Does this need to be painted or sealed before installation?

Raw steel will benefit from paint or powder coating to prevent rust. Most owners apply their choice of finish before mounting — coat it in your garage, let it cure fully, then bolt it on. Protects the steel and looks cleaner than bare metal.

What hardware comes with this?

The assembly ships as the bar itself. You'll need to source bolts and fasteners rated for your truck's factory mounting points — refer to your OEM service manual for correct bolt specs and torque values. This is a standard approach for factory-point installations.

Will this fit my truck if I have a suspension lift or lower?

Mounting method uses existing factory attachment points, so the geometry stays consistent. If your truck's body ride height has changed significantly due to suspension work, test-fit in person before committing. Extreme lifts or lowers may affect step height or approach angle.