JsnChristianson
Full Access Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2008
- Messages
- 190
- Reaction score
- 0
This is a simple write up showing how to install OEM running boards/step bars for the 1995-2000 Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon (GMT 400) vehicles that did not come from the factory equipped with the running board option.
I recently purchased and installed a set of GM factory side assist step bars from a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 on my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. My vehicle did not come from the factory with the running board/side step option, and therefore installation of these were slightly more difficult than initially anticipated, although this was overall still a managable modification.
Vehicles that came from the factory with the running board option were also equipped with 10 mounting brackets that are welded to the inner rocker panel of the vehicle and allow running boards to bolt to the vehicle. If the vehicle that you desire to mount the running boards to did not come from the factory with this option, these brackets will need to be purchased in order to install the running boards.
Below is are two pictures of the passenger side rocker panel of my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. The first picture shows where the front brackets are to be welded, the second picture shows where the rear brackets are to be welded. Notice the difference in the shape of the rocker panel at the rear of the vehicle.
The brackets that are needed and quantities are;
1. Front brackets, GM part number 15978912, quantity 8
2. Rear brackets, GM part number 15978913, quantity 2
In addition to the brackets, you have the option to purchase GM nuts and bolts that will go with teh brackets as well, but I found it much more simple and inexpensive to simply visit a local hardware store after the brackets are shipped to find the correct bolts.
After shopping around at the local dealership and a few online websites, I found the best prices for these parts shipped to my address at GM Parts Direct.
Below are images of the brackets that will be needed.
The OEM running boards/step bars have five mounting points that bolt to the brackets.
Below is a picture of the passenger side step bar as I purchased them without the mounting brackets attached.
In order for the brackets to bolt to the running boards without measuring, I found it easier to loosely bolt the mounting brackets to the step bars and then weld the whole assembly to the vehicle, as opposed to measuring and welding the brackets to the vehicle first and then hoping the measurements were correct so that the running boards will bolt up correctly.
Below is a picture of the passenger side step bar with the mounting brackets loosely attached.
Next comes the most difficult part when installing the running boards; welding them to the thin metal on the rocker panel of the vehicle without burning a hole through the vehicle.
When determining the location of the running board on the vehicle, use the rear bracket on the rocker panel of the vehicle dictate the correct position. The rear bracket must be behind the last plastic plug on the rocker panel, and before the wheel well starts to curve upwards. There is only centimeters of room for it to move forward or backward, so it is fairly easy to get in to mount in the correct place, and in turn mount the entire assembly in the correct place.
I did not personally weld the brackets on, but I am told that this was successfully accomplished by directing the majority of the heat at the thick metal of the brackets rather than the thin metal of the vehicle. This allowed for the brackets to be securely welded to the vehicle without burning a hole through the rocker panel.
Additionally, be sure to remove the plastic vehicle caps that are located next to the bracket mounting points to prevent them from destruction due to the heat. They pop out easily with a screwdriver and pop back in to place easily after the welding is completed. Finally, remember to firmly tighten the bolts that secure the mounting brackets to the running boards after welding is complete.
Below are pictures of the rocker panel of the vehicle after the brackets have been welded to the vehicle. The first picture shows the passenger side front brackets, while the second picture shows the passenger side rear bracket.
After all five mounting brackets are firmly welded to the rocker panel of the vehicle, installation of OEM running boards/step bars will be complete.
Below are pictures of the passenger side step bars securely mounted to the vehicle.
So this is everything that is needed to successfully install OEM running boards to the GMT 400 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon. Hopefully this write up is helpful for other Tahoe/Yukon owners who are considering this modification for their vehicles. If you have any other questions or I failed to mention anything, just let me know. Thank you and take care.
I recently purchased and installed a set of GM factory side assist step bars from a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 on my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. My vehicle did not come from the factory with the running board/side step option, and therefore installation of these were slightly more difficult than initially anticipated, although this was overall still a managable modification.
Vehicles that came from the factory with the running board option were also equipped with 10 mounting brackets that are welded to the inner rocker panel of the vehicle and allow running boards to bolt to the vehicle. If the vehicle that you desire to mount the running boards to did not come from the factory with this option, these brackets will need to be purchased in order to install the running boards.
Below is are two pictures of the passenger side rocker panel of my 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe LT. The first picture shows where the front brackets are to be welded, the second picture shows where the rear brackets are to be welded. Notice the difference in the shape of the rocker panel at the rear of the vehicle.
The brackets that are needed and quantities are;
1. Front brackets, GM part number 15978912, quantity 8
2. Rear brackets, GM part number 15978913, quantity 2
In addition to the brackets, you have the option to purchase GM nuts and bolts that will go with teh brackets as well, but I found it much more simple and inexpensive to simply visit a local hardware store after the brackets are shipped to find the correct bolts.
After shopping around at the local dealership and a few online websites, I found the best prices for these parts shipped to my address at GM Parts Direct.
Below are images of the brackets that will be needed.
The OEM running boards/step bars have five mounting points that bolt to the brackets.
Below is a picture of the passenger side step bar as I purchased them without the mounting brackets attached.
In order for the brackets to bolt to the running boards without measuring, I found it easier to loosely bolt the mounting brackets to the step bars and then weld the whole assembly to the vehicle, as opposed to measuring and welding the brackets to the vehicle first and then hoping the measurements were correct so that the running boards will bolt up correctly.
Below is a picture of the passenger side step bar with the mounting brackets loosely attached.
Next comes the most difficult part when installing the running boards; welding them to the thin metal on the rocker panel of the vehicle without burning a hole through the vehicle.
When determining the location of the running board on the vehicle, use the rear bracket on the rocker panel of the vehicle dictate the correct position. The rear bracket must be behind the last plastic plug on the rocker panel, and before the wheel well starts to curve upwards. There is only centimeters of room for it to move forward or backward, so it is fairly easy to get in to mount in the correct place, and in turn mount the entire assembly in the correct place.
I did not personally weld the brackets on, but I am told that this was successfully accomplished by directing the majority of the heat at the thick metal of the brackets rather than the thin metal of the vehicle. This allowed for the brackets to be securely welded to the vehicle without burning a hole through the rocker panel.
Additionally, be sure to remove the plastic vehicle caps that are located next to the bracket mounting points to prevent them from destruction due to the heat. They pop out easily with a screwdriver and pop back in to place easily after the welding is completed. Finally, remember to firmly tighten the bolts that secure the mounting brackets to the running boards after welding is complete.
Below are pictures of the rocker panel of the vehicle after the brackets have been welded to the vehicle. The first picture shows the passenger side front brackets, while the second picture shows the passenger side rear bracket.
After all five mounting brackets are firmly welded to the rocker panel of the vehicle, installation of OEM running boards/step bars will be complete.
Below are pictures of the passenger side step bars securely mounted to the vehicle.
So this is everything that is needed to successfully install OEM running boards to the GMT 400 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon. Hopefully this write up is helpful for other Tahoe/Yukon owners who are considering this modification for their vehicles. If you have any other questions or I failed to mention anything, just let me know. Thank you and take care.
