Mopar Side Rails

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I just ordered a 2001 3500 4x4 HO Cummins and now am trying to gather accessories for it. The Mopar accessory catalog shows that the new side rails mount to the body rather than the frame. Is there a reason for this? Are they as sturdy as the frame mounted rails? Does somebody make a better rail than Mopar? Thanks

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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If you're talking about nerf bars which it sounds like you are here's my . 02 worth. If they really mount to the body then I'd avoid them like the plague. There is no way they'd be as strong as frame mounted. I have Grizzly stainless steel nerf bars on mine that are a very well made product. The mounts for these bars attach at the body mount point. They give you longer bolts and those bolts go through the brackets on the nerf bars and then into the body. They also come with a couple of support straps that you are supposed to attach to the body but I left them off and haven't had any problems. I plan on tying the brackets into the frame eventually but haven't had a chance too. Is it possible this is how the mopar nerf bars work too? I wasn't able to find any nerf bars that attached directly to the frame. The Grizzly setup was the best I could find.

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes chapter of the TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly ss nerf bars, front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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Thanks Steve for the info. I will look into the Grizzly nerf bars myself as I want something rugged. I have not seen any of the new Mopar bars in person, but the pictures in the Mopar catalog show many little tabs that are suppose to attach to the body somehow. I'm not sure why they would take this route.

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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The Westins apparently attach exactly the same as Steve's Grizzlys. New, longer bolts that attach through the heavy steel nerf bar mounting brackets to the body mounts, plus the straps that attach to the underside of the body for support. (You have to drill small holes to start these. ) My Westins are solid as rocks - I can jump up and down on them and the only thing that moves is the whole truck. It took me about an hour to do the entire install - and I'm not known for my speedy mechanical abilities...

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Bruce Reynolds - Y2K 2500 QC 4X4 Sport, black 3. 54 auto, EVERY option but Cab Lights. Lots of extras - details no longer posted... Tag: RAMPAGE

 

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Thanks Bruce! Do you have the dual step and which finish did you get?

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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Bruce is right - the Westin's do mount the same way as my grizzly's. I had forgotten about them. The difference for me was the local 4wd shop (they race the monster truck Mongoose) sold the Grizzly's and would exchange them out for 2 years if I run into any corrosion problems. That's just this particular shop I think though - I buy a lot of parts through him. There are pictures of my truck with the grizzly's on it on my web page, btw.

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes chapter of the TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly ss nerf bars, front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's
http://my. voyager.net/stevest

 

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David,

I have the Westin Platinum CPS step bars on my model year 2000 QC Ram 2500 (Westin number 26-1240). They are chrome plated stainless steel and have a lifetime warranty that includes the finish. They do have two steps.
The price of $325 plus $29 shipping along with the stainless steel under the chrome finish sold me.



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Thanks to both of you! I am going to check out the local 4WD shops in my area this weekend. Have either of you used ustruckaccessorieswhse.com? They carry both the Westins and the Grizzly's. Does no one use Mopar?

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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David,

That's where mine came from - the price I mentioned above was applicable last August 31.
I was more than satisfied with the service I received from ustruckaccessorieswhse.com.
Good luck with your new truck and step bars.

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Aloha David,
I have the Genuine Steel brand and got them from http://www.genuinesteel.com/DODGEPRO. HTML ... They are black powder coated with a plastic step for front and rear doors on the QC. They also make chrome and stainless steel.
They also attach with extended bolts through the front and rear body mount but no straps like the others mentioned above. There is a little flex from my 215 pounds and the way I see it, it's good they flex just in case they happen to come in contact with something while 4 wheeling, they won't break or bend something else.
Aloha... Jim

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Y2K, 2500, SLT, QC, 4X4, Medium Bronze,Trailer tow pkg, Milemarker Hydraulic winch w/Warn Transformer mount & brush guard, Highway Products 5th wheel toolbox, Con Truck rack, Genuine Steel tube steps,
Spray-in bed liner, 2mtr ham rig (HF & Screwdriver antenna soon), Ham Radio Call WH6FG

 

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David, I have the black powder coat twin steps for my black 2500 QC 4X4 (matches the brush/grill gaurd and bed rails). In fact, the only things on the outside of the truck that're NOT black are the lights, the tag, and my big, extra-heavy aluminum TDR receiver cover. (I removed ALL the stickers the moment I got my new Ram home from the dealer. )

All that black sure looks great after I've cleaned it - something I have to do often with that color.

BTW, I believe I paid $275 delivered to my door. I'll check on that if you'd like.

[This message has been edited by Tulsa618 (edited 01-20-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Again, thanks for all your help guys. I have been thoroughly impressed with the TDR since I joined 6-months ago. I suspect in a short time I will have the nerf bars sitting in my livingroom while I wait for my truck to arrive (due sometime around March 25).

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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I have the MOPAR steps in black aluminum on the 98. 5 Ram quad. I weigh a svelte 280lbs and my buddy that abuses the passenger step is 365lbs. No twists, bends or signs of any giving out so far. [except for my knee when the step had ice on it and I slid my shin down the edge of it. OW]


My concern was that these are body mounted and there would be bending. Nothing to indicate that they are weak.

SCOTT
BOMB with shin pads in the winter. #ad

 

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Scott! I have already seen your truck under "members rigs. " The link at that site was dead so I couldn't get a good look, but now I see that your link under user profile works. Looks great! I was very interested in that particular picture because that should look exactly like the one I ordered. Is the black anodized aluminum holding up to wear? How does it attach to the body (do you drill holes). I'm a mere 220 lbs. but it is nice to know that I have room for growth!

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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I have some road rash on the alum from the front tires even with the mud flaps. No rust though, just looks a bit rough under there and is hard to see otherwise. Straight bolt on.

Which link is not working?

Growth is good.

Time to go eat.

SCOTT
BOMBing is not just for the RAM... its applied in the kitchen too. OINK!

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TO THE BOMB BAY

 

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I installed a set of the Mopar brushed aluminum steps on my QC. They are body mounted and very sturdy, no fexing at all. I had the the Westin chrome steps on my 96 and they were frame mounted and no where near as sturdy as the Mopars. I have received many comments on the look of the brushed aluminum with the Patriot Blue paint.

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2000 3500QC 4x4, 6-speed, 3. 54, Ptriot Blue, SLT+, every option

 

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O. k. now the Mopar guys are evening out the score. Do you guys have the "new style" with the three (3) mounting tabs in the middle?
Scott, the link that does not appear to work is the "click here" under Reader's Rigs. But not to worry as I found my way. As far as the road rash that you refer, does it retain its black color or does silver aluminum show. And, while I have you, how many holes do you have to drill to mount the Bug deflector and fender shield kit? Splash guards? Thanks again,

 

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I do beleive I have the newest style. They are two weeks old. They have 4 "tabs" on each end of the bars and have two brackets that bolt to the body lip in the center of the bar. My last set of Westin's bolted to the frame via body brakets and had support straps going to the body. As you may know the body and frame do not move together when going over offset bumps or a ditch sideways. The Westin's would sometimes make a pop and after 50K miles were a little loose. Time will tell with the Mopars, but sure seem to be engineered better.

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2000 3500QC 4x4, 6-speed, 3. 54, Ptriot Blue, SLT+, every option

 

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Good point Chaw. It makes sense that you don't want to be rigidely mounted to both the frame and the body. I'm getting sick of this "vapor" truck and "vapor" add-ons. Going to look at some real hardware this weekend and hope the truck gets here on schedule. Thanks for the input.

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David Dressler
(Ordered) 2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, 5. 9L HO Cummins Diesel, 6-Speed HD Manual, SLT Plus, 3. 54 Anti-Spin Axle, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Leather, Sliding Rear Window.

 

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four tabs... one at each end and two in the middle for the steps.
I think it was 4 holes on the hood part of the deflector and I think I used existing screw holes on the fender parts. I'll look in the morning.
The mud flaps where a straight bolt-on from MOPAR. No drilling.
The road rash appears kind of white looking... not very much though... I only noticed it once when I was under there with a rag and felt it to be rough on the surface... closer examination showed it was chipped.

BOMB that RAM #ad