Need side steps, any recs & pics?

[DCM554]

Would like to hear some recommendations and see some pics of side steps/running boards. Are they really useful climbing into these monsters? Seems harder getting out than in. Thanks.

 

[fox]

I have Kodiak's from Geno's and they have been good.

Getting out of a 4x4 is down hill and is easy!!!

Like my son says, "Gravity Helps"!!!

 

[JWhitcomb]

I have Warn 4x4 steps, nothing fancy but real sturdy as the bolt to the frame.

 

[Josparkz]

I bought some DeeZee FX model running boards. I picked them because they looked like they were braced to the frame pretty well. They have held up well for the almost 7 years that I have had them .

 

[L_Rutigliano]

I have Westin Chrome Nerf bars. Many people at work also have Nerf bars, but everyone has a different brand. I liked the Westins because of the "no drilling" and no hose clamps like the Smittybilt. I paid $300 at the local 4x4 shop.

 

[boathead]

Mopar Boards Look Great!

DCM554,

Here's what Mopar #82206949(matches Bright White clearcoat) look like, took me about a 6 pack of Molson to install 'em( one afternoon), and I think they look pretty good, and offer a bit more protection to the rocker panels than my old nerf bars that I had on the '95, I just didn't want something that looked dorky!!!



Let Me know if you have any questions,

Paul

 

[BSkinner]

Re: Mopar Boards Look Great!

, took me about a 6 pack of Molson to install 'em( one afternoon), and I think they look pretty good,

Paul [/B]

Yeah, but they're on upside down<G>



Bob

 

[Rosco]

Boathead, are the Mopars a "no-drill" design? Also, It looks like you have front mud flaps so I assume they don't interfere with one another.



I really wanted to get a pair of the new Oval Tube Step from Westin but the have been back ordered over a month now and my 5'2'' wife really wants some kind of step.

 

[Elite1]

Boathead, Nice ride!... Liked the picture of the 95' next to the 03'...

I like the Mopar running boards, but am wondering if they (mopar) make another piece for it to extend all the way to the wheel well, I think it would look better and be functional for accesing the bed, where I would put an in-bed tool box.

I also noticed that your truck sits pretty level, did you lift up the front a few inches?

 

[drtrox]

I am happy with my MAAP polished stainless bars. More info on bars here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67651

 

[boathead]

Rosco,

You need to drill 12 1/2" holes per side on the inboard of the rocker panels with a right angle drill(only 10" clearance between the sheetmetal and the frame rail). They just push on the flaps a bit , but not enough to interfere with the tires.



Elite1,

Thanks, thought I'd better get a picture of 'em both before the '95 went down the road. The wife(she works at the dealer) told me a preacher bought it. If he only knew a heathen used to own it:--) , but he probably liked acceleration and the cloud of smoke on takeoff!!! You can also get the "Accent Kit" ($635 list price) which I think has a step for the bed and valances that go around the whole truck, but they don't show this kit on the dodge website for some reason, I'm also considering getting this kit as it actually looks pretty good without making the truck look like an old fart's ride. The running boards list for $695 by the way.

No lift, truck is stock.

 

[Rosco]

Thanks Boathead, I think I will wait for the Westins because I hate drilling a new truck plus I don't have a right angle drill.

 

[crebelein]

i strongly suggest you get the oval westin step bars. i got them for my truck and they look/work great. install time was about 1/2 hour on each side. very easy. my wife/friends have already noticed the extra stepping space. i went w/black so the total cost was about $250 from summit racing. i don't have pics, yet... sorry.

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by crebelein

i strongly suggest you get the oval westin step bars. i got them for my truck and they look/work great. install time was about 1/2 hour on each side. very easy. my wife/friends have already noticed the extra stepping space. i went w/black so the total cost was about $250 from summit racing. i don't have pics, yet... sorry.

How do the Westin's attach?



Thanks, Bob

 

[dnitzel]

I have ICI step bars. They seem to be OK, but time will tell!! I think the plastic covers on the top of them could be placed a LOT better. Here's a look at them. It's a BIG image, about 550k as I had a few requests for wall paper. www.nitzel.net/2003Dodge or https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&albumid=704

 

[crebelein]

Originally posted by BSkinner

How do the Westin's attach?



Thanks, Bob

the main attachment for the bracket is the cab mount. there are also 2 small "straps" that attach the braket to the mounting location for the mopar boards (small slots in body right under the doors). this seems to be a very positive, very strong, means of installation. the brackets are very heavy duty... the install instructions have some pretty decent pics... look here.

 

[krabman]

Maap stainless steel challengers. These are a 5" wide flattened oval. These are kind of a cross between running boards and nerfs, you get a nice wide step and good rock protection but not the look of running boards. They are available in a satin or polished finish. Install time is one beer, no drilling required. PM with an email and I can send a pic, for the life of me I cant shrink em small enough to post here without turning them into a bunch of blocks.

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by crebelein

the main attachment for the bracket is the cab mount. there are also 2 small "straps" that attach the braket to the mounting location for the mopar boards (small slots in body right under the doors). this seems to be a very positive, very strong, means of installation. the brackets are very heavy duty... the install instructions have some pretty decent pics... look here.

Thanks, Curt. Looks like a solid install. I thought I just looked at that site and it said instructions were pending??



Is there enough step area front and rear so you're stepping on the black pad instead of scratching the chrome.



Thanks, Bob

 

[crebelein]

Originally posted by BSkinner

Thanks, Curt. Looks like a solid install. I thought I just looked at that site and it said instructions were pending??



Is there enough step area front and rear so you're stepping on the black pad instead of scratching the chrome.



Thanks, Bob

pending... i just downloaded them... click here -> http://www.westinautomotive.com/pages/Installation Sheets/00005937.pdf



hopefully that will work for ya.

 

[JStieger]

Do the Westins mount closer to the ground than the MAAPs? I'm looking for the steps that give the best ground clearance and have noticed that some side steps/bars mount closer to the ground than others and have more of a gap between the cab and step, thereby losing some ground clearance. Thanks!