Nerf bars - side step bars, help

2012 Tacoma TRD offroad DC, looking to add some side bars/ nerf bars and need some help figuring out what to get.

Mostly for looks and sometimes used by the kids and grandma to get in easier. Protection for door dings would be great, but I just don't see how that is possible unless they stick out from the truck 6".

here is what I think I know

1. 3"
2. I don't want a huge gap between the body and the bars, ie don't want to see mounting brackets - key point
3. willing to spend about $300 for the set

Questions

1. Powder coat black vs polished SS
2. What brand is best
3. Oval, round, flat, etc...
4. Best online place to buy, ebay, autoanything, etc...
5. Might get a bull guard as well and mount some lights so I would want it to match.
6. Other?

Thanks all

 

1. Powercoated..unless you like the look of polished metal on your truck..alot don't like chrome on their truck. Other option is bed liner
2. N-fab is prob the easiest and very popular. But other companies make them as well. I am picking up some Avid Offroad steps(http://www.avidoffroad.com/ http://www.n-fab.com/)
3. Usually consists of a 2in or 3in main tube and smaller tubes coming out..I don't think others exist.(altho they can make custom steps if you want)
5. Avid makes some nice lightbars

 

well check out my post and what im selling

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/209665-fs-2012-predator-step-sides.html

 

Thanks, but I noticed you don't include the boobies, and I don't want the steps on them, just the bars. Thanks though and good luck with the sale, but let me know if you throw in some boobies for sure.

 

well alright then ill kepp the boobies in mind!!

 

Oh you don't want the metal things on the bars? Avid offroad doesn't put the metal flat pieces on

This is Avid Offroad's side steps I got a few days ago..they come bare metal so you do have to get them painted or whatever

 

Checked out the factory stepbars? They fit pretty tight.

 

Here is Avids steps line-x'ed just picked them up!