[meckman]

Atsenaotie, I just installed my Tech Tubes last night and I also had problems with the straps. I took out my 5-pound sledge hammer and whacked the crap out of those straps until I got them to fit. Took me about an hour for the total install (Would have been less if the straps had fit out of the box). They look great! I really like the look of the chrome against the Galaxy Black. Looks really sharp. Maybe I'll take some pictures once i get my Titan cleaned up.

The straps definitely make a difference in the stiffness of the nerf bars. I tried it without the straps and was able to move the nerf bars about a quarter of and inch when I stepped on it. Once I got the straps on, the bars did move at all.

I seriously considered getting the OEM step rails, but thought the chrome would look better, and also I like how the Tech Tubes curl back into the body of the truck giving it a much more finished appearance.