I have a '97 F150 Supercab 4x4. I just got it a few weeks ago, after owning a couple Rangers for the past 7.5 yrs. Anyhow it came with these stainless steel step bars that I hate. They are too narrow and fit too close to the body for my liking. My huge feet don't fit on them too well. I usually just step right up into the truck rather than use the bars, but it would be a little more convenient to have some "usable bars".





I'd really like to get some of the Oval Tube Steps from Westin or maybe even the Ford ones. I went to a local auto accessories store and the guy there said they're all gonna fit that close. I don't think he knew wtf he was talking about. I didn't even want to go there but it's the only one here with such a huge selection and I wanted to see the bars in person. If I decide to get some others I'll order them online. Anyhow, for anyone with the Westin Tube Steps, or even the Ford ones or maybe the Manik steps I've read so much about on here, do they fit this close to the body? Can you post some pics or at least links to pics of them?
Thanks
Jarrett

 

I have two friends that just installed two different makes of steps on their Dodges. One set of was the Westins. Unfortunately neither of them liked thiers for the same reasons that you are dissatisfied with yours. We used a piece of 3 inch channel iron to build brackets that allowed us to lower the steps enough to get your foot on them without hitting your toes on the cab. Cut four pieces about 3 inches wide, drill or slot two bracket holes in each and hit them with a little black rustoleum. By the way, my buddy bought the Westins because he thought they were 316 stainless steel, but they are some kind of plated steel, not 316. Hope I have been some kind of help.
Rick

 

OK here is the main reason you don't like your "STEP BARS" they are not really step bars but are called nerf bars and there primary goal is to protect the rocker panel from getting bashed in when off roading. That is what they were origanally designed for and then a lot of the companys started putting steps built into them. All the bars that are of that design will more than likely fit really close to the truck that is how they are designed. So if you want a true step I suggest you go get some RUNNING BOARDS that are big and bulky like what comes on the Expeditions. They make those in a few designs I even think some companies have them in Diamond Plate.

Richard D.

While your here check out my gallery:
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=2479

 

Go Rhino Nerf Steps

They have a full step built into the bar....I was going to get them, but couldn't find them locally, and decided not to wait around for em... (dummy) I believe there's also a lighting kit you can get to install with them.

 

Yeah those Rhino steps appear to a tad bit wider in the step area but are still fairly slim but a good alternetive to the regular nerf bars, which is why I suggested the actual Running boards like the Expy have on.

Richard D.

While your here check out my gallery:
https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=2479

 

I have the stainless steel nurf bars on my truck. Two main reason that I got them was somewhat in line with what Richard D stated, about protection.

I do not off road, but they stick out far enough that most cars or small trucks if they park next to you in a parking lot and decide to swing their door open into your truck, rather then dinging the door it puts a nice dent in their door…

The second reason was for looks, I think it adds to the truck. I would agree they are not real good for a step. I don’t use mine for a step, however my 14 year old daughter does.

 

The Maniks on my SuperCrew stick out a little farther than the Luvernes shown. The space between the Manik and body is 1.25". With a 3" tube, that makes it stick out 4.25" from the bottom of the door. It is functional for me and a necessity for my four year old boy.



I know, I know, they sure are dirty, but that is how my son prefers them. He likes to pretend we are riding in a monster truck and drive through every puddle.

 

RDH,

I have Manik's on mine as well, and like them for the most part. Have the end caps ever come loose on you? I haven't lost any of them yet, but they can come off without much effort, at least on mine....

 

braboin,

I haven't lost any end caps and I really haven't tried to see how loose they are. They don't move at all when cleaning them. I might have to "carefully" see how tight they are.

 

Here are some pics of my westin bars. From similar angles. They mout to the body of the truck.

 

Thanks alot guys. It looks like most of those do sit a little farther from the body than mine do. I've decided to try the Westin Oval tube steps. I tried ordering them from Summit yesterday, but they're backordered until June. So I'm trying to find them at other places.

 

...again here's the Westin CPS.

 

Perhaps you should check out the putco boss bars. They are 4" wide. I went with force nerfs, which are fine. But had I known about boss bars... things might be different.

http://www.putco.com

 

Check out the NFab bars. They run close to the body then where your entrance is, the bar has a lowered step.

http://www.n-fab.com/products/bars.asp

 

Thanks again everyone. These are the ones I decided on. Placed an order for the at a local place.