How to Install Steel Craft STX400 Aluminum Step Boards - Polished Stainless on your Ram

1. REMOVE CONTENTS FROM BOX. VERIFY ALL PARTS ARE PRESENT. READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE STARTING INSTALLATION. DRILLING MAY BE REQUIRED.  

2. Starting at the driver side-front of the vehicle, remove the sealing tape covering the factory holes in the side of the inner panel, (Figure 1).  

3. Determine the correct procedure to attach the driver side front Bracket for your model/year:  

Models without factory threaded inserts in body panel:

a. Partially thread an 8mm Hex Bolt into the threaded end of an 8mm Bolt and Nut Plate, (Figure 2). Thread the Hex Bolt in until it is flush with the welded nut, (Figure 3). Use the Hex Bolt as a handle and insert the Bolt and Nut Plate into the oval hole, (Figure 4). Feed the threaded bolt on the Bolt Plate through one of the hex shaped factory holes. Thread (1) 8mm Plastic Retainer onto the threaded end and down tight against the body panel, (Figure 5). NOTE: The Plastic Retainer is designed to keep the Bolt/Nut Plate from falling into the body panel and to aid in Bracket installation.  

b. Select the driver side front Mounting Bracket, (Figure 6). Attach the Bracket to the threaded end of the Bolt Plate with (1) 8mm Flat Washer, (1) 8mm Lock Washer and (1) 8mm Hex Nut, (Figure 7). Do not tighten at this time.  

c. Remove the 8mm Hex Bolt from the nut on the Bolt Plate from Step 3a. Rotate the Bolt on the Bolt Plate until the threaded nut lines up with the remaining hole in the Mounting Bracket and body panel, (Figures 7 & 8). Attach the Bracket to the threaded Nut Plate with (1) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (1) 8mm Lock Washer and (1) 8mm Flat Washer, (Figure 8). Do not fully tighten hardware at this time.  

Models with factory threaded inserts:

a. Attach the driver side Front Bracket to the threaded inserts with (2) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolts, (2) 8mm Lock Washers and (2) 8mm Flat Washer, (Figures 9 & 10). Leave hardware loose.  

4. Next, select the driver side front Support Bracket. Attach the Bracket to the front facing side of the front Bracket with (1) 8mm x 30mm Hex Bolt, (2) 8mm Flat Washers and (1) 8mm Nylon Lock Nut, (Figure 11). Rotate the Support Bracket to the back of the pinch weld. Line up the slots in the top of the Support Bracket with the (2) factory holes in the pinch weld. Attach the Bracket to the back of the pinch weld with (2) 6mm x 25mm Hex Bolts, (4) 6mm Flat Washers and (2) 6mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Figures 12 & 13). Do not fully tighten hardware at this time. IMPORTANT: 2009-10 models are not equipped with factory holes and will require drilling through the pinch weld to attach the Support Bracket. Do not drill through pinch weld at this time, (see Step 8).  

5. Move along the side of the body panel to the center mounting location, (Figure 14). Repeat the appropriate Step 3 to install the driver side center Bracket, (Figures 15 & 16). IMPORTANT: The front bracket is different from the center and rear Mounting Brackets, (see illustration above-note direction of mounting plate). Select (1) driver side center/rear Support Bracket. Repeat Step 4 to attach the Support Bracket to the back of the center bracket and holes, (if equipped), in the pinch weld, (Figures 16 & 20).  

6. Move to the rear location, (Figure 17). Repeat Step 5 to install the rear Mounting Bracket, (Figure 18).  

7. Select the driver/left Sidebar. Locate the opening in the end of the channels in the bottom of the Sidebar. Slide (3) 8mm T-Bolts into each channel, (Figure 19). Carefully position the Driver Sidebar onto the (3) Mounting Brackets. Lift the Sidebar up and slide the T-Bolts along the sidebar to match up with the Brackets. IMPORTANT: Do not slide, (front to back or rotate), the Sidebar on the Brackets or damage to the finish on the Sidebar may result.  

8. Line up the front of the Sidebar approximately 2” back, (or locate as desired), from the front wheel opening. Attach the Sidebar to the Mounting Brackets with (6) 8mm Flat Washers, (6) 8mm Lock Washers and (6) 8mm Hex Nuts, (Figure 20). Do not tighten hardware at this time.  

9. Properly level and adjust the Sidebar and fully tighten all hardware.  

2009-10 models requiring drilling for driver side Support Brackets:

a. Make sure the Sidebar is level to the vehicle. Adjust and tighten all mounting hardware.  

b. Line up the slots on the Support Brackets with the back of the pinch weld. Mark the location of the slots onto the pinch weld.  

c. Drill (2) 1/4” holes through the pinch weld for each Support Bracket. IMPORTANT: Do not drill too close to the bottom edge of the pinch weld. Adjust the Brackets as necessary to move the slots up the body panel away from the edge. Drill the holes toward the outside of the marked slots.  

d. Attach each Support Bracket to the pinch weld with (2) 6mm Hex Bolts, (4) 6mm Flat Washers and (2) 6mm Nylon Lock Nuts, (Figures 12, 13 & 18). Check the Sidebar for level then fully tighten all hardware.  

10. Move to the passenger side of the vehicle. Remove tape covering front, center and rear locations. Repeat Steps 2-9 for passenger side Mounting Bracket installation.  

11. Do periodic inspections to the installation to make sure that all hardware is secure and tight.  

To protect your investment, wax this product after installing. Regular waxing is recommended to add a protective layer over the finish. Do not use any type of polish or wax that may contain abrasives that could damage the finish.  For stainless steel: Aluminum polish may be used to polish small scratches and scuffs on the finish. Mild soap may be used also to clean the Sidebars. 

For gloss black finishes: Mild soap may be used to clean the Sidebars.