I have them and wish i didn't. They're mostly just in the way every time you get in. 🤷‍♂️

 

I'm thinking of adding the OEM Side Steps to my 2024 Sara Cruz Limited.
I agree they're not needed for entry to and exit of the vehicle. But more for ease of loading items on the roof rack and cleaning the top of the vehicle.
My only concern is the potential decrease in clearance of the bottom of the vehicle.
Does anyone have them installed on their Santa Cruz? I greatly appreciate your feedback.

I got the SEL regular which does not have the side steps. When I was looking at the santa cruz night/limited, I hit my shins on the side steps multiple times. The SC is not tall enough to justify them. If you want to get access to the roof rack, just get some decent door sill protectors, and step on the door sill.

 

If you are going to lift your truck, then maybe that would be an option. But it is just like getting into an SUV, not very tall and easy enough to get in and out without needing a step

 

 

That's what I had to do when I washed it and needed to get the bird poop off the roof, LOL!

 

Side steps are for looks.
They do look good, but don’t be too pragmatic about the value they add.

(I have them and love them, but they are only for looks)

 

OK. Esthetically. Yes or no? 😁

 

I had a 4x4 half ton and for that beast you really did need side steps. For the SC I agree they would be mostly for looks and could actually be in the way at times.

 

I have them, they came with mine. Don't need them, and they're kind of a pain to clean around, but they look great when they are clean. Do it because you'd like the look and maybe an added benefit of in/egress if you use it, but not because of any perceived value. KBB values them on mine at $25 more on trade-in.

To be fair, you're not losing any ground clearance, as you're bolting them onto where a black trim piece would be clipped to the frame. It just looks lower because they stick out. If you don't like it, lift it. You're going to anyway, right?

 

agree 💯

 

I think they look cool, but they're pretty functionless.
I am 6ft tall and I still need to stand on the door sill to really reach anything on the roof.

 

I have them, came with my Night Edition.
I didn’t like them at first, but found out how big a pain it was to go back to stock, without them.

They look nice to some degree, and, I have used them to access my roof rack etc, but not often.

They do not impact ground clearance, as the bottom of the steps are still higher than the frame rail. I checked this right away as I did not want to lose the modest ground clearance that the Santa Cruz has to begin with.

I am used to them now…and they do add a certain look….for those that like it.

Ken

 

I have them, came with my Night Edition.
I didn’t like them at first, but found out how big a pain it was to go back to stock, without them.

They look nice to some degree, and, I have used them to access my roof rack etc, but not often.

They do not impact ground clearance, as the bottom of the steps are still higher than the frame rail. I checked this right away as I did not want to lose the modest ground clearance that the Santa Cruz has to begin with.

I am used to them now…and they do add a certain look….for those that like it.

Ken

I considered getting the side step for my '23 Limited, but only as a protection agains door dings. My last car, a '19 Jeep Wrangler, had a set of 6" wide side steps. No lift kit or oversized tires. I did step on them get in, but I thought the protection from door dings was made them worth it. Just might drop the nickle for the SC, but I'd like to see them on a SC to see if they actually protect the doors.

 

Well, first, I have always added side steps to any vehicle I owned that had an option for them. Two reasons. The first, I added them as a form of protection. They greatly decrease the incidents of door dings from other cars. The doors from cars that park next to you will most likely hit the side steps before your sheet metal panels. Obviously if a taller vehicle parks next to you all bets are off. Second, for ease of entry and exit. I never understood the "they get in the way" argument. They've never been a problem for me. Also they will not reduce ground clearance. Take a look under your vehicle. There's lots of other items hanging lower than the side steps would. So my answer is yes, put them on. A functional and protective item in my opinion.

 

My Bronco needs side steps, my SC does not.

 

I wouldn't, its is low slung to begin with.

 

It's within an inch or so of having as much ground clearace as most versions of F 150. 2014 - 2023 Ford F-150 Ground Clearance Crazy huh?

 

Would be great for bashing your shins. My in-laws Colorado has them and they are annoying, but look OK. they are also great for catching snow (if you have any down there)/ building up with slush snow and ice

 

Just another failed attempt to make the SC look tough and rugged. They're totally unnecessary and have no purpose, except to make the SC look shorter in length and fatter in the
middle. I don't have them and never will.

Bob

 

There are plenty of things that really do very little….that folks add to their vehicles.
Some really like the look of the side steps. Very few vehicles actually “need” them….even lifted vehicles, though I’m sure someone will chime in and say their 20 foot lifted truck needed them lol.

Window tint degrades visibility at night…and isn’t “needed” but it’s indeed fashionable to do so…let’s be honest. (Again, I’m sure someone will say they live in whiteout conditions etc etc….just to challenge the assertion). It is but one of many examples of aesthetics over function.

I will say…my side steps aren’t flimsy, they are solid. If one has a need to get up higher, perhaps a shorter human being, they work great. And…much better footing than the door sills, in my opinion, especially between the doors.

They are quality pieces, so if you like them, you don’t need a mob’s permission.

Ken

 

There are plenty of things that really do very little….that folks add to their vehicles.
Some really like the look of the side steps. Very few vehicle actually “need” them….even lifted vehicles, though I’m sure someone will chime in and say their 20 foot lifted truck needed them lol.

Window tint degrades visibility at night…and isn’t “needed” but it’s indeed fashionable to do so…let’s be hone. (Again, I’m sure someone will say they live in whiteout conditions etc etc….just to challenge the assertion). It is but one of many examples of aesthetics over function.

I will say…my side steps aren’t flimsy, they are solid. If one has a need to get up higher, perhaps a shorter human being, they work great. And…much better footing than the door sills, in my opinion, especially between the doors.

They are quality pieces, so if you like them, you don’t need a mob’s permissio.

Ken

Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. You made up my mind. I'm going with my plan. Getting the sidesteps and the hood deflector.

 

I'm thinking of adding the OEM Side Steps to my 2024 Sara Cruz Limited.
I agree they're not needed for entry to and exit of the vehicle. But more for ease of loading items on the roof rack and cleaning the top of the vehicle.
My only concern is the potential decrease in clearance of the bottom of the vehicle.
Does anyone have them installed on their Santa Cruz? I greatly appreciate your feedback.

I have a 23 with side steps. I took them off because they interfered with loading and unloading my handicapped Mother In Law who uses a wheelchair. I couldn't get her close enough to the vehicle to transition her into the seat. If something like this is in your future I wouldn't install them. IF you do install them make sure you keep the trim pieces you have to remove from the vehicle. They are just flat plastic trim pieces but are incredibly expensive. I found a local SC owner who wanted Side Steps and we just traded straight up. Saved him a pile of money, and got me the rocker covers I needed for mine. Just something to think about from someone who has "been there, done that."

 

I added them and like them for the looks. I have used them to get up to stuff on the roof, but not often. Kinda like bull bars -- not many bulls wondering around where I live...

My wife hates them and wants me to remove them. It's an ongoing conversation...

 

I'm thinking of adding the OEM Side Steps to my 2024 Sara Cruz Limited.
I agree they're not needed for entry to and exit of the vehicle. But more for ease of loading items on the roof rack and cleaning the top of the vehicle.
My only concern is the potential decrease in clearance of the bottom of the vehicle.
Does anyone have them installed on their Santa Cruz? I greatly appreciate your feedback.

Wouldn’t you use the door sill to help with loading stuff to the roof rack and/or stand in the bed…
I looked over the SC with side steps at the dealer a while back - it matches the ground clearance of my RAV4, with the step it would be even less clearance than my RAV… it’s already low as it is, so was a simple no go for me…

 

I looked over the SC with side steps at the dealer a while back - it matches the ground clearance of my RAV4, with the step it would be even less clearance than my RAV… it’s already low as it is, so was a simple no go for me…

Factory authorized side steps do not lower the ground clearance. Accessories such as side steps that come as an option are designed to not alter the advertised ground clearance. Otherwise they would have to have two different specs for vehicles with and without factory side steps. Take a measurement of the ground clearance from the lowest point of your control arms to the ground and then find a SC with steps and take a measurement of ground clearance at the steps.

 

There is no grab handle on the window pillar. What are you going to grab on to in case you lose your balance and fall off the side step? There should be a handle to help the driver and passengers get in. There is no safety features in mind when adding the side steps.

 

If only there were handles above the doors…

 

Don't worry it's a short fall.

 

That handle is hard to grab onto from the outside. Also, it is too far back to squeeze your head and body and twisting your arm to get in.

Just try grabbing it with your left hand and try getting in. You obviously don't know and just commenting without any facts.

 

I grab mine most every time I get in, but I use my right hand. Not sure why you would try to use the left hand as it would be really awkward. I'm only 5'7". Maybe it is easier for shorter people to grab. Or maybe I am "obviously" ignorant. ;-)

 

My 23 Night came with the roof rack bars.
They work great as a place to grab onto when using the side steps.

Ken

 

The Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz want to look like trucks with the side steps, but I have to zonk them both for not having the front pillar handle. They messed thing up for the left handed people. Lol

It doesn't have anything to do with the left hand, but has to do with the left foot. The pillar handle is close to the center of gravity with their left foot. The further the handle is from their left foot, the harder it is to straighten themselves out if they fall sideways or backwards.

The left foot has to be far enough to the left to get the right foot pass the front of the seat. The left foot is somewhere under the front pillar.

 

Have you tried a pair of scissors?

 

I rather have some nice aftermarket custom ground effects than a side step. I wonder if anyone would ever make them.