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Step Bars
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Step Bars
 
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 Looking for advise on step bars? Since I've put bigger tires on the truck, my short legged body struggles to get in it without pulling on the steering wheel. Seriously thinking about step bars. Don't want hoops or running board. Don't want them to protrude too far out and prefer bolt in without drilling if possible. Also, want a subdued look so will be going with black, preferably powder coated. If you've put these on your truck, I'd sure like to see pictures. Suggestions and recommendations please?
John
"Blackie" - 1986 F150 4x4 - Mildly warmed over 351W HO - Original owner |
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Here are the ones I put on my 81.
  They are from LMC. About $270 or so if I recall correctly. Their height is probably not very representational, I ended up fabbing up a bunch of bracketry to mount them, and I mounted them a couple inches lower than where it looked like they were going to land. The reasons for that were twofold. First, it did not make much sense to me to have to step up 18 inches to get into a truck whose floor was 21 inches up, so I tried to split the difference a little more. Second, (and the reason for fabbing the bracketry) the instructions were very poor, Ikea-style ideograms that were not clear, either in my mind or on the paper they were printed on. I could not see how they could fit on my truck. I think there are some fundamental differences between the flaresides and the fleetsides in the area where these would mount, and they basically don't work with flaresides (if there was a warning on the LMC site, I completely missed it). That would not apply to your truck, of course. Anyhow, as far as the bars themselves go, I'm happy with them and they seem fairly tough and scuff-resistant.
81 F150 Flareside, Edelbrock Pro Flow4 FI, hydraulic roller 351W, E4OD, 4x4, BW1356
92 F150 RCLB 351W E40D BW1356 mostly stock |
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I bought these Westin 23-0530's off eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/164322116674  Those were for an '81 F-250 but it fits a wide range so it might fit yours. One thing I liked about this it was it was a bolt-on - no drilling or other mods. They use two existing factory bolt holes and bolts (with threaded couplers). No matter what you get I'd agree it makes a huge difference on getting in!
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1981 F-250 Custom. 6.6L V8, 4 barrel Holley carb, ARA aftermarket A/C. |
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In reply to this post by Machspeed
I think you need to design some motorized retractable ones
 Have you thought about the slide out version that was available for these trucks? They are a little 'different' and not sure if more a novelty but they show up on ebay every now and then. Trade steering wheel wear for door hinge wear... https://www.amp-research.com/powersteps
Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6 'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio |
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Oh, that texter is you, John!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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This post was updated on .
In reply to this post by Machspeed
I have the DeeZee treadplate running boards.
The truck had them on it originally (I found a NOS set of the same model) running all the way from front wheel to rear. I didn't care for the look of the ones on the bed so just did the cab ones. I can appreciate the old school/period correct approach While not truly 80-86 and and not sure if they'd count as an old school look, have you thought about the later year style (Lunds) that hugs the rocker panel? I've heard they rust out so not sure how plentiful they are.  Nice that there are a few options to fit the look one wants. Not only driver preference but also what goes best with the truck config/stance.
Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6 'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio |
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I dont think you will find Lund's or Ford factory ones from what I have found. Now there was someone that started making them but the (other) forum was starting to get into it about the person selling them had to be a sponsor and that was going to be $$$$ so I dont know what will become of it? Here is a link to them. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1684289-here-they-are-i-said-i-would-build-them-and-i-did-fiberglass-steps-for-f150.html Now the other thing to note this is only for the fiber glass step and not the brackets needed to mount them. I think it was posted that DC or JBG has the brackets but they are not cheap. Some said they could make the brackets out of iron but needed the steps. In that same area there was a post on the brackets if you want to do a search. Dave ----
Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1 81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100 |
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Dang, I bought a pair of Westin bars before I saw your post, Beefy! Sorry about that.
Do I remove the nut that holds the cab on before threading on the connecting nut from the kit? The instructions don't say - but there aren't many threads to bite into with that factory nut on. 
'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350 '59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD '58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD |
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 Exactly right, Gary! I emailed their customer support and got a quick answer saying the same thing. Besides, it appeared to me the nut is swedged or somehow fixed on that bolt and I'd have had to use air impact to remove it, if then. I'm really impressed with the quality, ease of install and looks of these Westins.
'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350 '59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD '58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD |
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Those do look good.
Are they solid?
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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