Slider issue - double cab frame change at some point?

I recently purchased a set of slider steps for my 2018 double cab from a reputable company that are sold for 07-21 Tundra double cabs. I mounted them over the weekend and the mounting plates needed to be cut in multiple areas because it seems they were designed based on an earlier year of the 2nd gen Tundra and the frame was revised at some point.

I am giving the company feedback on this issue in an effort that they hopefully correct it for future buyers...

Can you help me out by taking a picture of the underside of your frame immediately behind the transmission cross member along with posting up the year of your truck as well. Double cab only please because that is all that is applicable.

Here is my 2018 after I cut the mounting plate to fit over the frame overlap.

And here is a picture of the mounting plate before I cut it to fit on my frame. Earlier tundras must have had less frame overlap here. It would be great to figure out when this change occurred.

 

And I will put my full story here so I can update later...

I started with mounting the passenger side step and immediately noticed that the front of the slider mounting plate was not cut in the front to match the frame of my truck. I checked the drivers side and it was the same. Since I had a shop space and time to mount them, I decided to proceed with cutting them to fit. Here is a picture showing how I had to cut the mounting plate to get it to fit the frame. This was disappointing because now I have to paint the areas that I cut. After trimming the passenger side, I got everything bolted up (after drilling holes in the frame).

On the drivers side, I made the same front cut to clear the frame contour and set the slider in position. I quickly realized the back frame plate on the slider also needed to be trimmed to clear a bracket on my frame. I was realizing the sliders are far from “bolt-on” for my year Tundra and again decided to trim it to fit.

After it was trimmed I got the top bolts in the slider, but the bottom was not pulling flush like it passenger side. After messing around with clamping to try to get it tight prior to drilling the frame, I realized there were two frame rivets behind the mounting plate that were not accommodated for with cutouts.

At this point, I ran out of time for the day and decided I had enough cutting to fit on these steps for now. I contacted the company with these pictures and all because they should not be selling these for my year Tundra... we will see if they do anything.

 

I don't have a double cab, but have you had the truck since new or did you buy it used?

 

So you cut the steps to fit and NOW want manufacturer to do what? Replace the steps You cut?

 

Why are you cutting them at all before hearing back from the company who made them?

There may have been a mixup in what you were sent. If that's the case, it seems like you kinda screwed yourself on an exchange. Exchanging sliders is sure to be a giant PITA, but what are you expecting them to do now that you've cut these up?

I agree that if those are supposed to fit your truck, that's terrible, and please tell us who made them so we know who to avoid. Seems like you were maybe sent the wrong set or something tho

 

I am not asking for the company to replace the steps. I ordered and received them around Black Friday and finally had time/shop space to install them this past weekend so I went for it. I cut them knowing that I would need to paint over the areas that cut, but I thought it was only the front of the sliders. After that I was to the point of no return...

This is a large company and I have an initial response from them. They only make one version of these double cab sliders (07-21) and that is what I received.

 

As a business owner, once you cut them, I'm out.

As a buyer I'd have returned them.

 

Well then I'd cut or use hole saw bit to clear the rivets that need clearing then paint.

 

Are these from Ironman? There was a similar post about their sliders a while back.

 

These are Ironman sliders and with some searching I found a similar post from a couple years ago. It seems Ironman doesn't care and is NOT owning up to the fitment issue. They are saying I took "the extra effort to perfect the installation of the side steps".

I ended up drilling out for the frame rivets. After all that cutting of the frame plates they fit the truck.

The function and form factor of these is nice on the truck, but they are certainly not worth the trouble.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Cool on you to cut these and not ask anything back from the manufacturer. Plus providing feedback to them on what you found. I think you made life way easier for both of you.

Even though the 2007-2018 Tundra is the "Same" You never know what small things you are going to find that may be slightly different.

 

Nice job on the cutout! Looks great!