So, I just picked up a set of these from my local 4WeelParts store. I got home and started installing them. The passenger side went in perfect, took me 5 minutes by myself. The drivers side was another matter, the front holes did not match up. I did a search here and found a few people had to modify the holes to make them fit, What tool do you use to do that?

I called Smittybilt and they told me to take them back to 4WheelParts to have them replaced. I called the store and they will replace them but the replacements will take a week to get here. My other question is what is the likelihood that the replacements will have the same problem? Anyone have experience getting these replaced and the replacement ones working right?

 

From what I hear you have about a 50/50 shot that they will fit perfect or not at all... Just widen the hole with an angle grinder... Hope this helps

 

Dremel, front driver side hole. Put the nuts loosely on the rear and get it into the hole on the front. Put the nuts on the front and tighten front n rear a little at a time.
Passenger side took me 2 minutes. The drivers side took me 45 minutes

 

Thank you both for your suggestions. I used a Dremmel and after 2 stone wheel things and a crowbar I was able to install the driver side. I like the way they look and for the wheeling I intend to do i think they will work out great.

I am disappointed at the workmanship of the Smittybilt product. From reading this forum, I see that this has been a problem with these steps for a few years now and it continues to be a problem, no wonder they are giving them away with the purchase of front and rear bumpers. I was also disappointed that the steps that I saw on a catalog showed 3 mounting locations to the frame, but the product only comes with two mounting locations, I called Smittybilt and the guy told me that was a photo of an old prototype.

This is my first experience with Smittybilt products, and unfortunately it was not a good experience overall. I really hope that the company pays more attention to quality control for their other products and fix whatever manufacturing issue these steps have had for years.

 

After install of body lift mine won't clear the center bolt so i guess i loosen then get it around it then tighten back down then install the bolts back on the side of the center bolt??

 

Nice jeep, except the sticker on the steps i pulled mine first thing!!