Wow, thank you for all the responses. Here's what I can tell you.
There's really 1 supplier for these. They have the molds. The website listing does appear to show them with similar tweeks. Those pics have been added since I made my purchase. The fact remains, if you need these, they're the only game in town. My truck came with only one of the originals and it's in sad shape. It almost looks to me like the new ones were pulled out of the molds before the resins cured, hence the malformations.
JPSWAP is right, I need to fix these, 'cause it will bug me forever.
There are brackets on each side that the step portion is glued to, but the step itself doesn't just curve up in the direction you see in the one photograph, it's kinda of twisted. I've been cruising the corvette forums to see what guys there do to fudge there panels, but it hasn't been a lot of help. The general consensus is that heat works for a little tweak, but i need more than that.
I am planning on reaching out to Dustin soon, about his steps and a few other sport side specific questions. I believe his glass issues where with WT front fenders and from a different vendor.
So here's where my head is at. I have about 6 weeks left before the warm weather is gone. My shop is not heated The motor is done and the rest of the drive train is ready to be installed as well. I need to get paint on. The big body work is all done. Now it's just my OCD, Type A and all that kicking in. Going over every inch with 400 wet and spot putty. Another weekend or two and I think it will be ready for sealer and top coats. Please keep in mind, I really only get 2-3 weekends a month to work on the truck at this point. I think I'm going to a week off in September and just get it prepped and painted.
I'm not sure if I made a strategic error in tackling the bed this summer. I may have. I began working it in June and now it's September. The logic at the time was it would be too hot to paint in August, and I could get the bed done, painted and put it in the barn for the winter. I may have outsmarted myself a bit there. The idea being to use the winter for setting the drivetrain, doing the dash and electrics, finishing up brake system, A/C, plus body reassembly etc.. I'm not pressed for time, but I am pressed for space, plus moving forward is the best inspiration to keep...moving forward.
Thanks again for the input guys, I'm going to paint the bed and all of it's parts and put these steps aside until spring. I'm thinking some relief cuts, some heat and twisting,may get things to where I want them. But anyway it goes, I'm going to want them right, and it's going to take a lot of time.
Wouldn't be an update with out a pic or 2. These are courtesy of Rick Jones, the builder (sc/397) at the Mothership. They are his pictures. 2nd is a video.
[/url]
IMG_2061 by
Rick Jones, on Flickr[/img]
[/url]
IMG_2066(1) by
Rick Jones, on Flickr[/img]
Until next update,
Fleet Fox
I do things my way, and I pay a high price.... JCM