RiverRatRusty
10-11-2005, 11:51 AM
So I thought I would share my story so no one else runs into this...
Had to get nerf bars so the wifey (5' exactly) can easily get in and out of the truck. It also makes it a little easier for me when putting the 10 month old in there.
I decided to go with the Smittybilt, SureStep in black. I called Smitty to make sure they would fit. I was met with a really rude "we haven't tested so we can't answer" and "you won't be able to return them if they don't fit". So I called a few retailers and the general consensus was that the '05 bars would fit the '06 as well. My bars arrived so I celebrated Columbus daying drinking beer and installing the bars. I figure Columbus didn't know exactly what he was doing, and was probably drinking as well so why not follow in his footsteps. :)
No drilling is required with this kit so the bar mounting bracket connets to the cab-chassis mounting hardware. The kit comes with new bolts that replace the factory bolts and are used in connecting the nerf bar bracket back through the chassis-cab mount. First issue: the factory bolt is much bigger than the Smitty provided one. So I used the factory bolts which held everything just fine. I lined everything up and went to intall the middle support. Second issue: The factory bolts are bigger so you cannot get a good seat into the bracket since it has a bend on it and the factory bolt has a built-in, rather large washer. I tried all kinds of forcing and couldn't make it fit.
Needless to say I finished the install without the middle support brace. I'm going to call Smitty and see if they are willing to make and give me the needed bracket in exchange for the info about the '06 changes. If not I will have something made and just let them figure it out on their own.
The bars look good and will probably be fine without the center support. When I get something figured out for the middle mount I will post back with the results. I should have taken some pictures but as always I started working and was drinking beer and didn't think about it until I was all done. If someone is dieing to see what it looks like let me know and I will take some pics.
Had to get nerf bars so the wifey (5' exactly) can easily get in and out of the truck. It also makes it a little easier for me when putting the 10 month old in there.
I decided to go with the Smittybilt, SureStep in black. I called Smitty to make sure they would fit. I was met with a really rude "we haven't tested so we can't answer" and "you won't be able to return them if they don't fit". So I called a few retailers and the general consensus was that the '05 bars would fit the '06 as well. My bars arrived so I celebrated Columbus daying drinking beer and installing the bars. I figure Columbus didn't know exactly what he was doing, and was probably drinking as well so why not follow in his footsteps. :)
No drilling is required with this kit so the bar mounting bracket connets to the cab-chassis mounting hardware. The kit comes with new bolts that replace the factory bolts and are used in connecting the nerf bar bracket back through the chassis-cab mount. First issue: the factory bolt is much bigger than the Smitty provided one. So I used the factory bolts which held everything just fine. I lined everything up and went to intall the middle support. Second issue: The factory bolts are bigger so you cannot get a good seat into the bracket since it has a bend on it and the factory bolt has a built-in, rather large washer. I tried all kinds of forcing and couldn't make it fit.
Needless to say I finished the install without the middle support brace. I'm going to call Smitty and see if they are willing to make and give me the needed bracket in exchange for the info about the '06 changes. If not I will have something made and just let them figure it out on their own.
The bars look good and will probably be fine without the center support. When I get something figured out for the middle mount I will post back with the results. I should have taken some pictures but as always I started working and was drinking beer and didn't think about it until I was all done. If someone is dieing to see what it looks like let me know and I will take some pics.