What do you guys recommend for step bars for these trucks? I've had a set of Westin oval bars on the truck since I've owned it, but they've gotten to the point where they are so rusted out I need to replace them. I initially was planning on going with a set of N-Fab steps as I like the look, but after seeing how they mount I'm really shying away from them. I'm not keen on mounting them straight to the rockers and I've read numerous reports about them being wobbly while mounted to the thin metal. I'd much prefer to get a step that bolts to the body mounts like my current Westins do. Any recommendations for N-Fab style steps that do that? Or am I best off just getting Westin's again? I don't mind this style at all, so I'm okay going back with them. Which line do you all recommend?

 

I'm running a pair of used Westin oval bars and have been very happy with them. Study and no issues.

 

I too have Westins since 2009 and they are starting to rust through. One of these days I'm stepping on it and WHAM!

 

I think my step bars are actually aluminum..... Don't know who made 'em though.

 

REVIVAL

I installed some N-Fabs on a '98 2500 V10 today for a client. I had previously corrected some Iron Cross steps for him on his '07.5 CTD after the local Ford dealership drilled into his rockers in that case... problem was they drilled kinda-sorta half of a hole into his pinch weld and the bottom half of the hole was, well.....air. GEE, WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT???

Anyway I actually tried to convince him the prescribed N-Fab method was probably ok if done properly, but he insisted I do the same as I had on his '07.5. Ok, it's not my money

Anyway, here's some general shots. The RH side sucked because each bracket had to be custom custom custom

On both his '07.5 and '98 I drilled the frame and tapped 3/8-24 because the frame is boxed or mostly boxed
Right rear bracket accomodating ... EVAP??.... stuff

Right front bracket accommodating....AIR tube?....maybe?

General shot of right side, front 2 brackets

General shot of left

Gusseted whenever possible (er, edit: you can't really make out the gusset at the top of the 1x2" but it's there LOL)

 

Gusset(s) (from A&A Manuf) kinda-sorta captured. Turns out trying to photograph black parts is like trying to photograph black dogs: it's all a blur with little detail!

 

Good job!

 

Quoting myself....I had the '07 back in the shop and snapped a few pics. The Iron Cross steps are only anchored with 2 arms per side and the framerails were actually much less cluttered meaning there wasn't really anything special to accommodate or fit around.

At the owner's request I did tuck the bars up much closer to the body; the original mounting from Iron Cross put the steps lower and you could see the half-holes in the pinch seam. It really did look shoddy this way.

Placement

Overall, RH side

Frame drilled and tapped 3/8-24

The only nice thing about the IC steps is this channel mounting system which allows you to adjust fore/aft and you also get a little adjustment up/down

It looks like it tore out from use but it actually rolled out of the local Ford dealership (who fancies themself as having an aftermarket shop) with several holes in the rockers like this. I picture several 16 year-olds with power tools....although the dealership charges $100/hr in their "aftermarket installation" shop

 

Stainless hardware, gussets at the joints? There's some serious fabrication work going on there. Nice to see real craftsmanship isn't dead in today's "I want it now" world. Wish I could get that kind of work out of my local shop. Nicely done Sir.