Westin Step Bars install - 2010 Explorer

[BrewCrewX]

I was looking for something to do on the X, so last week I decided to order a set of Westin E-Series polished step bar (#23-3040). Here are some beginning shots prior to getting to it:

First things first, underneath on my particular explorer is a long plastic piece that hides the frame:

At first I was just going to remove these but after seeing the frame behind it:

I decided that I wanted to try and reuse these. Unfortunately, they got in the way of the brackets, so I did this:

Getting back to the X now, there is another plastic piece that serves as the mounting for the piece I just cut up:

Those mounting screws are attached to a long piece of plastic inside the body, they are mounted with a couple of plastic tabs and once removed, leaves this: (note this is the driver's side, if you have an X without factory running boards and rear A/C, which mine was, the passenger side is MUCH more difficult as you are unable to remove this plastic piece because of the A/C lines, it took all I had to get the nuts underneath the plastic and A/C lines, I left the plastic piece in there and cut/drilled the plastic screw because the tabs holding it on are behind the A/C lines, plus it helps protect the lines from the bolt/nut.)

Now it's time to start bolting the step bars on, there are three brackets that are similar enough (front brackets have different length long back bolt) to where here is just a couple pictures of one from underneath:

And here are some pictures of the completed look:

And here's a before and after:

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Partsman109]

Those look really nice!...thanks for showing us the install. You have me thinking of some bars like that for mine.

 

[karlos2]

Although I prefer a set of black powdercoated steps, yours look good on your rig.