Can tailgate step be added after purchase?

Struggling to find a truck near me that has what I want and don't want on it. Found one that's very close, but it doesn't have a tailgate step (and I'm getting old enough to think I'd use it . Can it be added, or do you have to buy a whole new tailgate?

Yes it can be added, but it's expensive and a PITA. While the tailgate step is great to have, if the truck you found has everything else you need, get it. You won't really miss the step IMO. My Gen 1 had it, but my Gen 2 does not.

Welcome to the fray.

I am going to completely disagree with the previous comment about the usefulness of the step. it’s probably the cheapest and best bang for the buck option on the Rap. Unless you’re Manute Bol sized, and can take the step into the bed like normal humans take regular steps. It makes getting cargo like your wife’s 5 bags of luggage so much easier. Think about the day you take that bed to ground jump the wrong way, or overdo it at the gym or ballroom dancing or whatever other hobbies you have.

Get the truck you want, optioned the way you want.

I love my step and would not buy a truck without it. Heck Ford should make it standard and rope it in as a Safety feature.

Agreed on not compromising on the step. It’s one of those features I was skeptical about holding out for, but am so glad that I did. I use it a lot more than I ever thought I would. Like ACC, I’ll never buy a Ford truck again without it.

That's one of the thing I should have gotten. I want the Raptor without any graphic and no tailgate applique and fully loaded and in white. So the only one truck many dealers around socal has and willing to give me a good deal doesnt have the tailgate step either.

My sis's Raptor has the step and it's really easy to go up and down

i have the step and don’t use it
i wouldn’t pay for it again
divergent opinions

Jeff Boone said:

Struggling to find a truck near me that has what I want and don't want on it. Found one that's very close, but it doesn't have a tailgate step (and I'm getting old enough to think I'd use it . Can it be added, or do you have to buy a whole new tailgate?

Click to expand...

Heck,I was in the same boat....getting older...and was a PITA loading stuff in and out even in the Tacoma 4x4 I sold to buy my Raptor...lucky for me the 1st owner put EVERYTHING on it and I LOVE the step...!! With that said,its a hard call not to buy the one your looking at just because of the step...
I also got one of those "reach-stick" with hook on end....and that saves 25% of the time even having to get in the bed for smaller stuff...push it in,pull it out....just depends on what your hauling...

Agreed the step is a great little accessory. Should be standard on all there trucks. If you think you would really like to have it, then maybe keep looking. Don’t spend this much and have regrets later.

Had it on my 2012. Purposefully did not order it on my 2014. For me, it was a lot of unnecessary weight. In fact, it's so heavy they have to add "assist" springs to lift it which just makes it that much heavier. That being said, if you want one, scan craigslist or junkyards for a tailgate with a step and put it on.