May also want to first make sure they are in stock or can be ordered & arrive before your vehicle arrives. I ordered mine after I took delivery. Took about a week or 2 before they arrived. The parts department did give me the 10% off when I ordered.

 

Question, Leo: Is the material such that the puddling could be resolved by drilling a drain hole or two vertically thru the step bar?

And thanks to the readers of this thread, the dealership will discount the step bars appropriately. And they will arrive today, well before the vehicle arrives.

Thanks,
John Dixson

 

They are modular units, not single layer steps. They replace the standard rocker panels and drilling a hole in the surface would allow water and dirt to collect inside the units.

I have never noticed water pooling there but I suppose it does. Snow piles up on them, that's for sure, but it piles up on the rear gate area, too. Also you have to be careful not to let you pants rub on the side steps when you get in & out.

That's it for the negatives.

 

Got it re the drainhole idea, Terry, and I don't think worrying about the snow catching properties of the step bars will be an issue down here in southern Florida.

Thanks,
John Dixson

 

Yea, I wouldn't drill any holes in them, I'll just have to control my obsessive compulsive tendencies as far as the water spots created on the steps when the puddles dry

 

Link to artical please

 

The thread is at " Edmunds CarSpace" at: Forums Hybrid Vehicles Ford Escape Hybrid Ford Escape Hybrid Maintenance & Repair Ford Escape Hybrid Brake Problems

The poster is a cab driver in SanFrancisco, try this link and be sure and start reading at post #61:

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0ee01d

[Again, off topic for this particular thread]

 

Just a FYi to add to the post. Ford's step is intergrated, but browsing eBay today I found supposedly chrome tube bars: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Stain...spagenameZWDVW

 

These look interesting for those who prefer a tube bar or step. Great find!!

It's worth noting that the Escape in the Ebay ad has had the finish plates removed and not replaced with anything. Based on how that area looked when I removed mine, I'm not sure I'd want it exposed like that. There are spot-welds and seams, as well as numerous holes and pre-tapped fittings where the finishers or steps attach. The photo appears to have been modified to not show those and to make the results look cleaner.

Not to mention the color: The FEH isn't available in red.

The Ford stuff came with all the pieces to seal that area from moisture and plug any holes. Hopefully these guys give you all that stuff too. Note the $50 shipping and $30 restocking fee if they're returned.

 

Terry, I should be getting the Mariner and the step bar kit later this week. How good were the kit instructions?

I looked all over the Ford accessory site but they do not seem to have wanted to post the kit instructions.

Thanks,
John Dixson