I just ordered these in black from Carparts.com b/c the price couldn't be beat. $129.95 to my door was pretty good I thought. Does anyone know anything about this brand? How do they stack up to Westin and Smitty? Any personal experience's would be helpful.

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Stock Stuff:
Y2K SCab 4X4, Chesnut Metallic, 5.4L, 3.55 Limited Slip, Skid Plates, Factory AM/FM/CD, 40/60 Split Bench, Sliding Rear Window, Towing Package and Keyless Entry.

Extras so far:

• GY 305/70X16 Wrangler ATS Tires
• American Eagle Series 146 Chrome Wheels
• Ravin Z-55 3" Single In/Out Exhaust System
• WMS Velocity Tube
• K&N Filter
• Blaupunkt Houston CD Player
• Blaupunkt PCxt573 5x7/6x8 Speakers
• Pioneer TS-A6815 6x8 Speakers
• Clear Corner Lenses
• PIAA Super White Bulbs
• GTS Hood Deflector
• Catch-All Floor Mats
• Tinted Windows
• Bull Ring Retractable Tie-Downs
• University of Georgia Hitch Cover "GO DAWGS!"
• GA State Flag Plate [><] "Keep It Flyin!"

Coming Soon:

• Genuine Steel Step Bars (ordered 24 Jan 00)
• Herculiner

Pictures:
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...3401&a=8556922

[This message has been edited by onemilmhz (edited 01-25-2001).]

 

I was looking for these..but I bought Westin's instead.
I paid $189 for mine.

I do, however, have the GSP Safari brush/grille guard.

I love it. Not exactly the strongest thing out there, but it looks sooo much like the Manik...it looks a little better I think, because it flows with the angle of the grille a little better.

See..GSP


Now the Manik (Courtesy of Steveo)



Mine from different angle now



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--Lariat4WD--

2000 Ford F-150 Extended Cab Flareside 4x4 Lariat
5.4L;auto;3.55LS;Black/Silver;ORP;remote keyless;floor-shift 4wd;Class III;AM/FM/SingleCD
Mods so far:
Lund X-Terminator bug shield; Vent Shade Vent Visors; GTS headlight blackouts; Westin Black step bars; Pendaliner bedliner; Genuine Steel Products (Longtek Engineering) black Safari Grille Guard; GTS Tail Blazer II Slotted taillight covers; Clear corner lenses; under hitch backup lights; 2 KC Hilites Daylighter 6" 150W black round off-road lights; Cranked torsion bars to level truck; Removed lower factory striping; Replaced factory gold & maroon ORP decals with silver; 2 Polk Audio EX10 10" subs under rear seat; Sony XM754HX amp; Viper 300ESP alarm
Pending
Replacing factory gold/maroon Lariat decals & upper stripes with silver & black
Wish list:
More lights; Flowmaster 40 Series single to dual exhaust w/ 18" SS tips out back; Optima red top battery; Remote starter & Prox. sensor; In-dash TV/CD/DVD/AM/FM head unit; Build house w/ huge garage with a drain and a lift.

Please Visit My Web Site (Updated Daily) and Sign My Guest Book

[This message has been edited by lariat4wd (edited 01-25-2001).]

 

I have the Genuine Steel nerf steps...love the way they look. They run all the way between the tires instead of just under the cab. The drawback is that the brackets for the rear part of the bars are EXTREMELY FLIMSY. If you want a solid step, be prepared to get another brand or make some custom supports. Also, if your exhaust exits in front of your rear tire, the bars won't fit. Here is a picture of them mounted.


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<A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red14a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red1a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red16a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A>

1998 F-150 XLT 4x4 Off-Road | Red Supercab | Automatic 4.6
3.55 limited slip | 12-disk cd changer | limo tint
Magnum Custom wrap-around grill guard | Offroad lights
Blazer back-up lights | Full-length nerf steps with custom brackets
275/70/17 Bridgestone Dueler ATs

Find out more about my truck here:
<A HREF="http://www.escalix.com/freepage/merlin2/truckpag.htm" TARGET=_blank> </A>
Or email me at melvin02@netzero.net

 

Those look pretty good guys. My bars arrived today from Carparts.com. I'll try to put them on this weekend but we're going shopping for the wife's new ride tomorrow. When I finally get to them is there anything I can do to brace the rear brackets?

 

I don't know how you could reinforce the rear brackets without interfering with the leaf springs or other important parts...I made center brackets that extended from the frame. You can kinda see the two struts that go to the middle of the bar in this photo.


Welding the bars to the brackets might also give a little more strength. Let me know if you need more info. Good luck.

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<A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red14a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red1a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A> <A HREF="http://www.my-f150.com/swamprat/red16a.JPG" TARGET=_blank> </A>

1998 F-150 XLT 4x4 Off-Road | Red Supercab | Automatic 4.6
3.55 limited slip | 12-disk cd changer | limo tint
Magnum Custom wrap-around grill guard | Offroad lights
Blazer back-up lights | Full-length nerf steps with custom brackets
275/70/17 Bridgestone Dueler ATs

Find out more about my truck here:
<A HREF="http://www.escalix.com/freepage/merlin2/truckpag.htm" TARGET=_blank> </A>
Or email me at melvin02@netzero.net

 

swamp rat,
I installed them this weekend and you were right, the rear brackets are pretty wimpy. Especially on the drivers side due to the brake line being routed through the same location. The passenger side is actually fairly sturdy. More than adequate for the wife anyway. A buddy of mine back home runs a welding/fabrication shop so I might try to beef them up later. Overall, I'm happy with them so far, I really like the way they look. Thanks for the replies.