Mopar Running boards & tubes-any good?

[JRyan]

I'm trying to close a deal on a 2006 3500 QC and the dealer will not come off the internet price, which he claims is the employee price and is the best deal he can get. (It's actually another dealer's internet price but they also have a "take it or leave it attitude"). Since he's not moving on price, I've got the dealer to consider throwing in one of the "On the job" incentives. I'm considering the running boards or step tubes. Has anyone had the Mopar brand of these items? How do they hold up? Are there any advantages of one over the other (running board over the step tubes or vice versa)?



Thanks for any input.

(I'm also considering the exhaust brake since I tow a fifth wheel but the incentive is only $500 off the $1,400 price tag. Since we tow primarily in the Northeast, I don't think I need the exhaust brake that much. )

 

[mwilson]

I went with the Mopar step tubes simply because I couldn't find any that I liked for the Megacab in the aftermarket. They were a little pricey but seem to be holding up great. They are in very close to the cab which keeps them out of harm's way, but you have to keep foot in close to the rocker panel when you get out. The only thing that I have noticed is the rocker panels are getting scratched up because my big work boots drag up over them. That does not show with the door closed. but will have to find a stainless do-dad to cover that up sometime. My dealer says that they have put a lot of the Mopar tubes out and has had no corrosion issues, etc. yet.

 

[KCJackson]

I have the Mopar powder coat tubes - see Readers Rigs gallery. I like the powder coat more than the chrome or polished stainless because it matches the appearance and texture of the door handles and trailer mirrors. They're very sturdy - I stand on them when I brush snow off the roof and hood, or when I'm hand-cleaning the windshield with glass cleaner. They're frame mount, so no drilling or concerns about stability.



I had the Mopar diamond plate full-length boards on my 96 (also in my gallery). For anything that requires drilling, as these did, they're only as good as the installer... let's just say they were repaired once, completely remounted once, then finally removed altogether after some road debris bent a body mounbt and a Death Wobble incident a year later shook a board clean off the body at one ned, letting it drag on the highway.

 

[Nine Ball]

I had the Bully brand nerf bars on my dually. They held up great for being parked outside 100% of the time, with 50K miles on them. No complaints with those. Here is a pic of my old truck:



#ad

 

[klenger]

If you have a choice, get the exhaust brake. You can get step bars anywhere.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

I bought some generic stainless tube steps off the internet the work great $175 shipped to my door, I had to install them but that was no biggie

 

[Jack in Alaska]

I purchased my 04. 5 used with 4k miles on it. It had powder coated tube running boards. They had already started to rust, allowed the front wheel to throw road "mung" into the bottom crack in the front doors and the snow built up and froze my back doors shut.

I took them off and replaced them with full wheel to wheel DZ diamond plate boards. Much better set-up.



I agree... . the exhaust brake is a more important addition.

 

[JRyan]

It seems the Mopars are a good choice but there may be other equally good options that are less expensive (which, I guess is true for most of the stuff you buy from the dealer). Perhaps I can get an aftermarket set and apply the money I save there to the exhaust brake. If Dodge is backing these deals ($500 incentive toward the side step tubes or the exhaust brake), then it's not money out of the dealer's pocket and the dealer can contribute some to the exhaust brake (maybe I can get the dealer to give me the exhaust brake for his price, apply the $500 to that and get a and free install).



Anyway, thanks for the responses, they have all been helpful. I guess I'll try for the exhaust brake and with regard to the side steps at least I know to look for something that's frame mount and does not require drilling.

 

[wcjp]

I'm running Westin's on my MC. Very easy to install. Go for the dealer's exhaust brake.

 

[JRyan]

I've heard good things about the Westin steps. Do they require drilling and are they durable?

 

[GHollmer]

Runningboards/jakebrake

I chose the tube running boards. I had running boards that are extruded aluminum. Hard to keep clean. Recommend the Jake brake. We pull a 5th wheel and the help on braking is noticeable.

 

[Hercules130]

Get the mopar rtractable running boards. they work great and they are the same as the amp research ones i have, plus if anything happens you can get them fixed at the dealer.

 

[Hart]

Mopar

I bought an 06 3 months ago. The deal I made is, all parts and labor for the time I ownen the truck would cost+10 percent. I'm happy.

 

[RogersM]

I've heard good things about the Westin steps. Do they require drilling and are they durable?

i have Ranch Hand steps which I took off my '95. I'd also like to know if drilling the frame to install is OK

 

[Task125]

I wanted the ones on the power wagon,They call them rock rails. But do not see a listing for mega cabs

 

[crabman]

Exhaust Brake!



crabman