Smitty Bilt Tube Step Install Experience

[Shelby Griggs]

Well, I bought the black Smitty Bilt tube steps yesterday (DN230-S4B) and got one of them installed so far. One of the front brackets was not drilled. Went back to look at the only other one they had in stock and it had totally different mounts included. They are ordering me a replacement, should be here Tuesday. I had to buy some longer 1/4-20 bolts for attaching the support rings, just not long enough as supplied. The instructions are not very detailed. About 4 steps, each one of which says take about these 10 parts and assemble them, OK, in what order? A few photos and sketches, but the instructions look like about the 23rd generation of photo copying. The instructions overall rate about a D-.

NO DRILLING is required for this install.

The passenger side, which I got installed does look nice and seems to work OK and be solid. Smitty does need to improve on their QC and instructions though.

BTW, I bought these at the local Dodge dealer for $229. 95. They were only a few dollars cheaper at carparts.com after I added S&H.

Shelby

------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[RODDPD]

I put the westin stainless steel on my,took less than two hours to install. The insruction were easy to follow. The best part they come with a lifetime warranty.


2001 4x4 quadcab long bed black

 

[Bob Wagner]

The directions do $uck, but the quality is #1 I had no problem with my install on my 01 quad cab and $259. 00 for Stainless steel was a plus

 

[MikeR]

Sorry to hear of the problems. It sounds like Smitty threw a bunch of wrong parts in the hardware kit as I didn't have any problems when I installed mine.

-Mike

------------------
'00 2500QC,4x4,LWB,Dark Garnet,6spd,3. 54lsd,SLT,DD stage II,Psychotty air,10-level PM3,Jacobs ebrake,Isspro pyro & boost gauges,2wd-low,Airoquip fuel lines,Smittybilt nerfs,BFG 285/75 AT's,Midland cb,Clarion 6-disc changer

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner:
The directions do $uck, but the quality is #1 I had no problem with my install on my 01 quad cab and $259. 00 for Stainless steel was a plus

Hey Bob,

Where did you find the SS ones for that price? That is only $30 more than I paid for the black ones. I had checked a couple of web sites and it looked like I was only going to save about $7 on the black ones vs. the local price, so I bought locally.

Shelby


------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Bob,

Thanks for the input.

That is where I thought you had got yours, in fact I had a discount code in one of your posts, but it expired on 12-31-2000. I went to the carparts.com site, and did not see anyway currently to obtain that discount. Like I said, without the discount they were only $7 less than my local Dodge dealer. Without the discount, I could not justify the SS ones.

Shelby

------------------
2001. 5 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH (Built 09-10-00), DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Built 09-15-00, took delivery on 10-06-00, 3873 miles as of 01-04-01. Custom aluminum work body / flat bed. Coming soon: E-Brake and gauges.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Shelby the carparts.com 33% off offer surfaces every couple of months. Several other TDR members have made the same purchase.

Bob