Tyger Bars (Lowering solution)

I bought the Tyger bars expecting them to be used as steps for my daughter and wife (pricing). They sat a little high to the truck's body to actually be used as steps so I had to figure something out to lower them. Just figured some longer metric bolts and something in between the bar brackets and truck would suffice. I found my solution after two trips to Home Depot and wanted to pass on to anyone else wanting to lower their Tyger bars in the future. Believe it all cost me around $15-$16. (12) M8-1.25x50mm bolts and (1pk) 1/2inch hex nuts. Retained the original lock washer and washer from Tyger kit. Had my wife pull on the bars as I tighten down the bolts to get them as far out as possible.

Note: If you do decided to have someone help with the pulling make sure to tighten the front and rear first then the middle, I did the middle first and was unable to get the fronts/rears as far out as I wanted so had to start over, just a FYI.



My lil helper -=]

 

hey how much do you estimate those bars weigh per side? just curious. happy Easter to you and your family.

 

I have those, they are heavy. Probably 40 lbs per side. They are nice, especially for the cost.

OP, my only concern with using nuts for spacers, is concentrating the weight of a person on a smaller contact area. My choice would be using some type of aluminum or steel block, with a larger area of contact. Think "putting dimples in the body". Not sure if that's a valid concern though.

 

that is a terrible idea

 

Care to share why?

 

You have compromised the structural integrity of the mount and decreased the load bearing capacity. The mounting points are meant to be flush, surface to surface.

 

I be curious also to why is it terrible? I get what @riverrockar is saying with the contact area. the bolts are long enough where threading is not a concern, plus it's not like I am going to be standing on the bars for a extended period of time. Perhaps I stand on them for a minute or less, I am still looking into a more square solution which may lead me to a local welding shop to see about some sort of aluminium/steel block washer type.

 

Perhaps something like this

 

The mounting point on the vehicle could bend in over time even with minimal weight if its not mounted flush, same for the mounting flange on the unit. Bolts could also break due to the unusual stress on them the way they are used. The load bearing points are meant to be distributed evenly. Just ask the manufacture.

 

Understood. I will be going back to the drawing board and finding a square flat solution.

 

Just trying to keep you and your family safe!

 

Oh no doubt! No offense taken over here. Actually appreciate the solid advice instead of just saying "oh stupid" and leaving no advice lol. Do you think those square washers I posted would suffice?

 

I liked the Tyger's also in the beginning because of the price and construction. However, after I learned they were useless as an actual step I purchased the Havoc HS2 part# HPG-001410. If you search you can see my post with photos. Some say they are too beefy and they do cost more but they make the wife happy which is all that counts.

 

If cost is the driving factor what about just waiting to find a pair of used tube steps? I have these and they work great but I’m selling them to build sliders. I’m not trying to sell them to you because I doubt we live anywhere near each other but I’m putting them up for 125$. My thoughts are I’m sure you could find a deal similar local to you instead of spending the time and money to modify something

 

I am root

 

The square plates would not help. Still would have integrity issues in my opinion. Might be worth a call to the manufacture to see if they have an idea/solution to your issue. I am sure you would not be the first person to ask!

 

that’s a shit ton of leverage being applied to the bolt. if you want to do it. do it right have a fab shop cut off the tabs and weld new ones on at the height you want.

trying to figure the actual stress placed on this bolts with stacked washers and moving your leverage point 20mm down is going to be tough.

 

Going to take the bars off and extend the brackets by welding new pieces at the length I am going for. Father in law has all the welding tools and said he help out.

 

make sure you add gussets to help spread additional forces

 

Good for you. I understand him wanting them lower, but there needs to be a lot of contact on the surface. Maybe an aluminum bar the full length of the board?