Manik Step Bars?
Thread Starter
|
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 878
Likes: 3
From: Divide, CO
Manik Step Bars?
I pulled the factory step bars off my '99 extended cab, planning to have them Line-X'd and then re-install. The last two winters, though, put a hurtin' on them, and I don't know if they're worth saving now. Adding insult to injury, several bolts broke upon dis-assembly, several speed-nuts snapped, and a couple of the bosses broke loose inside the step requiring the use of a cut-off wheel to remove. Me = 
then 
Anyway, I was thinking that by the time I have them blasted and coated (about $100), drill out the broken bolts, re-thread holes, and buy new hardware, I might be better off just replacing them. I didn't realize, though, how expensive these buggers can be! I'd love to go stainless, but don't have the dough to dump into them. (I probably would just go without if my wife didn't want them back on for ease of entry/exit.)
I found a local place (well, about an hour away) closing out THESE Manik tube steps in black powder coat for $150.
Does anybody have experience with this product?
I'm wondering about:
1) Overall appearance compared to stock bars? (I really like the "flattened" look of the stockers with full-length step area, but these are "tube" bars with separate indented steps.)
2) Are they going to start to rust in xx months?
3) How are the mounts for strength? (These look to use only 2 mounting points, where the stock units used four.)
All input will be appreciated. Thanks.
Andy
then Anyway, I was thinking that by the time I have them blasted and coated (about $100), drill out the broken bolts, re-thread holes, and buy new hardware, I might be better off just replacing them. I didn't realize, though, how expensive these buggers can be! I'd love to go stainless, but don't have the dough to dump into them. (I probably would just go without if my wife didn't want them back on for ease of entry/exit.)
I found a local place (well, about an hour away) closing out THESE Manik tube steps in black powder coat for $150.
Does anybody have experience with this product?
I'm wondering about:
1) Overall appearance compared to stock bars? (I really like the "flattened" look of the stockers with full-length step area, but these are "tube" bars with separate indented steps.)
2) Are they going to start to rust in xx months?
3) How are the mounts for strength? (These look to use only 2 mounting points, where the stock units used four.)
All input will be appreciated. Thanks.
Andy
Thread Starter
|
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 878
Likes: 3
From: Divide, CO
Well, since I'm talking to myself (and for future reference) I'll say that I bought these yesterday, and they look like good-quality pieces.
The (2) plastic steps are held on by only one center push-in connector, and two screws, one at each end. This limits the potential locations for rust to begin. (I pulled the screws, squirted a bit of RTV, and re-fastened the ends.
The brackets are quite heavy, vinyl-coated, and will mount to the factory step-bar locations.
Unfortunately, I've also found that Manik appears to be out of business. Octagon, a holding company, bought them in 2004, and now there's no trace. Both phone numbers I found are disconnected, and www.manik.com no longer exists.
Eh, so much for the three-year warranty, but they look like they'll hold up awhile.
Andy
The (2) plastic steps are held on by only one center push-in connector, and two screws, one at each end. This limits the potential locations for rust to begin. (I pulled the screws, squirted a bit of RTV, and re-fastened the ends.
The brackets are quite heavy, vinyl-coated, and will mount to the factory step-bar locations.
Unfortunately, I've also found that Manik appears to be out of business. Octagon, a holding company, bought them in 2004, and now there's no trace. Both phone numbers I found are disconnected, and www.manik.com no longer exists.
Eh, so much for the three-year warranty, but they look like they'll hold up awhile.
Andy