Can't help with the price, however, I can help with the getting in issue. There's a guy in my complex with a very lifted F350 and a very short wife. He has retractable power steps on his rig that come down far enough that his wife has no issue getting in. They automatically extend when he opens the door and then retract when the door closes.
http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Pow...ning_board.htm
Scratch that, I actually may be able to help on the price. Let me know if you are interested and I'll see if I can get my hands on an X plan code. That will get you the Ford Friends and Family pricing.