DIY Mod - Adding hidden tailgate step ladder on R1T

Morgan · 2024-12-22T17:10:59+00:00

Now that I've installed the SnapPlate front license plate holder, I finally filled out the EveryAmp review. Here it is. Hope it helps others: Shipped promptly, so the license plate holder arrived well before we picked up the car. Engineered and built VERY precisely to hold the plate very close to the front bumper without scraping. Installation instructions were clear, would have benefited from one more picture showing how to find the center slots in the grille. Grille Depth Adjustment instructions were also clear; with one half-turn adjustment of three screws, the license plate holder fit PERFECTLY in place. Check the EveryAmp web site for photographs of how much their product blocks the front camera image at every setting. After reviewing the photos, I chose the center setting. I find the camera interference at that setting is trivial for me. There's a lot of competition for the front-of-R1 real estate. My understanding is that Rivian's front plate holder requires drilling a hole in a perfectly good vehicle, and can also block a small part of the camera image. Tow hook mounts take a tow hook out of commission, and can block a sensor. EveryAmp's mount is designed to protect the grille by snapping off when attacked by a car-wash brush, so you have to dismount it (relatively easy to do) and remount it before washing. I'm still happy with the EveryAmp product, which we have installed in our R1S and now R1T. Very best wishes!

Vincent

Member

Dec 12, 2024

So I decided to add a tailgate step/ladder to my R1T truck bed. I started out by taking off the panels and had only a few torx bolts to remove. The top panel snapped a bunch, gonna be cut up anyway so I’m not too concerned. I got the ladder from amazon and the tools I used are

1. Socket wrench
2. T20 Torx screwdriver
3. Phillips screwdriver
4. 3/8" Allen wrench
5. Drill
6. Drill bits
7. Measuring tape
8. Level
9. Clamps

P.S: this is the Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QF74RVQ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

I tried to keep things in line with the ribs going down the middle, that puts it about 18” wide.

The area has internal chambers around 4-5 inches deep. So I cut through two middle walls to get the full depth unlocked, looking at 17.5” deep

Space was limited and I was working with a reciprocating saw and an oscillating tool. It would be easier if I had a smaller form factor vibe saw and/or an air saw, since I didn't really have lots of space to work with.

I now have a chase that is roughly 2.5x18x17.5 to fit telescoping hardware in. I tried a transom ladder I got on amazon. Noticed I needed to add about two inches of movement to make it so the ladder can fully tuck in but also come out enough to pivot down properly.

This is standard mode height. The rungs fully extend and the bottom one has very minor play. The ladder is rated to 300lbs, may cut a rung (or two) off the bottom so it fully on the tailgate (also would help with stowed mode spacing)
Once I get this boxed in and mounted the next step will be to make the stealth cover with the trim, current idea is to make the cutout and put the "cover" on a spring hinge

Any suggestions/ ideas are welcome!

Last edited: Dec 13, 2024

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