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Stehlen Auto
INSTALL GUIDES

BOLT IT ON
RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

General install steps for each type of part we sell. Your product's page and the instruction sheet in the box have the specifics for your exact part — time, hardware, torque values and whether drilling is needed — so follow those where they differ. Stuck? Call install support at 951-332-7000 (Mon–Fri, 9–5 PT).

Tonneau Cover Install

EASY · ABOUT 30 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Lower the tailgate and lay the rolled cover at the bulkhead end of the bed (closest to the cab). Unroll partially to confirm orientation — Stehlen logo faces up.
  2. Loosen the side rail clamps (already attached to the cover). Slide the front clamp onto the bed rail lip behind the cab and finger-tighten so the rail is centered side-to-side.
  3. Walk to the tailgate end. Repeat for the rear clamps. Confirm the cover sits flush against the bulkhead and tailgate — adjust front-to-back position with light pressure, not the clamps.
  4. Snug all 4 clamps with the 10mm socket (or wrench) — tight enough to resist hand-shake, not so tight you crush the rail. Most Ram, F-150, Silverado, and Tundra bed rails accept Stehlen clamps without spacers.
  5. Unroll the cover to the tailgate, secure the velcro flaps along both side rails, then engage the tension straps at the rear corners. Test the roll-up + latch sequence twice before driving.

Before you start

  • If your bed has RamBox or any factory rail accessory, confirm the cover orders specifically for that variant — universal rolls won't seat over RamBox lids.
  • Don't overtighten the clamps. Stripped bed rail threads aren't warrantied.

Trailer Hitch Install

MODERATE · ABOUT 60 MIN · 2 PEOPLE

Steps

  1. Park on level ground, set parking brake, chock front wheels. Locate the 4-6 frame holes on the underside of the rear frame rails — they are usually capped with rubber plugs or covered in undercoating.
  2. Clean each hole with the wire wheel + penetrating lubricant. Skipping this step is the #1 cause of stripped bolts during install.
  3. Position the hitch under the frame with the receiver tube facing rear and the safety chain loops down. With a helper or a floor jack, raise into place so the bolt holes align.
  4. Thread all bolts by hand first. Do NOT use the ratchet until every bolt is started — cross-threading at this step is the #2 returns reason.
  5. Snug all bolts with the ratchet, then torque in a star pattern to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part. Verify torque on each bolt twice.
  6. Hook up the trailer once, drive a short loop, then re-check torque after 50 miles.

Before you start

  • Your hitch's weight-carrying and tongue-weight ratings are listed on its product page. Never exceed the lowest-rated towing component or your vehicle manufacturer's towing capacity, which is often lower than the hitch rating.
  • If a frame bolt won't start by hand after cleaning, stop — the bolt is wrong or the hole is damaged. Forcing it voids warranty.

Bull Bar / Grille Guard Install

MODERATE · ABOUT 75 MIN · 2 PEOPLE

Steps

  1. Tape the front bumper edges where the bull bar will contact — protects paint during the lift-in.
  2. Mount the supplied frame brackets to the factory tow hook holes (or designated holes per your install sheet). Snug only — final torque is after alignment.
  3. Lift the bull bar into position. Two people: one supports the bar, the other threads the bolts through the brackets.
  4. Center the bar side-to-side using the visible gap between bar and bumper as your reference. Adjust until even within 1/8".
  5. Torque the bracket-to-frame and bar-to-bracket bolts to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part. Recheck after 50 miles.
  6. If your bar includes LED light bar mounts, install the bar first, mount lights second, run the harness through the existing grommet behind the headlight (no drilling needed on Stehlen kits).

Before you start

  • Bull bars affect airflow to the radiator at sustained highway speeds in hot climates. Check coolant temp on the first long drive.
  • Many bars require sensor relocation on vehicles with front parking sensors. Confirm with your install sheet before drilling — Stehlen kits ship with sensor brackets when applicable.
  • Bull bars are not crash-tested as bumper replacements. They alter front crumple-zone behavior.

Front Grille Replacement

EASY · ABOUT 45 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Open the hood. Locate the 4-8 push-clips or 10mm bolts holding the top of the OEM grille to the radiator support.
  2. Remove the top fasteners with the 10mm socket or panel pry tool. Save the clips — most Stehlen grilles reuse OEM hardware.
  3. Tilt the top of the grille toward you and lift up to release the bottom hooks from the bumper cover. The grille comes out as a single piece on most trucks.
  4. Compare the new Stehlen grille to the OEM piece on a clean surface — confirm mounting tab orientation BEFORE lifting it to the vehicle.
  5. Insert the new grille bottom-hooks-first into the bumper cover. Tilt the top back against the radiator support, align bolt holes, reinstall the OEM fasteners.
  6. Check headlight gap evenness on both sides. Standard variance is < 1/8".

Before you start

  • Some 2015+ trucks have an active grille shutter motor behind the grille. Don't pull on the grille if it resists — locate and unplug the shutter motor harness first.
  • Black ABS grilles look 'flat' next to chrome bumpers. Plan accordingly.

LED Headlight Swap

MODERATE · ABOUT 90 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Disconnect the battery negative terminal. Wait 5 minutes for capacitors to discharge.
  2. Remove the front grille (see Grille install if needed) OR remove the upper radiator cover to access the headlight retention bolts. Most F-150, Silverado, Tundra, Ram only need the cover removed.
  3. Unbolt the 3 retention bolts per headlight (top, inner, outer). Pull the headlight assembly forward — the harness will stop you at 6-8 inches.
  4. Disconnect each connector by pressing the tab and pulling — do NOT yank by the wire.
  5. Plug the OEM connectors into the Stehlen headlight matching socket. Most Stehlen kits ship plug-and-play; some require a CAN bus decoder (included in the box).
  6. Test all functions BEFORE reinstalling: low beam, high beam, DRL, turn signal, parking. Hyper-flash means the decoder isn't fully seated.
  7. Reinstall in reverse order. Aim the beams against a garage wall at 25 ft — center of beam should be at or slightly below your stock headlight aim mark.

Before you start

  • Do NOT touch the projector lens with bare hands. Skin oil fogs the optic permanently.
  • If your truck has factory adaptive headlights (curve-tracking), confirm Stehlen kit compatibility — most LED swaps disable adaptive function.
  • Aim the beams. Misaimed LEDs blind oncoming drivers and are an automatic state inspection failure.

Bed Mat Install

VERY EASY · ABOUT 10 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Sweep the bed clean and remove any standing water. Trapped debris under the mat causes corrosion over 2-3 seasons.
  2. Unroll the Stehlen mat in the bed with the diamond-plate or pattern side UP and the manufacturer logo facing the bulkhead.
  3. Walk the mat into the corners — the rubber is heavy enough to hold its own position, but tuck the leading edge under the bulkhead lip if your bed has one.
  4. Trim around the wheel wells ONLY if your specific truck has non-standard wheel well geometry. Most Stehlen mats are pre-cut to fit OEM bed dimensions.

Before you start

  • Don't install over a bedliner that hasn't fully cured. Spray-in liner cures 7-10 days; rubber mat over uncured liner can grab and lift the liner.
  • On 2-piece beds (Ram with RamBox), use the RamBox-specific Stehlen mat — universal cuts wrong around the cargo bin access.

Running Board / Side Step Install

MODERATE · ABOUT 75 MIN · 2 PEOPLE

Steps

  1. Locate the factory rocker panel threaded holes (3-4 per side on most trucks — usually plugged with rubber or covered with body tape).
  2. Mount the supplied brackets to the rocker panel with the included bolts. Snug only — final torque comes after the boards are aligned.
  3. With a helper, hold each board against the brackets and thread the board-to-bracket bolts by hand.
  4. Step on the board firmly to seat it level. Verify the board is parallel to the rocker panel along the full length — adjust by loosening the bracket bolts, sliding to spec, then re-tightening.
  5. Torque the bracket-to-rocker and board-to-bracket bolts to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part. Recheck after 50 miles.
  6. Test step-up with full weight from front, middle, and rear positions. No flex or shift should occur.

Before you start

  • On Crew Cab and SuperCrew trucks, confirm cab-length boards — Reg Cab boards on a Crew Cab leave a tripping gap behind the rear door.
  • Do not skip the bracket-to-rocker torque check. A loose board can shift under a passenger's weight and cause a fall.

Floor Mat Install

VERY EASY · ABOUT 5 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Vacuum the OEM carpet thoroughly. Trapped grit under the mat scuffs the rubber backside and shortens mat life.
  2. Locate the factory retention posts in each footwell (most OEM mats hook to these — Stehlen mats use the same posts).
  3. Drop the new mat into position with the driver/passenger label facing up. Press the retention hole over the post until it clicks.
  4. Walk the mat into the corners with a flat hand. Verify it sits flush — no curl-up at the door sill, no bunching against the firewall.

Before you start

  • Driver-side mat MUST anchor to the OEM post. An unanchored driver mat can slide under the accelerator pedal. Some Stehlen mats include adhesive backup pads — use them on vehicles without retention posts.
  • Don't install over wet carpet. Trapped moisture rots OEM carpet within 3 months.

Roof Rack / Basket Install

MODERATE · ABOUT 60 MIN · 2 PEOPLE

Steps

  1. Wash the roof surface thoroughly. Any grit between the rack feet and the roof scratches the paint when the rack is tightened down.
  2. Identify your mounting type: bare roof (clamp-style feet), factory rails (slot mount), or fixed mount points (bolt direct). Stehlen ships each rack with the correct hardware — confirm before climbing the ladder.
  3. Tape the roof at each mounting point so you can see the position without scratching the paint during dry-fit.
  4. Set the front rack first. Center side-to-side using the windshield gasket as a reference. Snug clamps to finger-tight.
  5. Set the rear rack at the manufacturer-specified spread distance (printed on the rack — usually 24-28" for trucks, 32-36" for SUVs).
  6. Verify both racks are parallel and square. Torque the clamps to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part — don't over-tighten.

Before you start

  • Stay within the load rating for your rack. The rating while driving is lower than the rating when parked — check your product page and instruction sheet before loading.
  • Removable racks must be re-torqued every time they're reinstalled. Don't trust 'looks tight'.

Chase Rack / Sport Bar Install

MODERATE · ABOUT 90 MIN · 2 PEOPLE

Steps

  1. Park the truck on level ground. Lower the tailgate.
  2. Identify the bed rail mounting points — most chase racks clamp to the inside of the bed rail at the bulkhead end (closest to cab). Tape these areas to protect the paint.
  3. Pre-assemble the rack uprights and crossbar on the ground per the instruction sheet — do NOT try to assemble in the bed.
  4. Lift the assembled rack into the bed with two people. Position so the upright base brackets sit over the bed rail mount points.
  5. Thread all clamp bolts by hand first. Verify the rack is square in the bed by measuring corner-to-corner diagonally — both measurements should match within 1/4".
  6. Torque the clamp bolts to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part. Pull firmly on the top bar — there should be no movement. Re-check after 50 miles.

Before you start

  • Chase racks alter the vehicle's wind signature significantly. Expect 1-2 MPG drop at highway speed.
  • If mounting lights to the rack, run wiring through the supplied grommets — do not let wiring contact the bed rail where it can chafe through.

MOLLE Panel Install

EASY · ABOUT 20 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Confirm the panel is sized for your mounting location: chase rack, bed rail, or roof rack. MOLLE panels are not interchangeable across mount types.
  2. Align the panel mounting holes with the bracket or rack rail.
  3. Thread the supplied bolts through the panel into the mount, finger-tight first.
  4. Verify the panel sits flush — no twist, no warp. Torque the bolts to the values on the instruction sheet included with your part.
  5. Attach MOLLE accessories (pouches, recovery boards, axe mounts, etc.) per their individual instructions.

Before you start

  • Don't overload a single panel section. Distribute weight across the full MOLLE grid to avoid bracket fatigue.
  • MOLLE grid spacing follows the MIL-STD 1" pattern — confirm any third-party accessory matches.

Under-Seat Storage Install

VERY EASY · ABOUT 5 MIN · SOLO INSTALL

Steps

  1. Push the rear seat bottom up against the seat back to create floor clearance under the seat (Crew Cab / SuperCrew).
  2. Slide the storage organizer into position with the lid facing the rear of the cab (toward you when the rear door is open).
  3. Adjust front-to-back position so the organizer doesn't contact the driver/passenger seat tracks when the rear seat folds back down.
  4. Lower the rear seat. Verify it seats fully — the seat back should latch and the seat bottom should rest naturally.

Before you start

  • Not all 2021+ F-150 SuperCrew floors accept gen-1 organizers. Verify the SKU year range against your truck's build year (the BUILD year on the door jamb, not model year).
  • Don't store ammunition, propane, or flammables in under-seat organizers. The cab heats above 140°F in summer.