Hey everybody. Has anyone here put the Atlee Dodge side step and cowl handles on? I’m contemplating doing it and am curious about the install process. Is it as straight forward as drilling and riveting or is it more involved?

Thanks,
Cory

That’s all there is to it. You don’t need the strut steps just install some grip tape and your good to go.


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Good to hear. And good idea. Thanks!


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Let us know how it goes, it's a project high upon my list.

I can't speak to the installation as my mechanic did it but I have them on my 170 and they are one of the best mods I have. I can hop up to check fuel quickly and easily without a ladder. I also have one of those steps that slips over the landing gear leg but it doesn't get me high enough. The steps on the side of the fuselage are great.

Thanks kg. We had them on the club’s planes I used to be in. That’s the big issue is my step ladder is always buried when I want it need it. I was hoping that the install was straight forward enough that my mechanic would let me do it and just sign it off.


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If you look at the old service kit, Cessna added a doubler behind the cowl handle to keep things from cracking. The forward end of hte handle also goes thru the firewall attach angle for added strength.
Here's a shot of them on my 170, you can see the rivet line of the doubler going up to the windscreen.

Rolled on her side to replace a belly skin.

Installation is very straightforward, and I consider these to be a must have on Cessnas.

MTV

How are instructions that come with them? Clear and well written?


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http://www.fadodge.com/boot-cowl-step/
http://www.fadodge.com/boot-cowl-handle/

I bought a set of steps & handles from Dodge ($85 each) about 2 years ago & installed with my mechanic's help.
The website makes it look like they come with doublers, they don't.
Those are extra, p/n 3354-D @ $40 each
I bought 4, turns out I only needed two for the handles.
On the C180, the steps bolt through the floor flange where it rivets to the boot cowl skin,
so no doubler needed at that location.
The mechanic's help came in where we were drilling out those rivets & cleco'ing things together.
The diagonal row of bolts in the step photo show that floorboard rivet line.
I'd suggest looking at and measuring the step / handle location on several other airplanes before decided on where to mount yours.
I decided to do without the strut steps (also priced at $85 each),
& just used a 6 or 8" length of peel-and-stick non-skid from the hardware store. Works great.

That’s really good to know. Thanks! Looks really good!


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Hi Cory,

Does your bird have the 30 or 40 gallon/side tanks? I've got the long range ones, and wished I had the steps but figured the outboard fuel fillers would be too far out to reach from the cowl/strut combo. (I admit never even taking a tape measure to the situation).

My first had long range tanks and you’re right, you wouldn’t be able to teach them I think. My current one has standard tanks and should be fine. Of course I’m going to double check.


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Live2aviate wrote:Hi Cory,

Does your bird have the 30 or 40 gallon/side tanks? I've got the long range ones, and wished I had the steps but figured the outboard fuel fillers would be too far out to reach from the cowl/strut combo. (I admit never even taking a tape measure to the situation).

Very good point. Thankfully my 180 had all 4 caps, so I could do the inboards for most of my flights. My 206 only has the outboards on the LR tanks, so the steps won't help. Not looking forward to having to carry a ladder around with me...

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Actually you can reach the Longe Range fillers from the steps for both filling and dipping. Not the easiest but doable. We did so for 30 odd years (never carried a ladder) until on rebuild we added the inboard fillers as well. We loose 34 Litres (9 us gal) between in board fill and out board fill.

FBOs don't always have a 12' ladder available to reach the wing when on amphibs, so several times I've climbed to the top of the wing, sat on the spar, and hopped my butt over to the outboard filler. I have inboard fillers also, so I fill them as much as possible, then climb up and fill the outboards. Buy the steps. You'll be glad. Also good for checking for wing contamination (frost) in winter.

Yeah they are definitely worth it. I think that will be my next project.


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Grassstrippilot wrote:Yeah they are definitely worth it. I think that will be my project...

I'll race you!

I have yet to touch mine, but per the pre-buy and annual I've replaced a bunch of Nic-nacs.
First addition was a fuel totalizer, sounds like second is the cowl steps-combo.
Third might be 430+G5 combo.

When installing side steps, are they leveled in flight or leveled on the ground (tailwheel)
I cant tell from photos and can see arguments for both ways.

They’re level in flight. Basically parallel with the cabin floor.