The International Cessna^® 170 Association

This topic has been split. Discussions may continue in THIS thread regarding "strut steps" generally ...but actual purchase transaction discussion should look at the new thread. Please do not use the TradeMart thread for generalized discussion, as that is what THIS thread is for. Thank you.


The sales-portion of the topic has been relocated to the TradeMart at: http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... f=7&t=8304

Can anyone tell me if the strut step (either Doug's type or others) that is used on C-170 will work on the early straight tail C-172s? I have a 1959 C-172 that has no steps, either cowl or strut. For refueling on trips I carry a folding step stool that I purchased from Aircraft Spruce. It would be nice to fit my plane with these if possible.

P.S. To clarify - I would consider either a permanently mounted strut step or a the removeable type like Dougs. I probably prefer the gear leg type with rubber coating as my gear legs have been repainted and are not chipped up.

P.P.S. I am a nitwit. Obviously, the gear leg step will not work on a C-172 with it's legs behind/under the wing. I am interested if anyone knows where I could get a strut step. Presently, my little stool gets me up and I put a towel over the strut and stand there while refueling if no ladder is available. I would like a step to stand on the strut.

PT, have you seen one of these? In Cessna history there has been a number of problems with Wing Strut damage and inflight failures because people stepped on the wing strut. It is highly discouraged. That was why I offered the strut step. You can convert your 172 to a conventional gear. Doug

Stepping on the strut immediately ADJACENT to the fuselage is not harmful (except to paint.) The strut in
that area is pretty beefy, and has the extrusion inside, held by the rivets/hi-loks.
Do NOT put any weight outboard where the streamline-tubing is hollow.

Dawson has one for sale.

http://www.aircraftpartsandsalvage.com/ ... 17586.html

That picture of a lift strut step from dawson is ridiculous at $50. They can be made all day long for less than $5.00 in materials and about 30 minutes labor.

blueldr wrote:That picture of a lift strut step from dawson is ridiculous at $50. They can be made all day long for less than $5.00 in materials and about 30 minutes labor.

Go ahead and make up a couple for me, bluEldr...I"ll pay you DOUBLE your ordinary price.... TEN dollars each! (I'll even pay shipping.)

(They'd better not be green, tho'.)