Updated with install pics - Will drilling into pinch weld void warranty?

LOL. thanks.

it looks like we can actually drill into the pinch weld and not the frame which makes me feel a little better.

 

Not sure where you live, but you'll most likely want to consider some type of rust prevention after drilling. Could be as simple as lots of paint, or better yet a coating of some sort like Fluid Film.

 

Thanks @SR-71A . Does that still apply if it's the pinch weld i'm drilling into?

I'm in Oregon. Lots of moisture. If i wanted to paint the hardware that goes with the steps also black - my truck is metallic black - is there a spray paint that would be recommended that woudl last longer?

 

Absolutely if its the pinch weld. Honestly Ive never really had good luck with paint, so I cant speak to that too much. But given that you're in a damp climate and maybe(?) have to contend with road salts, Id say just go straight for Fluid Film. Do whatever you want to the hardware, do all the prep work, install the steps, and then give the whole area a coating w/ FF. I might even spray some up into the new hole before you install the hardware.

Fyi, it can make a mess and is a bi&ch to get out of clothes (like a really thick oil) so beware when applying.

 

Just weld outriggers to your frame long enough to position your step where you want it. Then you don't have to drill anything and they will be stout! Make sure you properly plate the area you are welding.

 

Bingo. This is the best answer.

 

Update - installed the steps this morning. It was relatively easy because I had it up on a rack. I wouldnt want to do it while laying on the ground.

I painted all the chrome hardware black so it matches the step (and the truck). A little touch up needed but surprised how much of it stayed during install.

Happy with result. They don’t hang as low as this picture looks, it was an odd angle. I didn’t lose any ground clearance (at least vertically). My wife and kids love them.

I just personally like this look so much better than a running board. Subjective , obviously.

 

Any problems drillin into the rocker panel..??

 

Eh, kinda. You just have to have the right kind of drill bit. The pinch weld was harder & the part I wouldn’t want to be laying on the ground for.

 

I know this is 2 years late, I had an entire snow plow installed into my 2nd gen frame which required drilling several large holes.. Toyota replaced the frame during the rust recall, and also said plow install would not void warranty on my new 3rd gen. If I bent a suspension component by smacking into something then no, thats not covered. Same as if a tech at the dealer stripped a lug nut.

But simply drilling a hole into frame will not void trucks warranty.

 

I also favor hoop step, so I went to a local accessory shop and purchased 2 Carr hoop steps for my 2017 extended cab and when I took it in for install and after waiting for an hour they said they could not install them because there was nowhere to bolt the top of the rear bracket (maybe using the holes from the factory) due to the way the rocker tapers down. Any suggestions? Is this just an issue on extended cabs