I'm going to add side bars to make it easier to enter/exit my new 2006 mega-man-van CTD.

Any comments on aftermarket or OEm bars the are good or bad please?

CP

 

I've had no problems with aftermarket stuff , and they are much cheaper than Dealer prices. Check e-bay or Google for them.

 

I like my N-fabs.

 

I do like those n-fabs, but for what I paid for mine I'll stick with them. I picked up some SS nerf bars of ebay. The SS bars and vent visors were about 250 shipped to my door. People can say you get what you pay for, but the last set of SS nerf bars I bought of ebay are still on the pickup 5 years later and still look good.

 

Who was the ebayer that sold em to you?

 

I like my Ranch Hand steps, ill have to snap a pic, but Texas CTD also has them on his if you look at his pics in his gallery....

$120/pair(got a deal)

 

Whatever you get I definetly like the wheel to wheel nerf bars. I wish I would've know about them and I would've gotten them. I have stainless Raptor nerf bars. Depending on what color your truck is I would go with stainless. I like black on white, red and gray. Everything else I think stainless looks good on. I got mine from the Line-X place that sprayed my bed. I bought the steps + installation for $289.

 

If you want to spend the money AMP Research power steps are the way to go. They aren't cheap but are totally hidden when the dorrs are shut. I paid 1275 installed.

 

We make these step-up bars for 2nd & 3rd gens:



I took off the wheel-to-wheel SS nerf bars to mount these on my '05.

They have a better tread surface, are positioned better for entry/exit on our big trucks, and are strong enough to use as a jacking point (but I wouldn't flex the hydroformed frame like that!)... plus I really like the way they look.

I have a set underneath both pairs of doors, and another under the rear bumper.

 

After doing tons of mods on many bikes and trucks...I suggest OEM if you can go that route. There's no guessing about fit and having to mod things to make them fit right. I could on and on about aftermarket companies...don't get me started.

 

Just be carefull with the nerf bars on ebay. Some are shipped with inferior hardware. My Raptor Series 4" SS tube step had lower grade replacement body mount bolts compare to the factory bolts. Remember in the metric system the highter the number stamp on the bolt head the better the bolt. Just like grade Eight bolts compared to grade Two. Otherwise, find a kit that does not use the factory body mounts for installations.

Shawn

 

I also was VERY pleased with the cheapos I got for my old truck on EBay, I don't know the seller. I paid about $159 shipped and they worked out absolutely great.

 

How well do the steps line up for getting in and out?They seem to be forward a bit. Angle of the picture?

I am thinking of getting the shortbox 6 step like yours for my dually. I think the bars will stop about where my dually fender starts and the step won't be up against the dually fender.

 

I have the Westin bars on my truck you can see in my gallery pics.....strong, sturdy and easy to install with a buddy to help hold them up.

 

I've got some OEM Ram Head ones for a Mega Cab for sale in the classifieds section. Here's the link: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...=10953&cat=all