Aurora CO, Denver area
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Removing factory installed side steps
Bought a Santa Cruz Limited that came with factory side steps. Didn't want them but the vehicle was available. Sure miss going onto a new car lot and looking at a dozen vehicles or so!
When I pull the side steps off will there be anything missing that needs to be put on? I was hoping once they were taken off everything would be just like from the factory. But after looking at the install instructions I found online there is a seam sealer on the rocker panel that needs to be peeled off for the install. That and a couple of other steps outlined in the instructions about adding or removing items have me wondering just what I am going to find. Has anyone taken a set of these factory installed running boards off? Will there be anything that needs to be added to get it back to a factory condition for a Santa Cruz Limited without side steps?
When I pull the side steps off will there be anything missing that needs to be put on? I was hoping once they were taken off everything would be just like from the factory. But after looking at the install instructions I found online there is a seam sealer on the rocker panel that needs to be peeled off for the install. That and a couple of other steps outlined in the instructions about adding or removing items have me wondering just what I am going to find. Has anyone taken a set of these factory installed running boards off? Will there be anything that needs to be added to get it back to a factory condition for a Santa Cruz Limited without side steps?
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Any chance for an after pic? Looking to do the same thing.Sorry, I removed them from the steps and used them instead of buying the other ones. I believe that if a person were to get the nut serts and 6mm bolts, the steps could be installed and the plain panels could be reinstalled with the 3 plastic snaps. Just my thought, after seeing how they work. I'm sure someone will know more about it.
Any chance for an after pic?Yes, they went back on and look good. I put all of the side bolts, covers and the three snap clips back and can't tell the steps were ever there. When you have the steps off it is obvious how to separate it.
Thanks so much, looks great. Think that seals it mine will be coming off.Here are a couple of after pics.
Thanks for posting the pics Bob. Looks great.Here are a couple of after pics.
You guys want to take them off…and I’m still thinking about putting them on (for looks). But the few times I have tried these at a dealer….they just seem to make the vehicle a PITA to get in and out of….IMO. I’m presuming you guys are taking them off because of the same.
I find I’m always stepping over them. Their actually in the way for me. I don’t have steps on my Silverado . Don’t need them on a car sized truck. I have 4500 miles and a Florida to California road trip on them and I don’t see a need for them honestly. Can’t wait to get them off. I just wished I could swap them out for the proper panel covers, instead of dismantling the steps. But $ to $ it all washes out the same I guess.You guys want to take them off…and I’m still thinking about putting them on (for looks). But the few times I have tried these at a dealer….they just seem to make the vehicle a PITA to get in and out of….IMO. I’m presuming you guys are taking them off because of the same.
Yeah, they are in the way for me too. Stick out just enough to be an annoyance getting in and out. Here in Northern Canada they pile up with snow as well.
Yeah I’ve been thinking about adding side steps for approx 2 months already and just can’t quite convince myself to pull the trigger….I suspect that after this long of a delay….it may never happen.🧐
Did you sell them by any chance?Bought a Santa Cruz Limited that came with factory side steps. Didn't want them but the vehicle was available. Sure miss going onto a new car lot and looking at a dozen vehicles or so!
When I pull the side steps off will there be anything missing that needs to be put on? I was hoping once they were taken off everything would be just like from the factory. But after looking at the install instructions I found online there is a seam sealer on the rocker panel that needs to be peeled off for the install. That and a couple of other steps outlined in the instructions about adding or removing items have me wondering just what I am going to find. Has anyone taken a set of these factory installed running boards off? Will there be anything that needs to be added to get it back to a factory condition for a Santa Cruz Limited without side steps?
I just last night did the process Bob described doing and about 45 min. Later the steps were off and it looks so much better and I’m not stretching over them to get in. Bought my 2023 SC SEL Premium 3 months ago and 5000 miles later they’re off. Not sure but I may just put the steps up for free on fb marketplace.Thanks for posting the pics Bob. Looks great.
What state do you live in?
I just last night did the process Bob described doing and about 45 min. Later the steps were off and it looks so much better and I’m not stretching over them to get in. Bought my 2023 SC SEL Premium 3 months ago and 5000 miles later they’re off. Not sure but I may just put the steps up for free on fb marketplace.
I’m in central IowaWhat state do you live in?
You separated the steps from the panel covers?? It came out fine?? Nice… I’m next.I just last night did the process Bob described doing and about 45 min. Later the steps were off and it looks so much better and I’m not stretching over them to get in. Bought my 2023 SC SEL Premium 3 months ago and 5000 miles later they’re off. Not sure but I may just put the steps up for free on fb marketplace.
You'll be HAPPY. use a 10mm socket wrench or a nut driver. DON'T use an impact wrench. The bolts are not tight, just lots of them.You separated the steps from the panel covers?? It came out fine?? Nice… I’m next.
Sounds terrific… the cruz is in California and I’m in Florida for a little while.. I ordered a mirror with garage opening capability and that was delivered today… Im going to have to get back there soon and get to work…I’m really enjoying the Santa Cruz… thanks
Would love to see photosYes, they went back on and look good. I put all of the side bolts, covers and the three snap clips back and can't tell the steps were ever there. When you have the steps off it is obvious how to separate it.
Did not sell them. They are in the garage in Anchorage, but I'm in Colorado until the beginning of April.Did you sell them by any chance?
Hello all. Looking for some insight for the forum. Do the rocker panel covers (87751-K5000 + 87752-K5000) go on the side of the rocker or underneath it? I just picked up a Limited last week. It came with factory side steps which I didn't want but it was the only way that I could get the model and color that I wanted. I had the dealer remove the side steps. I mentioned to them that I believed that there should be rocker moldings along with the grommets and the seam sealer that should be replaced when the steps were removed but they didn't seem to understand what I was talking about. They sent me photos when they were done showing the molding that's visible on the side of the truck and it seemed fine to me at the time but I'm going to go back to them and try to explain what is missing. Do these go on the bottom? There is what looks like a metal C-Channel on the bottom where the the square nuts and bolts were but now it's just the nuts and bare metal. Is this where these rocker panel covers go?
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