Differences in step bar mfgrs
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 213
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From: Kernersville, NC
Differences in step bar mfgrs
While trying to find step bars for my 94' F250 (which is a real pain as most mfgr's don't make anything for the pre-97 vehicles anymore) I am finding alot of conflicting information.
So far I've gathered that step bars go in the following order of construction:
1) ABS plastic (usually running boards)
2) Aluminum
3) steel
4) stainless
Right now I'm looking at the Raptor Series, the MAAP's, and Westins. There isn't really anyone else that makes ones for my truck. They all claim to be made of Stainless steel, so where are the differences? I can't seem to find any difference in these three brands although a few people have said the Raptors are same as Westin's but made overseas and cheaper, others have said they are quite inferior.
The Westins are available in two types normally but only in the Signature series for my truck. Seems these are chrome steel but there website say's they are T304 stainless. It's tough to know what is real at this point, so if anyone has found any more info comparing brands I'd like to hear about it (wall thickness, coatings, etc.)
Bryan
So far I've gathered that step bars go in the following order of construction:
1) ABS plastic (usually running boards)
2) Aluminum
3) steel
4) stainless
Right now I'm looking at the Raptor Series, the MAAP's, and Westins. There isn't really anyone else that makes ones for my truck. They all claim to be made of Stainless steel, so where are the differences? I can't seem to find any difference in these three brands although a few people have said the Raptors are same as Westin's but made overseas and cheaper, others have said they are quite inferior.
The Westins are available in two types normally but only in the Signature series for my truck. Seems these are chrome steel but there website say's they are T304 stainless. It's tough to know what is real at this point, so if anyone has found any more info comparing brands I'd like to hear about it (wall thickness, coatings, etc.)
Bryan
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Step bars for '94's
I have 6" steps on my '94 F250 picked up at Autozone. If you will look @ jcwhitney.com you will see a ton of steps/step bars for our year truck. Mine are just like the Smittybuilt Outland steps. I'm quite please with them and my wife, who is somewhat short likes them also. I didn't go with anything elaborate as my supercab doesn't have back doors and anything else is pretty much wasted on a work truck. There are tons of options there as well as other sponsors to this site if you search.
Tex
Tex
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 98
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Alabama
http://www.truckxccessory.com/truckx...side-bars.html
http://www.performancecenter.com/pro...ortorder=ADAAA
these two links might help.
http://www.performancecenter.com/pro...ortorder=ADAAA
these two links might help.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville, NC
I wound up going with the ICI step bars, which are polished stainless. The Raptors were about $20 cheaper but I didn't like the quality of the display model they had in the store.
JC Whitney has alot of them, but I prefer buying locally when feasible and in this case the price difference was pretty small....in fact, JWC was more expensive on the MAAP bars by about $40.
tex94F250...my g/f is 5'1" and she has nearly pulled the pad off the dash getting into and out of the truck. I also bought grab handles to mount to the A-pillar too. The joke now is that I bought her something "expensive and shiny"
Bryan
JC Whitney has alot of them, but I prefer buying locally when feasible and in this case the price difference was pretty small....in fact, JWC was more expensive on the MAAP bars by about $40.
tex94F250...my g/f is 5'1" and she has nearly pulled the pad off the dash getting into and out of the truck. I also bought grab handles to mount to the A-pillar too. The joke now is that I bought her something "expensive and shiny"
Bryan
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 0
From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Roger that. Glad you were able to find what you needed. I put the pull handles out of a wrecked '02 F250 with a grey interior in mine and it matched the interior color very well.
Tex
Tex
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