Stock step bars on my 99 are rusting up from age. Have an opportunity to pick up a brand new chrome set off a 2013 for cheap. Will I be able to mount them or are the brackets year-specific?

 

I think the new ones will be longer.

 

Could always take yours off and take 30 seconds to pitch the '13s up to your rockers and see how they fit. My money would be on them not fitting though.

 

Yeah I'm not too confident. Was hoping maybe someone on here had tried it before. I may just end up ordering a set. It's a shame bc I like the stock brackets and I haven't seen any aftermarket steps with brackets that I like as much.

 

It certainly couldn't hurt to try. Then there would be an answer for the next person that wants to try this. You haven't been the first to wonder. The OEMs lasted you almost 15 years, and that's pretty darn good in a salty winter climate., so it'd be nice to get that again. Maybe see if any have been plucked off low-rust southern trucks and are on the ole innerweb for sale.

I think they might fit 04-08s, cause those trucks are very similar. But the 97-03 are so different.

 

going down this road myself, from what I have researched....even the 04'-08' generation wont quite work... the mount spacing isn't there & gets off. Yes, even this gen Nerf Bar or Step Tube is longer then the 97-03' gen.

BUT...on the under side of the Nerf Bar or Step Tube....some offer multiple mount locations....this is where I haven't fully investigated the possibilities. But it appears that the mount brackets will work...there again I haven't fully investigated the possibilities.

Oh & those more economically purchased Nerf Bar or Step Tube, or what ever you like call them are made over seas in C****, stuff that is a bit more pricy stands a better chance of being made here IN USA.... & prolly a better over product. IMHO

so before ordering...just ask where exactly are these made? aka country of orgin

 

Well, my brother just moved down with his 2012 STX ext. cab... so I'm going to yank off one of his boards and see if there is a way to make it fit. I haven't fully investigated the mounts yet, so I'm not sure if they bolt through designated spots in the body and/or frame... hoping for some kind of universal bracket...

Debating on not telling him and letting him walk out to a truck with a missing nerf bar... then again, he's got me by 11 years and 15 pounds, so that might not work out so well

 

The mounts bolt to specific holes in the rockers from what I know. Depending on how old you are, that could just mean he's getting old and fat compared to you

 

well that would be a Aprils fools gag ya got video it though...his face would be like then its time for

Some brands of nerf bars or tube steps reportedly do offer a infinite adjustability, with a slots that run the length of them on the under side for the mounts to attach to...BUT sadly I do not know the what brand those are yet myself