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Anyone else DIY install N-FAB Predator Pro steps?

drBassman

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Has anyone else installed their N-FAB Predator Pro nerf bars themself?

I attempted to install mine today. The outside of the box clearly says they are for 2020 Jeep Gladiator:

20191109_091324.jpg


However, the hardware kit & installation instructions say I've received the kit for 09-15.5 Ram trucks:

20191109_091331.jpg


Furthermore, the steps look exactly like the ones on the install guide
20191109_091354.jpg
20191109_091346.jpg

The instructions said to drill holes for the top bold on each bracket. I though others on the forum have said these install on the JT with no drilling.

I've contacted the vendor who sold them to me, runningboardwarehouse.com...They're going to send me new ones & a shipping label to return these...

Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else???
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Mkcagle

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Self installed, no drilling required

AFFEAC40-B75A-4E56-9C9E-095DA663F981.jpeg
 
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drBassman

drBassman

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Mkcagle

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Did yours look like my picture?
Yep, just like yours. I thank they have done some upgrading of the mounting. The instructions that came with mine showed the mounts to be separate and needing to be screwed on to the rail.
 

Mkcagle

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One thing, the end to the front is the longer distance before the step. Yours looks laid down backwards. Hope this makes sense.
 

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salsadoc

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self installed no drilling looks like they packaged the wrong steps.
purchased from amazon w prime shipping
2B48C494-9AAA-44F4-A5C9-7E5559FC1CC2.jpeg
 

Buck1ze

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No problem installing mine except for the horrible cage nut design that they use to secure at the pinch weld.
 
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drBassman

drBassman

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self installed no drilling looks like they packaged the wrong steps.
purchased from amazon w prime shipping
2B48C494-9AAA-44F4-A5C9-7E5559FC1CC2.jpeg
Yes, that confirms it. I'm an eye doctor, so I was hoping my DIY skills weren't the issue... Thank you for posting...

Purchased at runningboardwarehouse.com...They said they were going to ship me the correct ones, and a freight ticket to return the wrong ones. I'm dreading trying to put them back in the box for shipment--definitely won't be as pretty, anyway...
 
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drBassman

drBassman

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Update: runningboardwarehouse.com (aka Real Truck) has done an outstanding job of fixing this issue. I re-boxed the incorrect ones as best as I could. Fed Ex showed up yesterday (11/13) to get the wrong ones, and the *CORRECT* steps arrived today.

Steps bolted on, no problem!

Looks like they updated the hardware -- the instructions said to put the clip nuts on the rails before installing on vehicle -- hardware included were normal nuts (that were kind of a PITA to get started given the space between the step & truck)...

20191114_111144.jpg

20191114_111210.jpg

20191114_111155.jpg

20191114_111202.jpg
 

MirMir

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Update: runningboardwarehouse.com (aka Real Truck) has done an outstanding job of fixing this issue. I re-boxed the incorrect ones as best as I could. Fed Ex showed up yesterday (11/13) to get the wrong ones, and the *CORRECT* steps arrived today.

Steps bolted on, no problem!

Looks like they updated the hardware -- the instructions said to put the clip nuts on the rails before installing on vehicle -- hardware included were normal nuts (that were kind of a PITA to get started given the space between the step & truck)...

20191114_111144.jpg

20191114_111210.jpg

20191114_111155.jpg

20191114_111202.jpg
can you take a close up of the clip nuts?
 

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drBassman

drBassman

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can you take a close up of the clip nuts?
They are just nuts -- no clips. As I said before, it was a pain getting them started since there isn't much space down in there to hold the nut & turn it, etc...

Here's the rear:
20191227_211848.jpg


Here's the front:
20191227_211933.jpg


Not sure if I assembled it correctly -- not enough space to put the bolts/nuts the other way. Assembly instructions still showed the clip on nuts.
 

MirMir

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They are just nuts -- no clips. As I said before, it was a pain getting them started since there isn't much space down in there to hold the nut & turn it, etc...

Here's the rear:
20191227_211848.jpg


Here's the front:
20191227_211933.jpg


Not sure if I assembled it correctly -- not enough space to put the bolts/nuts the other way. Assembly instructions still showed the clip on nuts.
Thank You. Mine were different than yours and did not have nuts that’s why I wanted to see how you put them on since mine would fasten the way they said to use them. I had to reverse them.
 

ShadowsPapa

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I'm not suggesting those are wrong - so please don't take it that way....... it's just that I am so OCD about such things - I'd lay the "steps" down, position the bolts through the slots, use blue or yellow tape to hold them in place, then hold the whole thing up and work the bolts through the rocker panel pinch weld area or whatever they go through and then put the nuts on the back side.
Or, since the brackets are slotted, you could start half of them through the pinch weld holes, start the nuts on, slide the step assy in place then only have to deal with the other half of the bolts, getting them worked in.
You wouldn't believe the jigs and tools I've made over the years for one-time projects like that because it drives me nuts personally if bolts can be seen.
 
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drBassman

drBassman

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I'm not suggesting those are wrong - so please don't take it that way....... it's just that I am so OCD about such things - I'd lay the "steps" down, position the bolts through the slots, use blue or yellow tape to hold them in place, then hold the whole thing up and work the bolts through the rocker panel pinch weld area or whatever they go through and then put the nuts on the back side.
Or, since the brackets are slotted, you could start half of them through the pinch weld holes, start the nuts on, slide the step assy in place then only have to deal with the other half of the bolts, getting them worked in.
You wouldn't believe the jigs and tools I've made over the years for one-time projects like that because it drives me nuts personally if bolts can be seen.
You're going to have to work a LOT harder than that to offend me! As I said, I'm an optometrist, and NOT a mechanic, and am capable of receiving constructive criticism.

There are bolts that go in from the underside, upward toward the roof that are the main support -- I put those bolts on first, and did NOT have much room to get these bolts/nuts started. Had I installed the bolts in the reverse order, I may have had more space to work with. That being said the instructions showed the cage / clip nuts being on this side, so that is why I didn't try "very hard" to put them in the other direction. The thought definitely occurred to me -- it was cold, and I had to get back to the office, etc...
 

ShadowsPapa

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You're going to have to work a LOT harder than that to offend me! As I said, I'm an optometrist, and NOT a mechanic, and am capable of receiving constructive criticism.

There are bolts that go in from the underside, upward toward the roof that are the main support -- I put those bolts on first, and did NOT have much room to get these bolts/nuts started. Had I installed the bolts in the reverse order, I may have had more space to work with. That being said the instructions showed the cage / clip nuts being on this side, so that is why I didn't try "very hard" to put them in the other direction. The thought definitely occurred to me -- it was cold, and I had to get back to the office, etc...
Not easy when in a hurry, or it's cold, or the instructions are less than a perfect match for what you have........... but YOU did it, it worked, it's there.

If I were an optometrist there'd be a lot more people with vision problems.
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