The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I am interested in adding a step and handle to my 170B. It is the setup from a C172 that you use to get above the wing to fuel the acft. Is it an authorized/approved modification, since it is a Cessna part, or does it need a 337 or STC?

Are you referring to the step that is attached at the bottom of the boot cowl or the one iastalled on the wing strut?

I installed mine under a minor modification, and there Cessna parts so its fine. Also I added an extra stringer, and a doubler to beef it up. They are necessary for the boot step! also I added a doubler for the handle.

I am adding the step by the strut root, and the handle above it.

I have found the best top cowl, stainless steel, hand holds are sold by the world famous IKEA airplane parts department in the IKEA furnature store. They're so good that many people even use them as drawer pulls in their kitchens.

blueldr wrote:I have found the best top cowl, stainless steel, hand holds are sold by the world famous IKEA airplane parts department in the IKEA furnature store. They're so good that many people even use them as drawer pulls in their kitchens.

Yep!

so how did you bolt the step to the side of the fuselage by the strut root?

delete

is there a step for the top of the gear to use for fueling? i have 180 gear.

3454terryg wrote:is there a step for the top of the gear to use for fueling? i have 180 gear.

i mean near the top of the gear legs

The "boot cowl" step rivetted onto that area in later 100 series Cessnas would likely be the best solution for this problem with 180 gearlegs.
Keep in mind a major concern with spring-gear legs is: stress-markings which clamps, tools, brackets, etc. make upon the spring gear which leads/contributes to failures, ....and also beware that anything permanently attached can lead to rust/corrosion and subsequent failure. Epoxy hides cracks.
IN short..this is not something you want to undertake without due caution.
I carry a collapsible/flat step-stools I bought at Pep Boys (in honor of bluElder) which weighs about a pound, lets me step up to check fuel caps, allows elderly/infirm folks a short step-up to the cabin, and also makes a great "seat" at fly-in-gatherings. They are 12" and 18" tall, collapse completely flat and take up virtually no baggage space.

A pair of them were $10 on-sale,regularly less then $15.

I'll try to find a pic to post.

A boot cowl step is best given a generous (read maximum) sized, good husky, doubler on the inside of the cowl. Ditto the hand hold. (The C-170 skin just aint beefey enough all alone.)

All parts sources notwithstanding, would anyone happen to have a copy of the instructions for Cessna kit AK172-168h ? This is/was the kit that allowed early model 172 owners to retrofit their airplanes with Cessna parts back when they didn't cost a fortune.

I have Cessna parts; I'd just like some drawings and specifications for the doublers so we can make a nice and tidy 337.

This is a very popular mod here in Alaska; its not very "original" looking but it sure is handy. And many Cessna nosedragger pilots expect them since they're standard equipment beginning in the mid-60s models of Cessnas. (My apologies to 180 and 185 drivers, yes, you too have them installed).

If no one has a copy of the instructions, where is a good source? Thanks always.
-Scott

Scott,
I've entered AK172-168J in the Mx Library. Hope that helps.

Thank you VERY much, Gary. I'll post updates.
-Scott