Cowboy,

The Ranch Hand steps mount directly to the frame. They have bolts that attach to a steel plate on the back side of the frame and tighten against the frame with bolts above and below the frame. There is no drilling. Once they are tightened up, it doesn't budge. The truck will shake and move if I jump on them, but the steps dont move. Also, I think these steps actually have more usable surface area to stand on than the tubes do.

This pic kinda shows how they fit. When I open the door it provides plenty of step surface...I don't usually even use the grab handle.

 

http://www.ranchhand.com/steps.htm


here is a link.

 

I would and did go with the stainless steel that have been Chromed.
I had Black steel on the old truck and they have holes in them and look like crap they go from the inside out with rust and on dads truck mom went to get in only to have the thing fold to the ground. It looked ok from the outside but would fall apart.
The new SS/ chrome after 3 years still look new and nothing on the inside for rust.
Jon

 

I went with the nasta all stainless. They are polished and look like chrome, and have all stainless brackets, fasteners, washers etc. Pretty easy install and the fit is good.

http://www.svcustoms.com/catalog/nas...nerfbars.shtml

They are $250 with free shipping.

 

I had black ones on a previous truck and the black paint(?) chipped and rubbed off. I thought they looked good when they were new but within a year they needed to be repainted. I have stainless now that I bought for my previous truck and reinstalled them on my current truck. I have had them about 2 years and they still look new.

 

Ask & ye shall receive..............







Greg

 

Ahh geez, now I kind of like the ranch hand steps..............

 

How about 60 pounds more than that?

 

Well you are welcome to drive here from California and try your 250lbs on them if you want!

They are VERY stout. Much cheaper than Nerf bars and, imo, look better and are stronger. I have had both on this same truck.

 

I'm partial to stainless. Got mine off of Ebay for $180 shipped to my door.


MikeyB

 

Me to. Go SS

 

I'm actually in Texas alot, hauling horses from there to here and here to there. I don't recall being through your town though, if I was I would gladly stop and check them out.
How much did they cost if you don't mind me asking?

 

Cowboy, im not sure exactly what I paid. It has been a while and can't find the receipt. It was a WHOLE lot less than what I paid for the step bars previously. Click on the Ranch Hand link and find a dealer close to you and I am sure they can quote you a price. After they give you a price wheel and deal with them and get AT LEAST 10 percent off of that.

I don't remember the price right off hand because I also got the Legend Series Front End Replacement at the same time.

www.ranchhand.com

 

My 1998 1500 was an all black sport model and black powdercoated nerf bars looked great on it. With chrome accents, I would go with stainless nerf bars. The black nerfs on my 1998 were chipped and rusting in 5 years. Most stainless nerf bars like my CPS Westin nerf bars have a lifetime warranty on the finish.

 

Hey Cowboy - how about a set of ranchhand-style steps like TexasCTD's fabbed in 304 stainless steel, powdercoated any color you want, or just left raw stainless color?

We could even make it class IIIA (300 #) if ya want...