I really like the step from realtruck but I'd like to see better pics of how it mounts. It appears it does not interefere with your hitch or receiver but I can't tell from the pics. As for the $200+ model at JCW, I'm not sure the one I just ordered for $20 doesn't do the same thing if mounted to the side as opposed to centered. It says it bolts on using bumper hardware so I would assume it could be mounted to the side where it wold allow use with the tailgate either up or down. I'll report once I get it.

 

Thanks please let us know when you get it. The dollar difference is enough for me to wait and see.

 

Will do. Just finished installing new chrome/LED tail lights and one thing is for certain, the realtruck.com model won't work for me. Since I added dual exhaust and brought the pipes out the back, that step won't fit - the pipes/tips are in the way. It'll have to be either the $20 or $250 bumper mount for me. Assuming 5-7 days shippiing, it may be a week or more before I can report back.

 

Here is a demo video of the two step that realtruck.com is selling. looks interesting.

http://www.etrailer.com/tv_demo_bull...tep_CR601.aspx

 

Well, the $20 step noted in earlier posts has arrived. Stormy weather her has precluded it's immediate installation but here are my immediate reactions:

It's built of 3/16 steel and powder coated black. The action is not as smooth as it might be, sort of a slam-bang operation. It works similar to a receiver in a hitch. The step travels inside an outer square tube. In the full up position it is held in place by a pin safety clip welded in place. At the full down position the 'stop' is simply a bolt that runs thru the tube. The step is welded to a inner tube that slides on a long slot cut out of it.

I can tell you the instructions for mounting are pure C**P! In fact, there are almost no instructions. A couple of drawings that show the product but nothing that gives a clue as to how to mount the darn thing. It appears that it mounts by virtue of a single bolt and bracket that somehow mouts to a bumper support under the truck. I have some doubts has to how steadfast it will be and how much weight it will support. (There is some other hardware and a top bracket by the minimal instructions say this should be removed for any late 90's ad up model truck.) That leaves just the one bolt to do the job. The top portion of the mountig bracket is slotted and there is nothing to show which way this is supposed to fit. Hopefully it will be self-evident once I can get under the truck.

Pictures on the box show that it will mount either straight on to the truck - so that the step is facing to the rear, or off to the side, so you could use it as a step up to the tailgate with the gate down.

As I said, weather here has kept me from getting under the truck to see if this is true on my model. I'll try to attempt installation this weekend and get some pics into my gallery.

 

or something like this...



http://www.toplinemfg.com/html/tsv-tailgatestep.html

 

The 09 F-150's will offer the same tail gate step that the superduties do now....maybe not a solution for a year or two....but maybe find somene with a tailgate to sell next year...

 

That's definitely a thought. Somewhere here in another thread I saw someone who has already done that. Wasn't a perfect fit and had to fashion a hinge (cause he didn't take the one off the truck with the gate) but it sure looked nice. His new gate did not include the step but the concept was the same.

The step B&BFord shows is nice ut won't work for my application. It looks as if the bracket would interfere with my tonneau cover and it sure won't work when I mount the Roush spoiler, otherwise it looks like it would do the job nicely.

 

This one is interesting... (what did we do before the internet)

http://www.stepnseat.com/

 

I have never really looked before but there appears to be several different styles available...

http://www.accessconnect.com/kwik_gate_tailgate.htm

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Pow...ep_bedstep.htm

 

I have the Debo step and it works great. It only takes about 15 minutes to install and it bolts to and around the left side of the receiver hitch tube.

 

Wow! The stepnseat looks like the cat's meow - but it's pricey. The Kwikgate looks nice too; wonder why they say it won't work with a tonneau cover? If it folds down and flat against the gate it seems like it would. I'd like to see mounting instructions for it.

 

Here it is fellas. Don't forget that coupon code below.

http://www.realtruck.com/productline...gate_step.html

 

New Cabelas catalog has a step that fits on the tailgate and folds away when not in use. Looks sturdy, and the $ is not too much.......................

 

I tried today to mount the Steel Horse Automotive Step Up that I found and purchased for $20. I think I know why it was $20...

As noted earlier there are no real instructions with this, just a drawing of the step showing a few parts to remove to fit later model trucks. Today i crawled under my truck and nowhere, and I mean nowhere did I find even a remote suggestion of where this step could be mounted. The box claims "easy no-drill installation" and "mounts with existing bumper hardware" - neither of which I have found to be true so far.

I found Steel Horse Automotive's website. They are primarily an after market company for Jeep products. I could not even find this step - or anything like it on their website. I've emailed them asking for photos and/or instructions for using this step, but I have to say - until proven wrong - my recommendation is to stay away from it. Apparently you do get what you pay for and sometimes, not even that!

I'll go on looking as nothing found here yet meets my specific needs. The stepnseat comes closest but I doubt it would work with a tailgate spoiler - so I may have to decide which I want most. The spoiler certainly seems to limit my options. Others, like the Debostep don't give me the handle that I want.

Google, google, google...