My Man Step
 

These trucks sit so high that reaching stuff over the side of the bed is impossible for most people. I liked the idea of the bed step that you can get on the F150, and I thought about trying to adapt it. But I decided that thing is too complicated for my taste. So I decided to make my own. This gives me just the boost I need to reach stuff in the front of the bed. And if I need to climb into the front of the bed while the fiver is hitched up, I can step over to the tire and then step over the side.

Ground clearance is important to me, so I tucked it up as close to the bed as I could.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m...0/DSCN1433.JPG

Put a foot pad on it from McMaster Carr. It is a fork truck pedal pad.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X...0/DSCN1427.JPG

Mounted it to the bed strut, second back from the front. This is the only long strut on my long bed, and it happens to be in just the right location. I don't know what the short bed has. The strut is only about 14ga steel, so there is a backing plate inside the strut to distribute the load.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-g...0/DSCN1429.JPG

Here are all the parts for one side. I put one on each side of the truck.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g...0/DSCN1431.JPG

Sweet! A lifesaver for those of us who are "vertically challenged." :D

If Tonka and I were in the same place today, I'd be going outside and taking measurements. :D

-blaine

Great idea ! I need to make one of those. Climbing in to fool with the hitch on the camper is a pain sometime. Reps !

Sell these kits to Clay!

That is the coolest idea!! Very well designed and fabricated!!!

This is my man step. It's nowhere near as nice as Bill's, but it was a lot less work to fabricate.

Amazon.com: B&R Plastics 101-6 White EZ Foldz Step Stool: Automotive

It also serves to get short people in the passenger seat, and for me to reach the hummingbird feeder on the high eve.

I'm just disgusted by the complete lack of rust...


Nice idea for the step but watch for the metal bending on that cross member.

That was my Plan "B", LOL.

We generally use the tire as a step. Although us youngins move about easier.

Brilliant! Love it!

I have the longer "Wheel to wheel" step bars on my short bed which works well for getting into the front of the bed. My truck has a lift gate so I have no rear bumper. I would love to have something like that, but located behind the tire closer to the tail light so I can get in the truck easier when the tail gate is open.

I need 2 please, can you let us know when to expect the UPS truck as I won't be home wed. AM.:-X04

I hadn't seen this thread until now. Great mod Bill! Reps sent.:-X22

Thanks, John. After living with these for a coupla months, including camping trips, they have proven very useful.

nice cheap mod...the steps below are a bit pricy, but they are what I'm going to get so I can have somehting similar. I'm 6'3" and even climbing onto the tire it's a bit of a reach at times

99-11 Ford F-250/F-350 Crew Cab-6 Step Short Bed Nerf Steps at Carolina Classic Trucks