Mazda BT-50: Side Steps – Essential Protective Upgrades for Your Ute
If you want sleek car-like looks combined with hardcore off-roading and hauling ability, then the Mazda BT-50 should be topping your buying list. The ute is based on the solid underpinnings of its Isuzu D-Max sibling but with styling stripped straight from Mazda’s ever-popular CX-5. It’s rugged, reliable and ready for anything thrown at it. All trims come with heaps of standard gear, but for basic protection, skip dealerships and go with solid aftermarket deals when looking for bull and brush bars. These do a great job at protecting the ute in all driving conditions, and combined with a decent pair of side steps left and right, up functionality too.
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Side Steps Basics
Platforms that go between the wheel arches in vehicles with more ground clearance go by different names. Aussies know them as side steps, but slightly different designs lead to nerf bars, or running boards. Differences are slight, but still there. Side steps have different purposes and allow for safer entry and exit into your BT-50, They also complement full-on bull bars with attached side brush bars to protect the vehicle from all sides. Most are made of thicker high-grade steel piping, securely attached to the chassis rails via bolts, and include safety provisions in terms of airbag activation in the event of collisions. Surfaces are textured, either integrated into the metal itself or include added non-slip rubber or plastic to grip shoes. What’s also important is that they don’t protrude too far out, so as to spoil the ute’s unique looks, but still have enough realty space for bigger and smaller feet.
Why Have Them on Your BT-50?
Added Protection
If you’re looking for enhanced side protection, say on the construction site or weekend trips to the bush, durable BT50 side steps protect panels, tyres and doors from larger obstacles like rocks, tree stumps, road and gravel spray, and any debris the ute comes by. The metal prevents likely damage to the paintwork and possible dents to the panels, or punctures to tyres. Provisions for brush bars at the front also mean these are simple to bolt on and improve side protection that much more. The same combo earns its stripes in urban and everyday driving conditions, such as keeping doors and the underbody intact in parking lots or when edging too close to kerbs.
Simple and Secure Entry and Exit
With more than 200mm of ground clearance, the BT-50 can be a chore to get in and out of, especially for younger kids or the elderly. Side steps ease entry and exit, as they’re placed lower down, and the textured surface adds confidence and rules out unwanted injuries. Having something to place feet also helps when getting out of the ute, particularly if you’re of shorter stature. You’ll also be doing the seats a favour, and avoid sliding or gripping the side bolstering for more secure footing. And if you’re using your BT-50 for work, side steps help when loading and unloading anything from the tub.
Keep Your Ute Clean
Lastly, an overlooked use of side steps is that they keep your BT-50 clean. Perforated metal BT50 side steps are ideal for removing dirt and mud from shoes before getting in. As a bonus, passengers and drivers won’t be wiping any stuck dirt or grime off the ute when getting out either.
Choosing the Right Side Steps
If you’re looking at Mazda BT 50 side steps for sale, there are a few things to consider. These body additions come in varying designs that give off different looks. There are those that taper toward the end, for a more streamlined appearance, and also work well with wider wheel flares. Consider these for off-road use and any upgrades to the wheel arches. For street use, better are square-edge designs as they have a bit more space, and shield more of the car.
In terms of surfaces, some varieties have single-piece perforated metal from edge to edge, or grippy metal inserts, usually in a checker plate design. Less costly variants often swap this out with ABS plastic, again along the whole length, or with rubber inserts in defined areas under the doors.
The majority of types are fixed, but if you spend a little more, there are also electric side steps, that automatically lower and raise when doors unlock and lock. They include small motors fed power from the car battery, and benefit in that they don’t eat into the ground clearance for serious off-roading duties.
Lastly, consider materials and build. Steel piping in decent thickness (2.5mm or more) is the starting point when looking for something more durable. Most have enamel coatings to prevent rust and can be painted to suit the ute’s colour scheme. Aluminium side steps tend to cost slightly less, but aren’t as robust, giving off a polished look that won’t rust in any scenario.
When considering safety, each side step must have a rated minimum carry loading, often 150 kilos or more. To pass ADR requirements, they must also work with sensors that activate airbags during accidents.
Final Considerations
Side steps are an overlooked, but must-have ute accessory. They’re often sold as a combo with brush bars in the same materials and thickness. Of course, you’ll need a working bull bar installed to have this to work and look the part. On their own though, side steps work well both on and off-road, make getting in and out of the ute easier and provide more muscle for a brawnier look to your BT_50.
