Struggling to remove oem running boards

Having a bit of a struggle here, folks. Ive got all the bolts off but this one that is on the rear end of the side steps. It looks like an allen head with a nut on it that is holding the bracket in place but it also seems like that bolt serves a separate purpose than being a running board bracket mount. Please advise on how to remove this and if I need to put the nut back to serve its original purpose when im done. Thanks, from the guy who's not a mechanic

EDIT: I have not hit it with my purse yet. Wanted to get some info on it first

 

Hard tell from the picture (is the camera looking up or aft?) Could be a body mount.

 

The camera is looking up in the original photo. In this photo, the nut and stud is behind the plate where my finger is pointing and the camera is now looking horizontal

 

Here is another photo. Similar angle from farther away

 

Yep....looks like a cab mount. Here's a picture of my 2007. On mine it isn't a allen head just the end of the bolt. You'll need to put it back together once you remove the side step bracket. Maybe someone can chime in with the torque.

 

I’ve had 2 different side steps(OEM and NFAB) and never encountered that problem.

PS: The purse comment had me rolling!

 

What brand and model are those steps? What I would do is look up the install instructions and basically reverse the steps for that part. I wanna saw that you can just remove that nut(don’t lay directly beneath that fat bracket!) and you should be able to just reinstall it.

But idk, I’d hate to be responsible if your truck blows up lol

 

You'll have to remove the kick panel and peel back the carpet to remove a small rubber/plastic grommet that covers the head of that bolt, otherwise when you try and loosen it'll just spin in place. The torque is around 35 ft lbs or so.

 

That is far beyond what i am willing to go through. Ive got an angle grinder that can cut it out of view until someone feels abitious enough to follow through with that!

 

That's an odd design for steps to mount to body mounts vs cab.
OP, that locking nut is ideally not to be reused once removed. You need to go to a local toyota dealer and buy a new one. Torque spec is 34 ft/lb.

https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-top-nut-90177a0012