Lowering tube steps

I know this has been a topic which has arised multiple times on the forum and many people say just get new ones or sliders, bla bla bla... I don't like the look of sliders and I like the factory steps, HOWEVER... they are WAYYY too close to the sill and almost serve no purpose at their stock height.

I just lowered mine a full 2 inches, just trying to figure out if I should keep them that way or not, pictures:

Lowered side







Non Lowered side









How does the lowered side look? It seems like it is just perfect and accomplishes a much smaller step to get in. Additionally it doesn't put your feet anywhere close to the sill and is still just as sturdy as the other side. I just have to secure the end which has no bolt.

I bought twelve 3 inch grade 8 M8x1.25 bolts and some 3/8" couplers from ACE and between the stock washers I transferred from the stock bolts and the couplers it fills in all the non threaded area of the bolt perfectly, you can actually see the coupler spacers on one of the pictures of the lowered tube step. I have yet to put them on the other side as you can see. Even the side which has only one bolt holding onto it holds it very sturdy, which you can actually see in the picture of the lower side that there is a spacer on one mounting bracket and there is one missing on the one closest to the mudflap. There is one part on the bracket that I cannot put the bolt in because since everything was lowered it will no longer accept the longer bolt unless I slot the bracket, though I would hardly call it good like that though, its just on there temporary until I can find a way to slot the mounting bracket, I don't have a dremel or anything.

What do you guys think? Too low?

 

if they serve the purpose of a lower step in, you should be the judge, can you live with it? i think it looks fine.

 

I like the lowered side more.. I found the tube steps to be totally worthless since they were so close to the frame.

 

Little update. I just went 4 wheeling and they were not a problem whatsoever. They have been absolutely a marvel to step on now that I have some gap between them and the sills. These are definitely keepers. I just had my buddy step on them and rock the car a little, 250lbs+ and they hold him perfectly fine, even after bouncing on them too.