im planning to build some steps for my truck this weekend. pipe with expanded metal over the top running the length of the cab +/-.

i was thinking 2 ID sch 40 pipe with 3/4" #9 expanded metal. im gonna sandwich the frame with bolted on plate to attach them. any thoughts/feedback is appreciated. i was thinking sch 40 was a little too heavy, but better too heavy than too weak.

 

Hmm - are you a big boy?

 

Here is a pic of mine.

 

5x2 tube....looks sweet! See my pics.

 

i like the wayurs look cquestad. in fact, i was looking for ur truck earlier, but couodnt remember ur name. im looking to do expanded metal over the top for mud scraping.

so...u think sch 40 is too overkill?

 

Well I have just the factory dodge chrome ones,, Im 300lbs, 6 2. and they hold me with no problems,, and I am pretty sure that they are not anywheres near as thick of metal as what you are planning there.. jmo

Kevin

 

Tell me how many supports, how far the span between supports, distance away from the frame to centeline of step, and total step length...and how much weight you would like to support...and I will let you know. I can lift my truck with mine...and they are 10 gauge wall.

 

i ended up doing it out of 2"x2"x1/8" wall square tubing with 3/4" #9 expanded metal over the top. they came out pretty good. i need to modify the rear mount on the drivers side, and may go back and reinforce it some. how did y'all handle the attachment to the truck?

right now, on the front, i welded tubing running perpedicular to the step to a piece of 1/8" plate. on the top and bottom of the plate i welded 2x2x1/8" angle iron. then i ran a bolt vertically thru the fram (using an existing hole). on the rear, i just have it welded to 1/8" plate and bolted through the frame. i think what im gonna do it beef up the plate with some angle iron, and sandwich it with some angle iron BEHIND the frame. itsa holding up fine the way it is now, but it does have a little bit of give.

i dont need to pick the truck up with em or anything, just wanna make em strong enuf.....