My XLT came without step bars and I figured no big deal I'll get after market or pick up some gently used OEM's. Well I thought I got lucky and found a sweet set on ebay of used OEM 5" chrome for a very nice price. They were taken off a King Ranch at a shop that does custom work. I got them super quick and they looked like brand new so I was even more pumped. Well I go to put them on and they do not fit, in fact I was shocked that they even came off a 2006 F-150. The seller was super cool and tracked down the right brackets. Turns out that the brackets were not the only difference, the holes would not line up with the new brackets so nothing will work at all. To make a long story a little longer, he offered full refund which was great but now I'm in the market for a new set of bars. My buddies tell me to just get some after market steps but everything I see is either junk or way over priced. I really loved the look and feel of the OEM set and I guess I could get a set of Westin's for a decent price but they seem to be less quality than the OEM. The dealership's "best price" for a new set was $470 OTD, down from like $650 sticker.

My question is, should I fork over the money for the OEM and know exactly what I'm getting or should I take a shot at the after market even though they look inferior to me? I was thinking of giving the Ranch bars to the dealership in trade plus kicking in a few more bucks to get the right ones. Is it just me or are the OEM step bars actually made a lot better? Usually I think after market stuff is pretty close if not better but not in this case.

Anyone in South Florida need some almost brand new 5" chrome OEM step bars?

 

BTW, I can't just "go without" the bars, my fiance is only 5 feet tall and has a tough time getting in.

 

I know Ur frustration with this, as i have helped a bit. What i would personally do is take the brackets and the bars to a welder and tell him to weld the brackets to the bars and then mount it like you would normally have.

Or just screw new holes into it and use some bolts. Just because it doesn't work now doesn't mean it wont. Just have at her with some ingenuity and show us how it turns out.

 

Yeah I thought about just drilling and rigging the brackets but the OEM have nice countersunk nuts welded in there for safe secure attachment. Right now I'm leaning towards trying to get the dealership to give me something for the set I have and kick in a little extra for a brand new set since I haven't shipped them back yet. He sent me UPS stickers so I can just send them back whenever if I can't make it work one way or another.

 

Does anyone know if the $470 OTD is a decent price for the 5" OEM chrome set? I know they list at $650+

What sucks is that I got this set for $200 DLVD and they are freakin perfect if only they fit.

 

Brian:
Not all aftermarket stuff is junk. It took me about a week to find the ones I wanted for the price I could afford. I got my bars from www.truckaccessoriesworld.com for about $290 dlvd and they fit just fine.
You could also try www.truckstuffusa.com or www.aztrucks.com.

Good luck
Mike

 

I put my Luverne's on as soon as I got the truck. Got there through the dealer for $230 and installed my self. Perfect fit. Have someone help if you do the install, they are a pain in the &$* to balance and line up with only one person.