Troy Micklon
Member
So I took the steps of the 2003 XLT for the first time so I could sand them down and paint them.
Where the brackets attach to the truck itself I found some rust. You couldn't see it with the brackets on so it was hiding all this time.
Was able to push a some small holes into the area between the three bolt holes very easily with my fingers.
I suggest everyone with the steps bars to remove the brackets and check that area out on your own trucks to be safe.
Should be noted that the front brackets were the worse ones. The middles and back ones just had some slight surface rust.
Where the brackets attach to the truck itself I found some rust. You couldn't see it with the brackets on so it was hiding all this time.
Was able to push a some small holes into the area between the three bolt holes very easily with my fingers.
I suggest everyone with the steps bars to remove the brackets and check that area out on your own trucks to be safe.
Should be noted that the front brackets were the worse ones. The middles and back ones just had some slight surface rust.
