2000 'X' and the side steps fell off. The overall condition of the rockers are in pretty good shape considering the age but it seemed to be the brackets that were holding the side steps on that rusted badly, managed to remove all the bolts and the steps. My melt down is that there are so many types available and need some pointers in choosing one and which bolt up styles are better.

 

you could sandblast repaint the main brackets and lag bolt a 2x6 to it, pressure treated of course

 

I had a similar issue. Did lots of rocker repair on my truck and put on a set of SmittyBilt FN1700-S4B

The install instructions are here. https://www.smittybilt.com/docs/inst...FN1700-S4B.pdf

You can see info/progress in my build thread HERE.

The nerf bars were super cheap and look great, came with all necessary hardware too.

 

Just the info I'm looking for Green86, I will check it out, thanks.

Skip.... the question = "wha kinda woman does it take to make a man wanna sit on a slab of ice and fish in -5f below!"
answer = a hungry one! ; -)

 

Did you have the actual chrome Ford Accessory Nerf Bars, or the factory running boards?
My Ford accessory Nerf bars were getting a little dull from the foot traffic on the chrome, so I bought a complete accessory Nerf bar kit from the dealer. I saved everything from my original set. Let me know if I can help.

 

maybe one that cant cook

 

or Both - lol

 

Thanks 01 "X" Mine were the original but I am going with the SmittyBilt on Amazon Prime. Thanks for your offer.... Also Green86 I notice in your post the mention of rust spots starting above the windshield, is this a big deal to fix, do you have to remove the windshield?

 

id say its a big deal to fix forsure, depending on how long its been going on i seen some posts in here that it can ger quite extensive the rust that is.

 

I didn't have any rust spots on the roof of my truck, but I had PLENTY in the rear rocker/dogleg areas as you saw from my build thread.

My advice would be to clean the rubber around the windshield and roof rails well, dry it and apply some wax/fluid film. If there is rust already you may be able to grind/treat it and repaint, if it's worse then you gotta cut/weld, or cut the rot out and fiberglass it all in...

Post up some pics of those nerf bars when you get them installed, would like to see your progress as well.

 

I'll post some pix's of above windshield rust and see what you think.
Green86, How do these bars afix to the frame. Do they use the same frame parts that the original bars use? Do I have to drill holes etc?

 

They come with brackets and mount to the front and rear most holes in the rocker panels pinch seam of the truck, so you should not have to drill any holes. There are 2 brackets for each side, whereas the factory running boards utilize 4 per side IIRC.

It is a simple install, I didn't document the install process in my thread but the instructions that came with the nerf bars are very easy to follow.

 

do you block off the other holes somehow to prevent salt and road debree from ettin in them from the factory mount holes?

 

See photos of my rockers below, there aren't any particular holes to block off per se unless you grind/weld them up, also there are some factory openings in the inner rockers of our trucks from the factory. That being said I did my due diligence with some Raptor UPOL bed liner and rust converter.

 

Checked your pdf instructions and notice they only install at each end, will this be ridged enough for 280 lb guy? I would think there might be a bit of sagging!