step replacement options

[Guruman]

I've had the cab tilted up for a few days trying to figure out how to get this PTO installed for the winch setup, and I noticed that one of the cable sections on my step/ladder/whatever to get into the cab is starting to show some broken cable strands. Which got me thinking about replacement options.

I could probably swage in a new cable section or source a used or NOS step assembly from somewhere for stupid amounts of cash. But , I hate these things.

Anyone seen or done something better?

 

[coachgeo]

be careful leaving it tilted. I did that and one corner of the windshield popped out. Its not happened to anyone else yet though so maybe I just got unlucky.

As to steps.... seen some use large scrap chain.... motorcycle/bicycle design but larger.... though I guess one could use motorcycle size-ish but two rows of it on each side.

If recall right there is a pretty good discussion on this in here already. Search should find it.

 

[Third From Texas]

I've seen steps that fold down. Just another thing to do to get into or out of the truck. I've seen the cable replaced with motorcycle drive chain.

Nothing I would consider an upgrade

 

[Ronmar]

The chain ones look interesting, i recall a vid of a truck using them in africa. Looked like they worked well and didn't hang up on the tires when lowering the cab(might be how your cables got damaged). The stub on the end of the cable usually hangs up on the tread and folds back and bends as the cab comes down. Think I would use double row chain though.

you can find buyers brand cable steps thru many truck suppliers($100-150?).

Can probably get used oems from someone scrapping cabs…

 

[Guruman]

I was kind of hoping someone already did some engineering to get more of a step than a ladder.

Wondering if I can modify a set of RV powered steps to extend with the door opening? Mounted where the storage/washer compartments are? Moving the washer bottle shouldn't be hard at all.

Depending on the RV steps, I might be able to pick up a set and just narrow them to fit the width of the storage space, cut out the bottom and mount the step tucked up inside the storage space.

Getting in and out of this thing is probably our biggest challenge and the hardest sell for the wife. My daughter already fell out of it once and got banged up pretty good. I'm old enough to break a hip.... figure I gotta come up with something.

 

[coachgeo]

@olly hondro had a good idea of using transfercase chain for a stirrup step.

The search engine in here really sucks. appologize.. at moment cant find the thread I was alluding to earlier. Will search more later

 

[Keith Knight]

I stared a couple years ago engineering and fabrication of electric steps that come down when the door opens but have shelved that idea for a simpler stronger idea.
Here is a quick sketch of my thoughts. Very simple and strong. Yes its terrible have to remember to lift it out of the way but I figure the only time it needs to be up is during rough off-roading and during a cab tilt but if designed properly maybe not during cab tilt.

 

[Guruman]

I stared a couple years ago engineering and fabrication of electric steps that come down when the door opens but have shelved that idea for a simpler stronger idea. View attachment 877893
Here is a quick sketch of my thoughts. Very simple and strong. Yes its terrible have to remember to lift it out of the way but I figure the only time it needs to be up is during rough off-roading and during a cab tilt but if designed properly maybe not during cab tilt.

What if you took this design and added a pneumatic actuator to flip the step up and down or just in the up direction, letting gravity do the "down"?

 

[Ronmar]

Yea pneumatic would be cool, you might need a bypass to release/lower the steps when the tanks are empty. As mentioned, you would need to be carefull about design and tire clearance when raising the cab.

I had thought about fold-ups using a gas strut, so they automatically retract when you step off them, but pushing them down with your foot when dismounting, might be problematic… chain and cable seem the most trouble free…

 

[Guruman]

Yea pneumatic would be cool, you might need a bypass to release/lower the steps when the tanks are empty. As mentioned, you would need to be carefull about design and tire clearance when raising the cab.

I had thought about fold-ups using a gas strut, so they automatically retract when you step off them, but pushing them down with your foot when dismounting, might be problematic… chain and cable seem the most trouble free…

Yeah. I'm just hoping to get more like steps and less like a ladder....

 

[Keith Knight]

I agree with you the problem with the cable or chain is it’s a ladder and when exiting it’s always difficult finding that bottom step because it’s hiding under the box. This design would put the step in a visible more natural area.
I’ve added a few extra things on my vehicle that requires air even when the tanks are empty after not running the engine for a period of time so I installed an auxiliary 12 air compressor and small reservoir tank. So pneumatic actuators are in play with my design as well. The step project is later down the road after I finish building the interior of my habitat.

 

[Guruman]

I agree with you the problem with the cable or chain is it’s a ladder and when exiting it’s always difficult finding that bottom step because it’s hiding under the box. This design would put the step in a visible more natural area.
I’ve added a few extra things on my vehicle that requires air even when the tanks are empty after not running the engine for a period of time so I installed an auxiliary 12 air compressor and small reservoir tank. So pneumatic actuators are in play with my design as well. The step project is later down the road after I finish building the interior of my habitat.

Thinking about those pneumatic actuators... My thought was if it's designed for gravity (or maybe a spring) to lower the step, then when the truck had no air, the steps would lower, allowing you to get in to start it.

With the hundred or so other projects I have in my head, this will likely never happen...

 

[Mullaney]

I've had the cab tilted up for a few days trying to figure out how to get this PTO installed for the winch setup, and I noticed that one of the cable sections on my step/ladder/whatever to get into the cab is starting to show some broken cable strands. Which got me thinking about replacement options.

I could probably swage in a new cable section or source a used or NOS step assembly from somewhere for stupid amounts of cash. But , I hate these things.

Anyone seen or done something better?

.
Chances are that the "cable steps" that are bent happened because the Cab Bushings deteriorated.

The cab slops forward when using the cab jack and then the step gets hung on the front tire (when lowering) if the bushings are in that condition.
The step isn't just bolted onto the truck - or at least it isn't that way on my M1089.

 

[Guruman]

.
Chances are that the "cable steps" that are bent happened because the Cab Bushings deteriorated.

The cab slops forward when using the cab jack and then the step gets hung on the front tire (when lowering) if the bushings are in that condition.
The step isn't just bolted onto the truck - or at least it isn't that way on my M1089.

I just happened to have the cab bushing on the passenger side out this week to facilitate swapping in a winch version of the cab mount. Both the upper and lower busing were in pretty good shape, at least visually.

I'll make a point to check out the drivers side when I get a chance. I do have a set coming from the group buy, whenever they get manufactured.

 

[Mullaney]

I just happened to have the cab bushing on the passenger side out this week to facilitate swapping in a winch version of the cab mount. Both the upper and lower busing were is pretty good shape, at least visually.

I'll make a point to check out the drivers side when I get a chance. I do have a set coming from the group buy, whenever they get manufactured.

.
Yessir! I did the same exercise - swapping from non-winch to the winch version cab support. My M1088 got new bushings about a year ago when I did that same swap. No bent steps on that truck because even though they were cracked, bushings on that truck were still "whole".

EDIT: My personal opinion is that the engineer who designed those cab supports should be taken out behind the barn and shot. Then shoot him or her several more times just to be sure that stupidity can't ever multiply.

 

[coachgeo]

KISS.

Short Woman Finds Solution to Tall Truck || ViralHog

Occurred on July 31, 2018 / Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA"My mother's Ford Fusion was at the dealership being worked on for a recall and all the rental com...

youtube.com

Does not show in video.... but looks like it is the folding type step stool. Put a good way to tuck it away once inside so in an accident it is not a projectile.

Folding 2-Step Stool

If you need a boost to reach the higher shelves, this Folding 2-Step Stool is the solution to your problem. Its design offers a little boost or a larger one. F

www.ltdcommodities.com

Portable Folding Step Stool with Handle – Special Fashion

www.specialfashion.store

 

[Keith Knight]

I’m only 5’5.5” tall so should I get my feelings hurt!

 

[Guruman]

KISS.

Short Woman Finds Solution to Tall Truck || ViralHog

Occurred on July 31, 2018 / Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA"My mother's Ford Fusion was at the dealership being worked on for a recall and all the rental com...

youtube.com

Does not show in video.... but looks like it is the folding type step stool. Put a good way to tuck it away once inside so in an accident it is not a projectile.

Folding 2-Step Stool

If you need a boost to reach the higher shelves, this Folding 2-Step Stool is the solution to your problem. Its design offers a little boost or a larger one. F

www.ltdcommodities.com

Portable Folding Step Stool with Handle – Special Fashion

www.specialfashion.store

While keeping it simple has definite merit, manually dragging the thing in and out each time and finding a place to store it is complicated. every.time.

I'm all for making a complicated investment so that it's simple in the longer term. But, this is basically what I'm doing now in the shop to get in an out all the time.

 

[coachgeo]

I’m only 5’5.5” tall so should I get my feelings hurt!

not much taller... but over 50yrs in Acrobatic-ish/Gymnastic-ish world..... wont need steps till Arthur comes to visit.

 

[chucky]

I've had the cab tilted up for a few days trying to figure out how to get this PTO installed for the winch setup, and I noticed that one of the cable sections on my step/ladder/whatever to get into the cab is starting to show some broken cable strands. Which got me thinking about replacement options.

I could probably swage in a new cable section or source a used or NOS step assembly from somewhere for stupid amounts of cash. But , I hate these things.

Anyone seen or done something better?

ebay.com/itm/254312505907?hash=item3b3634e233:g:lWkAAOSwySlZ-pai&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA8CMDu%2FhzqhG%2B%2Ffex8QQSGK2F4n4RWTDkCGDoKAjJlIwesmZNJO2Je0DVqRAcrfA8iED4fAgxHTY6uspWQtK3XFdpvCzTC30wVETNH%2FHDwSgHvS7oIgj0Mzjr1%2F5bnXaDxrAskYyN7rzYRm%2BC%2BagVoLBbh5RUKvtgoUWuF%2F7yvd1wgr5FRYPXC3faRuWRLq6QuFGO4n%2B5xB131GEEnKzXfXVOEjXbeT90NXTyDOMbaxYeeNxsCnrU8xtjytWnKMjItrWJd1Lo%2FyVaxorxBYgMJyBPhBsHZqUMnDD7pQyIMUUUiBXdru83zhiZ8Zl%2BmOBM7g%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBMupO0599g