N-Fab Nerf Steps | Textured Black, Cab Length | F0989CC-TX | Fits 2009-2014 Ford F-150 / Raptor / Lobo SuperCrew All Beds, SRW Gas

The factory step bars rusted out after 6 years of driving in the rust belt, and in looking for a replacement I thought these wheel-to-wheel bars with 3 steps would be nice since modern trucks have such high bedrails. No more jumping on my rear wheels to reach into the bed! And for that function alone, this step bar does the job. But IMO, for my height (5'8") at least, the front steps are placed too far forward for the driver and front passenger. My wife (5'5") and oldest daughter (5'7") both complain as well every time they get in or drive my truck, and after 2 weeks we haven't gotten used to the fixed step location. So slightly wider steps that come back a little further would be nice.My other complaint was installation. The instructions are basically worthless, which wouldn't be a problem except the manufacturer provides twice as much hardware as needed (picture of all the leftover hardware). I read and re-read the instructions and couldn't figure it out. Then I looked on youtube for other install videos that didn't look the same as my step bars before I realized that the wheel-to-wheel 3 step nerf bars install differently than the regular 2 step nerf bars. Regular nerf bars have 2 brackets per side, and each bracket uses 4 bolts (two on the bottom pinch weld and 2 in the top body), the same as the factory bars if your truck has them. These have 3 brackets per side, but each bracket only uses 2 bolts (one in the pinch weld and one in the body). And for the middle body bracket, there's not an existing hole so you'll have to drill one if you want to use that mount location. The instructions say you don't have to but if you live in the rust belt like myself half of the pinch weld is rusting away so you really need that extra support since N-fab decided you only need half as many bolts per mount location as Ford thinks you need.This all would have been more readily apparent if N-fab didn't include 24 total bolts when there are only 12 total bolt holes!So, for installation, starting at the front, line up the most forward hole from the new nerf bar with the most forward existing hole in the truck. You're going to use 3 carriage bolts per side through the pinch welds, putting the bolt through the nerf bar first and up through the pinch weld, with a washer and flange nut in the top for each location. For the higher mount locations in the body, you'll use 2 hex bolts and 2 clips on the front and rear mount, snapping the clips in place first and then running the hex bolts through the mount and into the clips. Don't tighten up everything until you have all the bolts in place, then snug them all down. If you decide to drill a hole for the middle mount (which I recommend) go ahead and drill the hole once the nerf bars are installed and tightened down. Use the empty mount hole as a guide, drill the hole, then snap the clip in place. My truck had industrial tape covering the square hole where you'll place the clip in which I had to bust free with a knife. Line up another hex bolt through the mount hole and into the clip and tighten it as well. No need to remove the mount to drill and install that middle clip/bolt.

I bought my truck with steps installed. After a boulder ripped one off, these are so much better. My wife and kids say they have much more grip and they don’t get in the way when leaning in to get something. They were an easy direct bolt up install. Would buy N-Fab again for my next truck.

(Using my wife's Amazon account)Let me say that hate to criticize this product because they look cool in the pictures, but the manufacturer needs to hear it. I'm am a mechanical engineer, former aerospace machinist and fabricator, and have 20+ years experience off-roading with a variety of vehicles. This company simply chose to not to spend the time designing a quality product. The nerf bar itself has nice mandrel bends and stylish individual steps, but the mounting brackets are HORRIBLY executed. The mounts are thin, flimsy, and the bolt holes don't line up with those on my truck (2010 F150 super crew). Additionally, they're made such that the mount doesn't lay flat against the surface it's intended to bolt to. There was time when companies could get away with poor quality like that to make a buck, but the internet now allows customers to get the word out. What's more is that the instructions are vague and nearly useless. They don't give any idea how the step is intended to mount to the truck and since the holes don't really line up, one is left guessing. (The instructions actually say that not all the holes line up and you might need to drill.) If I had bought these bars in town I definitely would have returned them.That being said, after some internet searching and cussing I got the step mounted. (The trick is to put all the bolts in very loose before trying to tighten anything.) They do look nice once on the truck, Obviously that's why I bought them. And it makes getting in and out of my lifted truck much easier. My wife really appreciated them. I like them now that they're on my truck but can't recommend to anyone.Chris

It makes me sad to write this, because the sellers were great: after I ordered, they emailed me to confirm I was ordering the correct part, and then responded quickly when I told them my make and model. And the product is well designed, save for one major point: it looks good and installs easily. The installation instructions are brief but adequate.The problem is that the "step", which is part of the name of the part, is way too small to use comfortably, and is also placed too far forward. As to placement, that is a personal opinion, so disregard that. But if I were to show the step to ten people, at least nine of them would agree that it is too small and hard to use, because the bar behind it prohibits your toe from covering it fully. The step is simply poorly designed.If you only want a step which you can use occasionally for short passengers, this might be fine. But if you want to use the step regularly, so that you can enter and egress the pickup without sliding down the side of the seat and wearing it out, then you will need to retrofit the step with a larger platform. I'm still working on how to do that, and I really shouldn't have to spend the time and money...

At first I didn't think things were going to line up, but in the end I got them installed. I did not use the supplied clips and bolts for the upper mounts, the stock gear leftover from my factory step boards were sufficient. They are not absolutely rock solid meaning that they give a tiny bit when you step on them, but they seem strong enough even with my 200+ pounds on there. Look good, provided the look and function I was after.

The holes are not very close to line up and the steps are to far forward and to small to use for an adult . Finish scratches super fast and they hang super low on the side. Picture makes them look angled up higher but they hang way down. Wouldn’t buy again and I’m going to go back to oem running boards .