I think I messed up and didn't know the 4x4 sat higher than the 2 wheel drive

ScottFL · Jul 12, 2017

So, now I'm even more pissed. I just went up to the RAM web site and built you guys trucks and sure enough, the Sport and Rebel with a short bed have the option of side steps that clearly show three brackets which cost $425.

Yet the more expensive model, the Longhorn gives you $695 side steps with two brackets. They are chrome, but hell, give me black like the Sport and Rebel, just give me three brackets.

I love my RAM, but they screwed me with this side step fiasco. Because the the disparity and uncertainty of what will actually end up on your truck, I will never recommend the OEM steps. I'm just waiting for mine to fall off before I get some that hook to the frame like they should have been from the beginning.

TRCM · Jul 12, 2017

quietpeen said:
This is not accurate. I have a crew cab short bed and my oem steps have three mounting brackets

Same here

ScottFL said:
Were you guys steps installed at the factory or dealership, maybe the dealer put aftermarket on?

Not sure how you got three brackets on OEM side steps, I have been round and round and have exhausted all my options. My steps do not even have holes midway. My Laramie Longhorn crew cab short bed came with wheel to wheel side steps and I have been pissed since day one that there are only two brackets, check out my thread: LINK

Even RAM Cares confirmed this, read this message:

Hi Scott,

My contact got back to me. After looking into this further your vehicle is a Crew 98 (140 wheel base) which comes with the OEM side steps with 2 brackets. If you would have gotten the Crew 91 (149 wheel base) you would have gotten the longer side step which would require the third bracket. Your vehicle is equipped with the correct OEM side step. My contact also sent over some images that help explain this, if you would like to provide your email address I'd be happy to send them to you.

Andrea
Ram Social Care Specialist

Well, mine are genuine mopar steps, installed at the dealer.

Mine are wheel to wheel....if you get the normal side steps which aren't wheel to wheel, then yes, you would have only 2 brackets. Mine have a 3rd step pad for access to the bed.

And mine were a heck of a lot more than $695 not including labor.

ScottFL said:
So, now I'm even more pissed. I just went up to the RAM web site and built you guys trucks and sure enough, the Sport and Rebel with a short bed have the option of side steps that clearly show three brackets which cost $425.

Yet the more expensive model, the Longhorn gives you $695 side steps with two brackets. They are chrome, but hell, give me black like the Sport and Rebel, just give me three brackets.

I love my RAM, but they screwed me with this side step fiasco. Because the the disparity and uncertainty of what will actually end up on your truck, I will never recommend the OEM steps. I'm just waiting for mine to fall off before I get some that hook to the frame like they should have been from the beginning.

And from my experience, the ones that go to the frame are even worse, as the length to get to the frame is a lot more, and they tend to have a lower weight capacity because of this, or they bend easier, which is very common.

Ratket · Jul 12, 2017

I don't think any manufacture has steps that mount to the frame- my factory steps work great- but I do have the 3 bracket style on my mega cab. So I can't speak to the feel of the two bracket type.

quietpeen · Jul 12, 2017

TRCM Just more clarification.....mine are not wheel to wheel side steps and they have 3 mounting brackets.

Scotfl...my truck also did not come from the factory with them on but I think sir_johns did. I bought mine from rock auto when the shipping was cheaper and installed them myself for less than $300. My tuck was "ready" for them though as in I just bolted them on and didn't need the rivnut kit that came with them. You can buy the steps you want with three mounting brackets and install them.

bryan28 · Jul 12, 2017

My 17 Laramie cc short bed has factory wheel to wheel steps with only 2 mounting points.

zogg · Jul 12, 2017

I have installed side steps on many vehicles, including four Rams. eBay has them for under $200, and they are decent. Install is simple as they all have brackets that fit well. No drilling and just a few hand tools. Takes about an hour.

JB1 · Jul 12, 2017

My 2017 1500 CC was predrilled in 3 locations for the factory steps, each location had pair of holes about 3" apart

ScottFL · Jul 12, 2017

TRCM said:
Same here

Well, mine are genuine mopar steps, installed at the dealer.

Mine are wheel to wheel....if you get the normal side steps which aren't wheel to wheel, then yes, you would have only 2 brackets. Mine have a 3rd step pad for access to the bed.

And mine were a heck of a lot more than $695 not including labor.

And from my experience, the ones that go to the frame are even worse, as the length to get to the frame is a lot more, and they tend to have a lower weight capacity because of this, or they bend easier, which is very common.

Mine are also "wheel to wheel" side steps which have the pad for bed access, it looks like dependant on trim level dictates which get three brackets.

Here is a link covering my endeavor for a third bracket - LINK

I PM'd RAM Cares last night when I learned that the less expensive models get three brackets. I really am pissed about this.

DRkNESS · Jul 12, 2017

My 2011 BigHorn came with (3) brackets as well as the (3) pads and was installed by the dealer at the time I purchased my Ram. Of course one of the brackets broke off on my drivers side so I'm pulling both sides off. I tried to enhance the photo of the (3) brackets as much as possible.

F.O.F

quietpeen · Jul 12, 2017

ScottFL said:
Mine are also "wheel to wheel" side steps which have the pad for bed access, it looks like dependant on trim level dictates which get three brackets.

Here is a link covering my endeavor for a third bracket - LINK

I PM'd RAM Cares last night when I learned that the less expensive models get three brackets. I really am pissed about this.
View attachment 89867

crawl under your truck and see if the holes are there for the 3rd bracket. If they are buy the ones with 3 brackets and sell yours.

Sir John · Jul 12, 2017

quietpeen said:
TRCM my truck also did not come from the factory with them on but I think sir_johns did.

That is correct, mine came on the truck from the factory as part of the "Mopar 16" option. I must say, these oem step bars are the best I ever had on my trucks. They attach in 4 spots per mounting bracket (see pic below, looking from underneath the truck outwards) making them rock solid...no flex at all when stepping on them. I'm pretty sure they come in black or stainless.

Jared4.7 · Jul 12, 2017

Are the bars with 3 brackets better than the 2? From my searching it seems like the stainless Mopar bars only have 2 mounts and the chromed ones have 3.

ScottFL · Jul 12, 2017

When your fat ass weighs 375, the more brackets the better for weight distribution.

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Curlyp · Jul 12, 2017

I recommend steps as well.

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Goat28 · Jul 12, 2017

When I purchased my 2wd recently. The dealer started that the 4wd and 2wd sit at the same height. I was wondering cause I had an issue getting in and had no problem in my 2wd f150

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brianw0048 · Jul 12, 2017

Goat28 said:
When I purchased my 2wd recently. The dealer started that the 4wd and 2wd sit at the same height. I was wondering cause I had an issue getting in and had no problem in my 2wd f150

From what I've seen in the past, 2wd ALWAYS sit lower than 4wd from the factory. And for the most part, smaller trucks are lower than the larger trucks...s-10 is lower than a 1500 which is lower than a 2500 (factory 4wd).

I thought this was common knowledge...

Goat28 · Jul 12, 2017

That's what I thought too. Until I tried to get into this truck.

Doing a little research... It seems people on other forums are saying it is the same height however one person said the specs say 1/2" higher on the 4x4. So not much difference at all.

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Cummins Dog · Jul 12, 2017

I had just about the same scenario with my '16 2500 4x4. I'd had a '04 1500 2x4 since it was new and it was a big difference. Side steps solved the problem.

bryan28 · Jul 12, 2017

Gave my mom a ride to sister's house today and she's 5' nothing and in her 70's. She stood on a small plastic stool to get in and I parked beside the curb so she could climb out.

Eline24lenny · Jul 14, 2017

Yeah not true I have a short bed quad cab mine has three mounting brackets

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I think I messed up and didn't know the 4x4 sat higher than the 2 wheel drive

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