2003 OEM Step bars on a 2006 mounting holes?
 

I have an '06 SR5 2wd that I removed the factory running boards from and purchased these OEM step bars off of an '03. They mount directly to the frame, and I got the bolts with nuts and washers (I believe M12), but when I go to mount them I cannot for the life of me find which holes they go to...I don't see any threaded holes on the frame at all, nor do they seem to line up with any of the holes that I do see. Anybody got any suggestions at all? Thanks in advance, and yes I did search Google, this forum and this board to figure this out but to no avail LOL.

I have a 2006 and mine mount under the side. The bracket U’s back up. Did your stock ones do that too?

Yes the stock running boards do mount under the body, but these are frame mounted bars from an '03 which I am told mount right up with no mods, but I am just not seeing where on the frame they do so.

Bump

I still haven't figured this out, or had much time to mess with it, but if anybody knows anything on where to mount these at on the frame, it would be greatly appreciated!!

ALL OEM steps bolt to body. They do not bolt to the frame. There Is a lip near the rocker panel that runs the length of the truck, there should be tapped holes along the lip, the brackets should line up with the holes

For the OEM minivan looking things (OEM 2006) that I removed you are correct, however there is NOTHING that these other ones (OEM 2003) mount to other than the frame. There are just no holes that align with them on the frame, so I am wondering if this was just one of those weird small changes between model years.

the only two types of OEM steps I am aware of for 03-09 4runners are the sport edition steps which are tubes, and the flat running boards. They both bolt to the body. I am not aware of, nor have I ever seen anything on the forum pertaining to an OEM step bolting to the frame. Are you sure they were stock steps? Not something that was purchased aftermarket and later sold? Not trying to be condescending, just seems odd is all. If you got these with nuts and bolts, I feel like you were told a story. If there were factory provisions for this, I would assume there would be holes on the frame already tapped, no need for nuts. Much in the same way all frames are tapped for xreas, even though they all don't have it

I hear you, and appreciate it. I've searched on all the forums and places online I can think of also and can't find anything either. I was at the dealer last week and the parts guy was able to find the steps on one software program he had, but no related part number or full diagram...the pic he had on screen was exactly what I have though. He said they may have been an option on 03-04, or ones that only came with a specific configuration i.e. V8, 4wd Limited only or something like that. The fact that are a gray color leads me to believe that they would have come on an early 4th gen model that had the gray colored cladding.

I noticed in digging around on the parts.toyota.com site that there is a different part number for the frame sub-assembly from V6 and V8, and I know there were other slight revisions from 04 to 05 model years, so I am assuming this is what I am running into.

Well, given that, I'd say you could probably line them up and drill some holes to mount them, or flip them for something more user friendly.

Exactly what I'm thinking at this point too, especially since I don't do anything that requires sliders or frame mounted or welded anything. I hate having to learn all the little differences in new to me vehicle platforms from scratch again...if you or anyone you know has any questions about 90's Hondas and Acuras, let me know, I got you LOL!

I'd suggest grabbing some sport steps off the classified section. They pop up all the time, they look great, and they'll bolt in to the same locations the grocery grabber boards mounted to.