and start with the nuts.

Any experience here to share? Sandpaper, or wire brush? Or, don’t worry about it and just wrench?

I found some studs more difficult than others (heavier paint) and started with a thread chaser which I did not like the progress or how much pressure I was applying. I found the most success with a small wire wheel attached to a drill. There is a previous post about this topic but it has been some time.
https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/cleaning-bolt-threads-for-sidebars.9357/#post-155118

 

[SD Rebel]

I highly recommend using a die to clean the bolts. It's super easy, quick and clean. This is the die you need (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015UXIOE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1), an 8mm - 1.25 size. You simply thread it on, once seated correctly, then use a socket and screw it down, then unscrew. You are left with super clean threads. It was the guys from American Trucks who gave me the suggestion.

Whatever method you use, make sure the bolts screw on easy, like finger twist easy. The specs to torque is only 15 ft-lbs, at least with the OEM boards and bolts. If you don't, you risk over tighten them. But the die above made short work of it. Unless you got a lift, trying to clean 18 bolt threads with a wire brush is a bit of a hassle lying on your back. The die is quicker and cleaner.

 

[Jako]

Read the thread as opinions vary.

Cleaning Bolt Threads for Sidebars

I'm certain I've seen a specification for the die to clean the factory paint overspray from the running board threads, and I'm certain I can't find the info now that I need it. What have you used to clean the threads? Thanks.

5thgenrams.com

 

[5thGenRebel_AMK]

I bought these side steps

RAM 1500 6-Inch Nerf Side Step Bars; Black (19-25 RAM 1500 Quad Cab) - Free Shipping

FREE SHIPPING! For Increased Truck Safety and Appearance. Further enhance your RAM 1500’s accessibility, as well as its overall styling, with the help of these

www.americantrucks.com

which have awful instructions. Looking at some YouTube videos, people recommend cleaning off the paint on the OEM studs prior to installing the brackets and start with the nuts.

Any experience here to share? Sandpaper, or wire brush? Or, don’t worry about it and just wrench?

I personally didn’t need to clean my threads when I installed mine, here’s hoping yours is the same

 

[Jako]

I personally didn’t need to clean my threads when I installed mine, here’s hoping yours is the same

Some of mine were so loaded up with paint that I had trouble getting a "bite" on the stud with the thread chaser and was concerned about cross threading. It seems that this has not been a topic for a while, perhaps Ram made adjustments. I also wondered if it was depended on color, model, spray booth, robot or such mechanics and human error.

 

[realralfy]

I chased mine with an extra hex nut. Paint was much thicker on the driver’s side. Had to tighten until the pressure became too great, back it off and go again.....Took a little while. The passengers side was a breeze...

 

[dano257]

I used a wire brush. Took about 2-3 minutes for each stud and removed almost all paint. Made it much easier to secure.

 

[Richard320]

I used a tread die. I also put a dab of loctite on each.

 

[FarmerJohn]

Thanks everyone, for your helpful information!
I managed to wrench them on with no issues this morning. The upper bolts threaded on by hand. The lowers needed a little wrenching, but nothing strenuous.

 

[Ram7081]

Old post. But it what happens when you use the search.
I also used a thread chaser on my 2025. But, I used a 3/8". Not sure if it changed or.
Anyone else add to a new Ram? What size did you use?