In your search for a black billet, if you find one, please let me know where, when, what...... It really pi$$es me off to know some got them from the same places I called and I was told "never" had them. I talked to Stull directly and also to pickuptrucksaccessories (Randy). They even said they called their suppliers and still could not find one.
I do have a brushed alum on its way that I intend to paint but if you find a black one, I want one too just to save me the time of having to paint this sucker. The only advantage to painting it is you can have any color you want. With a red truck, I have decided to paint mine in a red/black shadow scheme.... I do airbrushing as a hobby so it shouldn't be a big deal.
Anyway, good luck on your search... I gave up after searching for 3 days and calling a bunch of places. I even stopped at our local B&M where they have a thousand books and still couldn't find one.

 

www.speedworld.com used to carry them. May have to call them.

 

Just found a black billet. Stopped by another B&M and they had the "new" book from Stull which plainly showed the black billet with part number 5029X for a 97 F150 and had listings for other madels as well. This shop is in Jackson Tenn but has no website as of yet. They are "Custom Van and 4 wheel drive Center". Anyone with the new Stull book should be able to get them and have a listing. Good luck.