Question about old Smittybilt Nerf Bars (from a 2000 PreRunner)

Had to retire my 120K mile 2000 PreRunner due to an accident last week.

I'm in the process of moving a few choice pieces from the PR to a 50K mile 2002 2.7 4x4. I'm thinking about replacing the 2002 4x4's chrome step bars with the matte black Smittybilts from my PR - BUT - it looks like the bars on the PR are frame mounted while the 4x4 bars are mounted to body brackets.

So here's the deal - the PR Smittybilt looks like it has an extra mounting bolt with no corresponding hole on the 4x4. Did they used to drill mounting holes in frames to mount these or does the 2000 frame have a different mounting method?

Does anyone know if the old frame mounted Smittybilts needed to have mounting holes drilled? I can't find ANY references to frame mounted Tacoma Smittybilts ANYWHERE.

 

its been a long ass time, but i do believe they required a few drilled holes. however, remember these are just barley steps, nothing else.

 

Yeah, I hear you. I won't go any further if the swap requires drilling but I did like the frame mounted Smittybilt bars much better than the body bracket version (which just looks cheap).

I use them to step into the truck and to help me reach stuff on the top rack - the frame mounted bars are quite stout and feel much more substantial than the "decorative" chrome ones I just inherited.

 

Yes, you have to drill into the frame. I had to buy a 90 degree drill to do it. A regular drill wouldn't fit between the frame and the body to drill