Okay, so I’ve been messing with my truck lately, specifically the tailgate. I got this old pickup, and let me tell you, getting stuff in and out of the bed was a real pain. My back isn’t getting any younger, you know? So, I started looking into ways to make it easier, and that’s when I stumbled upon this tailgate step thing.
First, I searched around to see what my options were. Turns out, some of the newer trucks, especially those fancy Ford F-150s, come with these steps built right in. But mine’s an older model, so no luck there. I did see that the high-end models, like the Limited, have a power tailgate with a step and work surface, which sounds pretty sweet, but that’s way out of my budget.
I realized I needed to get a separate step and install it myself. The tailgate, if you don’t know, is basically the back part of the truck bed that you lower down to get access to it. It’s got hinges at the bottom and opens downwards. Simple enough, but still a hassle to climb up every time.
After looking at a few options, I found one that seemed pretty straightforward to install. It came with a bunch of parts and some self-tapping screws, which was good because I’m not exactly a handyman. I read through the instructions, which mentioned pre-drilled holes, and I thought, “Okay, I can handle this.”
- First, I laid out all the parts and made sure I had everything.
- Then, I positioned the step mechanism on the inside of the tailgate where it seemed to fit best.
- I marked the spots where the holes needed to be, using the pre-drilled holes in the step as a guide. This part was a bit tricky, but I managed.
- Next, I used my drill to make the holes. I started slow, making sure not to mess up the tailgate.
- Once the holes were ready, I lined up the step again and started screwing it in. Those self-tapping screws were a lifesaver, let me tell you.
- After tightening everything up, I tested it out a few times. It felt solid, which was a relief.
Now, whenever I need to get something out of the truck bed, I just lower the tailgate, pull out the step, and climb up. It’s so much easier on my back, and I don’t have to worry about slipping or straining myself. It’s not as fancy as those built-in steps on the new Fords, but it does the job perfectly for my old truck.
I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. It’s one of those little things that makes a big difference in my daily life. If you’ve got an older truck and you’re tired of struggling with the tailgate, I definitely recommend looking into getting one of these steps. It’s a simple upgrade, but it’s totally worth it.
