How to Install Dodge Ram 1500 Ambush Side Steps
By Body Armor 4x4 | Published: 2026-10-26
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to installing Ambush side steps on your Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab, covering tools, positioning, and common pitfalls.
Quick Answer
Installing Ambush side steps on your Dodge Ram 1500 Crew Cab is a straightforward bolt-on job that takes about an hour with basic hand tools. The key is proper positioning and tightening sequence to avoid misalignment.
Why the Ambush Side Step Design Matters for Installation
The Ambush side step uses a sleek main bar that sits high and tight against the body, with a 2-inch ergonomic drop step placed at the door opening. This design gives you a clean look but means you need to pay extra attention to the bracket orientation—the drop step must align exactly with the front or rear door gap, depending on your cab configuration.
Because the steps are cab-length for the Crew Cab, you'll have four mounting brackets to install. The steel construction is heavy, so having a second person to hold the step in place while you start the bolts will save you frustration.
Tools You'll Need
You'll need a 13mm socket, 15mm socket, ratchet, torque wrench (optional but recommended), and a marker or tape for positioning. A floor jack or jack stand can help support the step during installation.
Installation Steps
- Position the Brackets: Slide the four mounting brackets onto the rocker panel pinch weld. Do not tighten them yet—leave them loose so you can adjust alignment. Common mistake: tightening brackets too early, which prevents the step from sitting flush. Leave all bolts finger-tight until the step is fully positioned.
- Lift the Step into Place: With a helper, lift the Ambush side step and align it with the brackets. The drop step should face outward and sit near the door opening. Insert the supplied bolts and washers through the brackets into the step's mounting tabs. Start all bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading. Use a floor jack under the step to hold its weight if you're working alone.
- Tighten in Sequence: Tighten the bracket-to-pinch-weld bolts first, then the step-to-bracket bolts. Work from the front bracket to the rear, torquing to 15-20 ft-lbs. Common mistake: tightening one bracket fully before the others, which can twist the step out of alignment. A crisscross tightening pattern helps keep the step straight.
- Check Clearance and Test: Open both doors fully to confirm the step doesn't interfere with door swing. Close the doors and check that the drop step is centered in the door opening. If it's off, loosen the bracket bolts, adjust, and retighten. If the step rubs the rocker panel, you may need to add a thin washer as a spacer between the bracket and the step.
Product Details
- 2009-2018 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB/2018-2024 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB (CLASSIC BODY STYLE) 2010-2026 RAM 2500/3500/4500/5500 CREW CAB AMBUSH SIDE STEPS: Steel construction with a durable 2-stage light textured black powder coat finish and a 3-year finish / limited lifetime warranty. The powder coat resists chipping and corrosion, but you should still avoid over-tightening the bolts, which can crack the finish around the mounting holes.
2009-2018 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB/2018-2024 DODGE RAM 1500 CREW CAB (CLASSIC BODY STYLE) 2010-2026 RAM 2500/3500/4500/5500 CREW CAB AMBUSH SIDE STEPS
