I'm with you, Sous... My side step bars only go to the rear of the cab, and it's much cheaper to simply add one DS side step for my benefit as compared to replacing both side step bars, even though I would prefer to have the full length bars like yours (the $200+ AMP side steps are NOT an option for me)..

 

I got my Iron Cross running boards/steps for a steal of a deal with free shipping. It was such a good deal, that I had to call the company to make sure I was getting what they had listed. I had OEM running boards on the truck until I installed the Iron Cross boards/steps and they were faded, slippery and the driver side one had a bit of damage to it. I really wanted wheel to wheel boards/steps because of the auxiliary fuel tank I put in the bed. It sits below the bed rails so that the tonneau cover can roll over it and be concealed and out of the weather if we want along with anything else in the bed like firewood, tools, water jugs, etc...

I think having access to the bed via a step is a great luxury to have for a 4x4 truck.

I agree, the AMP running boards/steps are nice and pretty, but I prefer function over looks everyday of the week. If I can get both at one time with a reasonable price, then that is better.

Thanks again Pete, I always value your opinion and ideas.

 

Hopefully the info will help someone (perhaps even me!).

When I got my truck some 12 years ago, ,it already had the black Westin cab-length side step bars on it, but like I said. Though probably not the sturdiest, they're sturdy enough to have successfully handled the full load of my 250-270 lb carcass on EVERY entry and exit from the truck for over 12 years now, and still don't sag. They're not the best available, but given the way they've held up, I just can't justify replacing them!

 

The Bestop 75303 arrived at the house the other day. Since I have been tearing into out 5th wheel installing solar, tank monitors, etc. I just now had time to install the step. The good, the bad and the pictures are below.

Purchased from Amazon with a 20$ instant coupon at time of checkout. I jumped at it because of the coupon and knowing that I would kick myself if I didn't get it when it was on sale.

Link to step - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Good
1. Would I buy it again? - Yes
2. Am I OK with the price I paid at $155? - Yes
3. Does it work well? Yes, better than expected
4. Does it feel sturdy and well supported when stepping on it? Yes
5. Does it fold up and out of the way of someone walking? Yes
6. The step is adjustable from side to side by about 8" to bring it inboard or outboard more. In the pictures below, I have it at its most outward position and will move it in if I feel the need.
7. The arm/bracket is adjustable and can be lowered another 1.5" or so. Where it is now is almost a halfway point between the ground and the tailgate.
8. Does the step making getting into the bed easier? Yes, immensely easier.
9. Do I feel like I will lose my balance getting into or out of the bed using the step? No, I use the bed side rail as a hand hold going up or down from the bed.
10. Would I get the AMP version of this for ~$210? No
11. Does my wife approve and like the functionality of the step? Yes

The Bad
1. The instructions say 30 minutes with a few tools. That was not the case for me.
2. There is a small "tab" at the corner of the bumper that must be bent up a bit, not a big deal, but that required more tools.
3. The socket sizes required by the instructions were wrong, this was for their own supplied hardware, not the Ford fasteners.
4. The powder coat on the bracket is very good, but the holes/wells where the nut goes back onto the mounting bolts of the truck will not accept the flange nuts because the powder coat takes up a fraction of the space. I remedied this by sanding a bit of the hole/well and grinding a bit of the flange off. I am talking 1/64" or so, nothing major, but it took some time to get it right.
5. Getting the bracket for the arm onto the Ford fasteners which are now inside the hole/well was was a pain in the *** because the threads were not protruding very far into the bracket. In addition, the Ford fasteners and flange nuts hold the bracket for the drivers side rear of the bumper in. They have some tension to them, so getting the fastener through the frame, through the bracket for the bumper, into the hole/well and then a flange nut onto the fastener was a pain in the *** for me. Maybe it is because I was tired from working on the 5th wheel all day.

Pictures

 

 

There were mud flaps on the tear when we bought the truck, but I hated them. We will have to get something soon though as we have plans tow do a lot of boondocking with the 5th wheel and take it to AK and back.

I am looking to do something like you did that will fit to the hitch and not obstruct the turning of the 5th wheel. I think the name is rock tamer or something. I would like to do a homemade version, but I still haven't bought a welder.

EDIT: First thing tomorrow morning I am going to peel off that sticker from the bracket. Don't need that BS on there.

 

 

Nice step. I have been toying with the Beaver Step (fits in the hitch receiver) but yours works when the tailgate is down too. Another thing to add to my wish list!

 

Good pictures and write up! I do like the step and have that on the list of things to get. Centramatics and tires are likely the next purchase and that's not inexpensive.

 

Looks nice, Sous!

 

Like Sous, I have a 2000 F250 but mine is a LTD version with 2WD longbed. I bought this step with the coupon deal on Amazon and installed it this past weekend. I too had to bend the tab on my bumper out of the way but that was the only hitch. The instructions specified a 17mm socket, a 21mm socket, and a 3/16" Allen wrench to install the step, all were a proper fit for my truck. The flanged bumper nuts fit into the well of the step with no modification and room for a 1/2" drive standard socket, I didn't need a deep well or impact socket for my truck. I have read other reviews where folks had trouble with the fit of the nuts and other problems so I guess Ford must have varied the fasteners at different times and models, I got lucky.
The step makes gitting into the bed quite a bit easier and feels relatively solid. I use my truck as a farm vehicle and climb in and out of the bed almost daily. This was the last thing I had anticipated needing but I'm glad I put it on as just last week I slipped on the bumper (muddy cow **** on my boots) and almost knocked out some teeth. So far the manure hasn't made me slip on this step, pretty high praise in my book. Now I can get back to solving my oil leaks and upgrading the turbo, hopefully next week. Please Sous don't find any more deals as I'm running low on cash.
Lewis

 

Lewis, good to hear your install went smooth.

The 17mm socket called for in the tool list was loose on the supplied hardware, but a 16mm fit dead on. The 21mm was right for the Ford flange nuts, but those suckers were tight as could be in the well of the bracket.

Strange how two trucks from the same year might have different fasteners for a spot you would think is standard across the board.

I agree that the step is going to be very useful.

 

Not bad, doggy..

 

I built a tailgate ladder like in the first post. Using 3/4 square tube.
used pins from tractor supply so I could remove it easier .
I love it . I'm short and truck is tall . If tailgate is down I couldn't get in bed without it.

 

That design, like what Paul has was my first thought of how to accomplish my goal of having an easier way to get into the bed. Although, after careful consideration I realized that the ladder would be in the way 50% of the time and just another movement or "quick task" to complete based on the way we use the truck bed. We usually just store wood, water and other camping supply items in it. Having the retractable step is the best solution for us and I really think it was a good purchase.

Bit of a pain in the *** to install, but it appears I was unlucky on that front.