Need help putting on step bars!!!!

[yadd3ie]

I just traded in my 2017 Sahara for a 2023 rubicon I need help putting on new step bars. I don’t have the tools and I’m not car handy

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[The Chubbernaut]

What bars do you have? Do they bolt to the body or the frame? Did it come with mounting brackets and hardware? Tools tend to be fairly cheap if you're not worried about reusability. In fact, your Jeep should've come with a ratcheting wrench, so all you'd probably have to invest in is the right size socket...which you may also already have.

The best way to gain confidence and competence is through experience and failure. I would recommend finding an instructional video on youtube (if you know the brand, most manufacturers seem to post installation videos). If that isn't something you wish to do, I'm sure any shop would be willing to charge you for the pleasure!

 

[Sparty]

Sounds like it's time to buy some tools and learn to become handy

 

[Sazabi19]

Not being a dick but YT is really gonna be your friend. All you'll really need probably is a socket set, torque wrench (to be proper), and maybe a MAP torch depending which bolts you're taking off. If you're taking off body bolts GL, you may wanna have a shop do it because it takes rounds of heating the bolts to loosen the locktite (you'll want gloves cuz the heat transfers to your wrench) and make sure you're applying upward pressure, shearing a body bolt requires a trip to a shop so they can extract it (somethings tells me you don't have a welder). Simple bolt on parts like this are really beginner level add-ons, you'll be surprised how easy it is, just takes time and minimal knowledge, mostly common sense.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I just traded in my 2017 Sahara for a 2023 rubicon I need help putting on new step bars. I don’t have the tools and I’m not car handy

Many manufacturers have videos on installations. Virtually all have instructions, either paper or online. These instructions often have a list of tools required.

If you are intending to learn to use tools, I'd recommend you buy decent tools from the start. For my choice, I often choose Tekton tools. Nice balance of high quality and economy. Undoubtedly, there'll be many brands others favor.

And last, some have lists of dealers on their website, which may install their products.

 

[dchemphill1]

The most difficult part is holding the part while also putting the bolt in. Get a buddy, girlfriend or wife to help hold weight while you put bolts in. Advice: don’t have your girlfriend and wife work together. It will add a certain difficulty that doesn’t help the process.

 

[roaniecowpony]

If the steps you buy require the removal of the body mount bolts, I'd highly recommend you find a very experienced shop to install them. While it is possible to remove the bolts without heating them, it can be a disaster as well. Heating with a torch is also not great. The best and most successful method involves an expensive induction bolt heater.
Solary Induction Heater Bolt Removal, 1100W 110V Magnetic Induction Heater Kit for Rusty Screw Removing, Nut Buster Tool with 3 Coil - Amazon.com

 

[Terrymo]

Unless you look like this or bring all this you should work on the handy with tools thing
Or join a local Jeep club and ask for help

 

[Joe's_Roxy]

If the steps you buy require the removal of the body mount bolts, I'd highly recommend you find a very experienced shop to install them. While it is possible to remove the bolts without heating them, it can be a disaster as well. Heating with a torch is also not great. The best and most successful method involves an expensive induction bolt heater.
Solary Induction Heater Bolt Removal, 1100W 110V Magnetic Induction Heater Kit for Rusty Screw Removing, Nut Buster Tool with 3 Coil - Amazon.com

Seriously???!!! I used my cheapo Harbor Freight Heat Gun to remove mine after the highly experienced and qualified dealership body shop said they couldn't be removed.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...t-11-amp-dual-temperature-heat-gun-56434.html

Applied heat for several minutes and tried the bolt. If it didn't move, heated some more. Rinse, lather, repeat until I was able to remove the bolts and installed my ACE Rock Rails.

 

[Sazabi19]

If the steps you buy require the removal of the body mount bolts, I'd highly recommend you find a very experienced shop to install them. While it is possible to remove the bolts without heating them, it can be a disaster as well. Heating with a torch is also not great. The best and most successful method involves an expensive induction bolt heater.
Solary Induction Heater Bolt Removal, 1100W 110V Magnetic Induction Heater Kit for Rusty Screw Removing, Nut Buster Tool with 3 Coil - Amazon.com

But hearing the pops as you're loosening them build character...

Seriously???!!! I used my cheapo Harbor Freight Heat Gun to remove mine after the highly experienced and qualified dealership body shop said they couldn't be removed.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...t-11-amp-dual-temperature-heat-gun-56434.html

Applied heat for several minutes and tried the bolt. If it didn't move, heated some more. Rinse, lather, repeat until I was able to remove the bolts and installed my ACE Rock Rails.

Did mine with the MAP torch I bought just for it. It was a bit nerve wracking as the torque I had to apply was greater than what spec called for, but I got them off, just had to go slow and methodical. A lot of shops around me refuse to do body bolts as well.

 

[Joe's_Roxy]

Did mine with the MAP torch I bought just for it. It was a bit nerve wracking as the torque I had to apply was greater than what spec called for, but I got them off, just had to go slow and methodical. A lot of shops around me refuse to do body bolts as well.

Yeah, was definitely nerve wracking since I had already broke the first body bolt that the dealership replaced for me. That is when they told me that the body bolts were not supposed to come out. This forum and youtube were my friend in finding out how to remove the bolts. And...with the luck I had already been having on my damn near brand new Jeep...there was NO WAY I was putting any flames near my JEEP!!!! HAHAHA

 

[Terrymo]

I successfully removed the body bolts. Everybody loves to brag about how easy it was like they cheated death. I know I felt like I probably had some luck on my side. OP admits they own no tools and aren’t handy so there’s that.

 

[whitechocolate]

most likely

 

[roaniecowpony]

Seriously???!!! I used my cheapo Harbor Freight Heat Gun to remove mine after the highly experienced and qualified dealership body shop said they couldn't be removed.

https://www.harborfreight.com/power...t-11-amp-dual-temperature-heat-gun-56434.html

Applied heat for several minutes and tried the bolt. If it didn't move, heated some more. Rinse, lather, repeat until I was able to remove the bolts and installed my ACE Rock Rails.

Somes are easy and somes are a buggar. Mine were a buggar. I used a MAP torch. But a bolt induction heater will heat the bolt itself, with less heat on other parts (rubber mounts) and make it ready to remove in seconds.

If you encounter one that's a buggar, it could ruin your day.

 

[SlickRicksWilly]

What type of steps do you have? Knowing that will help point you in the correct direction. How they mount plays a big part of the install as you can see by the body mount bolt breaking concerns. The $170 induction bolt heater seems a bit overkill, especially for someone who said they don't have tools to begin with.

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