Step or no step?

[Torkman66]

Discussed this a bit earlier on a related post but really need the Bronco community opinion. I built these steps to help my wife and I get into the Bronco. I also installed some nice grab handles to assist as well. I'm just not sure about how they look. If this Bronco was at a car show and you came across it, what would you think of the steps? Please let me know what you really think...I'm not wed to them either way and they can come right off. Thank you in advance.

 

[Speedrdr]

I like a step, personally, as my wife is vertically challenged and my EB has a 3 1/2” lift and 35’s.

Randy

 

[Cool67]

Is it the camera angle or my eyes but is the step level?……Other than that I like them alot

 

[Torkman66]

Yes. It is perfectly level with the bottom of the rocker. The pics are when the rear end was 2.5" higher than the front. I have since taken a couple leafs out of the back to get it within 1" of the front. Thanks.

 

[hsach]

I think they look great. The whole Bronco is incredible, I would love to see that at a car show!

 

[56f100bbw]

This is my opinion if I owned your bronco as nice as it is I would probably spend the bucks and put amp research steps or equivalent, the hidden type Great looking bronco my 1/2 cab is gonna be that color combo . With the picture on the wall in your shop, it looks like you are an early mustang fan am I right?

 

[Torkman66]

Thank you. I’d put the auto steps on but found out after the build that you cannot install them if you have the aux tank.

Yes, vintage mustangs for many years. Restored lots of them.

 

[nvrstuk]

That's a beautiful build... you wanted honest so ....

... those add-on steps destroy the off road worthiness look (if you do or don't) but that's what the vehicle represents.

Go AMP research or other brand so it doesn't look so much like - oh, I bought this cool looking Bronco but I can't get in it so I'll add a step... an afterthought.

My .02. My buddy and I modified and installed some F250 electrick steps on his Bronco. He wheels snow with me but not rock stuff. You are hard pressed to even know he has installed them AND now that he has Parkinsons (8 yrs now) it makes all the difference for when I help him in and take him for a drive.

Your post came up when I hit the send button... I'd pull the aftermarke tank (in a heartbeat) or have a smaller tank made so you could install the AMP style step.

 

[1969]

That's a beautiful build... you wanted honest so ....

... those add-on steps destroy the off road worthiness look (if you do or don't) but that's what the vehicle represents.

Go AMP research or other brand so it doesn't look so much like - oh, I bought this cool looking Bronco but I can't get in it so I'll add a step... an afterthought.

X2

 

[Torkman66]

I built this bronco from the frame up. Sure learned a ton doing it. Would definitely have deleted the aux tank had I known. More than just deleting tank, darn filler neck and cap should have been deleted.

 

[Shimmy]

i saw your previous thread on these and then thought "please no dude!!" haha! since you asked, i absolutely hate the look of these style steps... on any rig.

AMP or nothing IMO. i have a 77 and ditched the aux tank for future AMP steps. do you feel the need to keep the aux tank? there's a few 20-23gallon tank options.

 

[bigmuddy]

X2

X3 otherwise very nice rig.

 

[Comemonday71]

Nice looking Bronco you have there for sure. Doors look nicely aligned and the green color is hard to beat. Delete the steps.

 

[Beau Nugget]

i saw your previous thread on these and then thought "please no dude!!" haha! since you asked, i absolutely hate the look of these style steps... on any rig.

AMP or nothing IMO. i have a 77 and ditched the aux tank for future AMP steps. do you feel the need to keep the aux tank? there's a few 20-23gallon tank options.

This sums up my thoughts exactly. Your bronco is really nice. To me those steps don’t belong

 

[nvrstuk]

I built this bronco from the frame up. Sure learned a ton doing it. Would definitely have deleted the aux tank had I known. More than just deleting tank, darn filler neck and cap should have been deleted.

You could still run an aux tank so you wouldn't have a "fake" gas cap doing nothing there... you wouldn't be alone as I'll bet there were TONS of Broncos w/o an aux tank as we drilled holes in them to hold weatherstripping down (lol), they leaked like sieves, hoses rotted and never replaced, selector valve leaked or died, etc, etc... lol If you put a smaller custom tank in there you would still have a functional tank/cap! Probably over 24 yrs for me to fill the hole after I removed the aux tank. Ie even designed my rock skis so I could install the aux tank back in place. lol

 

[Bajabrewer]

That's a beautiful build... you wanted honest so ....

... those add-on steps destroy the off road worthiness look (if you do or don't) but that's what the vehicle represents.

Exactly what I was thinking - even if a Bronco never goes off road it should still look & be fully capable of tackling whatever the suspension/drivetrain will allow & those steps look like they could get hung up on some of the speed bumps I've seen near me.

As I get older I have been thinking of what to do when the Bronco becomes a challenge to get into(hopefully no time soon) so I am interested in possible solutions.

The Bronco is Beautiful by the way!!!

 

[jamesroney]

Is this a vote? I am 100% with @56f100bbw @nvrstuk @Bajabrewer @Beau Nugget and everybody else.

The point of having a Bronco with a front axle is to have a capable off road machine. The fact that you built a boulevard wheeler does not degrade the off-road capability. The theme of your build screams "capable." (lift, tires, flares.) The steps prove otherwise.

If the purpose of the step is to assist the passenger, then you only need to add a retractable step to one side, and the aux tank is moot. But if the purpose is to assist the driver, then you need both.

You will need to delete the aux tank, and weld up the fill hole. You do not want an aux tank, and if you have a 23 gallon primary tank, then you don't need it. If you don't want to weld up the hole, and you are a Mustang guy, you can simply replace the cap with an "Eleanor" LeMans style roller flip cap and JB-weld it shut.

Then you won't have to wonder why I'm pointing and giggling at the car show.

 

[ford man]

Might sound crazy but you could just put the amp steps on her side .Don't ever let her drive No really I might would see if there is a way to modify step or tank to get the best of both just a thought.

 

[Torkman66]

Ok. It’s settled. In my head I felt the same way. My Nieghbor came over and commented how the steps just seemed out of place. I’ll be removing them today! Really appreciate all your input.

So I’m 64 and while I can still get up in it fine, wife struggles. I’ll look into a one side electric step. I really like the idea of possibly having a custom fuel tank built that uses existing aux connections but opens up the space required for the steps. Would be a small tank but might be a great backup to have.

Thanks. Once removed I’ll come back with a few updated pics.

 

[JoePro]

Icon use a smaller AMP step about the size of your current steps. Anyone know if you can run those and still have an auxiliary tank?