I finally installed the Lucky 8 side steps & rear ladder I ordered in December. I actually installed them separately a few weeks apart with the help of my son. I kept procrastinating on the ladder because I knew the rear bumper cover would be difficult to remove and it was. Getting all of the plastic push clips, cables, bolts and screws (both phillips and torx) off wasn't that difficult but required many types of ratchets and screwdrivers because of limited access without a ramp. I would estimate that it took 5 to 6 hours a piece to do both, but that split over 2 days for each as well. The toughest part of the side steps was pulling the trim pieces off and trimming the fabric liner underneath to fit the brackets. The toughest part for the ladder was accessibility to the bolts and screws (a 4 post ramp would have been ideal) and actually separating the bumper shell from the vehicle. Basically dirt gets between the bumper shell and the rest of the car and acts as a glue. I had toe eye brackets installed which made it more difficult because you could use those holes to pull. Make sure and use something like a quick detail spray on the edge ahead of time and it will make it a lot easier. Also if you want to install anything that would require removing the bumper (toe eye hooks, etc...) make sure and do that now. I promised I would never remove that bumper shell again!

As far as tools used, here is a quick list:
Makita cordless ratchet (for the easy to reach bolts and screws)
Manual ratchet and socket set (make sure have 19MM down to 8MM and socket extensions)
Dremel rotary tool or compact saw (both the side steps and ladder will require modifying the trim pieces)
19MM box wrench (for the final tightening of the top ladder bracket)
Sturdy box cutter knife (for trimming the fabric liner to install side step brackets)
Stubby screwdriver and ratchet for hard to reach screws (see picture below)
Very strong pair of hands!



Here are few result pictures. The ladder may look a bit off center but its just the angle of the picture. It lines up nicely.








There are plenty of Youtube videos showing the process of doing both. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Nice job. I really like that rear ladder... !

 

Thanks, I debated on if I should use the OEM ladder. I just think a rear ladder is more traditional, and a little more functional. I will tell you that it is as solid as a rock.

 

Good call. Functionality is the key point. (I don't care about ladder-tradition.) A ladder that won't stop laddering when you're on it is the one to get. OEM ladder doesn't meet this criteria unfortunately: junk.

 

Having had a vehicle with the rear corner mounted ladders - I'm not a fan. They are usually too close to the body/glass of the vehicle to get a good foot hold - especially if you're of the Sasquatch human genome mutation like myself. That leads to kicking the body and the glass and in one case when my boots were muddy - I lost traction while reaching for something and I literally fell - clocked my chin on the edge of the roof rack and bit my tongue resulting in quite a bit of blood and bruises - both physical and ego.

Not levelling these criticisms at the Lucky8 model specifically, I'm just speaking in generalities.

They do look cool and provide brushguard-like protection to the rear.

 

I measured all of the rungs and the bottom one is 4 inches from the body, the rest are 3.5 inches from the body as you climb. I have big feet as well (size 12 and wide). Interestingly, the second rung isn't tubular like the rest. It's flat, but still strong enough to hold my weight without flexing. I'm guessing it's flat as to not block the reverse light. Just a guess though.