Just ordered a set of n-fab stainless Steps and before they arrive I have an installation question. All the research and videos I have found show people mounting them using only the 2 bolts per bracket that go into the pinch weld. However the brackets have two more holes at the top near c-shaped part. My factory running board brackets are secured at both the pinch weld and above that into the rocker/kick panel. Will I be able to only secure these to the pinch welds or can I use all four holes per bracket? Just seems that they are quite heavy to attach to just the pinch weld location. Going on 2012 F-150 Lariat Screw 6.5' bed..

 

So they were just delivered today and I opened the hardware bag and the generic instructions..There are 12 larger carriage bolts, 12 smaller bolts with smaller heads and 12 clips that those smaller bolts thread into..along with a 12 large washers and 12 small ones..So i am assuming the larger carriage bolts are the ones that go through the pinch weld and the clips somehow go into the holes in the rocker panels and the smaller bolts attach the bracket to the rocker panel..not sure why but everything i googled about people installing them on their f150s only talk about using the pinch weld locations and nothing else..these bars are super heavy..no way they are only attached at pinch welds..can anyone else offer any more info please..thanks

 

That's all I used to mount... it turned out to be extremely sturdy

 

Why Gibby? If hardware is there and holes are in the truck wouldn't it be best to attach at each place rather than just pinch welds.

 

I thought they would be flimsy too when i got them because of the mounting location, I even tried to mount them on top of the rocker lip but would not fit... I just got my Black N-fab 2 step wheel to wheel bars back from Line x and installed them with stainless hardware. 2 bolts at back and front, and one bolt in the centre (cause i didn't want to drill) and two bolts in the back and two in the front that go into the clips on the upper part of the mount. plenty strong in my opinion, flexes a little but not much or any more than the factory boards on my dad's 2010.

 

I mounted them exactly like boost did, and it just worked out... Im 280 lbs and the were plenty strong.... I've had them on just over a year and still holding strong...

 

I figured. On the vids on you tube the "pros" only used the pinch welds. These bars are heavy. I have the 96" long stainless steel ones. Probably weigh 35-40 lbs each I bet. Sounds dumb but even with level kit on I am afraid all that weight will drag it down a hair.

 

I used the larger bolts on the lower pinch welds, and the smaller bolts above the pinch welds. That's how 4 wheel parts said nfab recommended. They r stout as hell this way.

 

This stainless shines beautifully. Brackets and hardware all stainless too. Should hold up longer in salt than powdercoat bit I snagged these from truckaddons.com for $400 delivered! Google is your friend. Can barely find black for that price.

 

Here's mine.... Not a great picture, but its pouring rain today, so Im using old picture.... I had the repowdercoated when I got them so they would match perfectly with my bumpers I powdercoated at the same time..