Tailgate ladder

When I installed mine, I used red Threadlocker on the bolts. I never said I wasn't paranoid.

 

So I ordered the OEM step from my local dealer Saturday night and picked it up this morning. Took about half an hour to install. The included instructions were fine. I did not use a vise (my vise is way too dinky and 33 ft-lb would probably either tear it off the bench or flip the bench). I used the tail gate as a work surface and held it down with one hand while using my torque wrench in the other (The wrench is 18" long and rated to 160 ft-lb). Bolting it to the bumper mount point wasn't a big deal. The lower bolt was hidden from view so I got it by feel. I did need an extension to torque it to 66 ft-lb, though. The upper bolt was very easy. I set the platform so it mounts to the outside, not the inside. And it holds my sorry overweight hind end just fine.

Reading about others who needed a breaker bar to remove the bolts concerns me. The truck was rear-ended 2 years ago and the bumper was replaced. Now I am a bit concerned that the dealer collision shop may not have properly torqued the 5 bolts down there. Clearly I was not breaking anywhere near 66 ft-lb when I removed the two bolts. I am guessing it took maybe 15 ft-lb to break loose the bolts. Time to have the bolts checked before there is a problem.

 

Mine were tough to break loose, breaker bar was the only way those were coming out. I’d check the rest of them, sounds like they weren’t torqued properly as you said. I’d check your U bolts while you’re under there. Half mine were out of wack from the factory. I forget the ft-lb on them though.

 

Glad you got the step installed! You are right to check the bumper bolts -- better to be safe that sorry. But it sounds like you have that under control (or will shortlY).

How does the step work for you? Does it meet your needs?

Congrats !

 

Yup. Easy to deploy easy to stow. Easy to climb onto bed.

 

I found a lot of torque specs for the 4Runner in . All rear bumper bolt torque is listed as 13 ft-lb. That just doesn’t pass the sniff test. When I get a chance to visit the dealer to comfirm bolt spec I’ll report back.

 

So a little Google and I uncovered some mechanical engineering facts about installation torque versus removal torque. The latter is less than the former. In both cases there is friction between bolt head and part being bolted as well as in the threads. Tightening also mechanically works the threads, which you don't have when backing off. This all assumes that the parts are clean and not dirty or rusted. My bolts were clean.

I visited the dealer collision center and they checked the torque for all the bumper attach bolts. Everything is within spec. So no worry about my bumper falling off or otherwise not acting as designed.

 

Excellent, better safe than sorry

 

Wouldn't you love to be able to [affordably] put one of these on your Tacoma:

 

I always wonder how well those fancy GMC tailgates will hold up over time.... but I do miss those corner steps/bumper cutouts that my Sierra had. In a perfect world, my Tacoma tailgate would be as light as the one on my F250 and my bumper would have the little cutout steps.

 

GMC probably has a patent on that idea. Otherwise I'm sure others would have followed suit.

 

until you forget your hitch ball is installed in your hitch, and you lower your fancy step tailgate, and it rams into the hitch ball and wipes out your fancy tailgate...

 

These work very well too. Nice off-roading bumper saver as well as a step for easier shell rooftop access and for reaching in the bed but only without putting the tailgate down:

Body Armor 5136 Universal Hitch Skid Universal Hitch Skid, Black

$133 BODYARMOR 5136 Universal Hitch Skid Universal Hitch Skid, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWBGCHB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_DQ599MN5FPZAY8FZVVPB?_encoding=UTF8

 

I know someone who did just that. 2 week old truck & showing off the "special" tailgate.