Nerf Bars or running boards?

[PRyker]

I purchased a set of Westin Step bumpers/nerf bars for my 02 2500 quad cab. I just read through the instructions and found out that you need to drill into a part of the underside of the cab to install them.



I was a little dissapointed. I would like to know what other types of nerf bars/ and running boards are available. Which are the toughest ones that do not require drilling or self tapping srews??



Thanks in advance.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I had to drill one hole on each side of the lower body seam to install my Grizzley nerfs - no big deal - but a nice added advantage to running boards, is that they provide much greater protection to the lower body panels against rocks and gravel - but how do the running boards install without drilling - last ones I used were on a '85 Chevy van, and those required drilling too...

 

[Idaho Native]

I've got Luverne nerf bars on mine... no drilling required. Used the cab mounts (comes with longer bolts) and then puts hangars inside the cab stiffener ridges.



My next pickup won't have nerfs... I'm going with running boards. These do nothing for keeping rocks off the bottom of the rocker panels. They are necessary to get in and out of the rig comfortably, though.



Loren

 

[SRadke]

Not sure about mounting but I think these have a no drill install. Might be worth giving them a call.



http://www.toughcountry.com/products/running_boards.htm



-Scott

 

[gitchesum]

The tough country requires drilling through the frame I believe. I had a set similar on my dually. I did like the fact that they bolted throught the frame instead of the body.



However, drilling a hole through the frame by the fuel tank was a little tricky.

 

[JFindley]

I had luverne stainless bars on I believe they mounted as stated earlier,on the cab mounts. But I had to take them off and put Luverne running boards on, the mud was piling up on the back and rusting my rockers out in 15,000 miles. Loved the look of the bars but had to take em off. I may put them back and rhino line my rockers. Jake

 

[lil red cummins]

just ordered these owens boards.

they say they are no drill installation. i will find out.



best part is they offer them in a 2" or 4" drop. i opted for the 4".



they are not lifetime guarantee but they will protect the side of the truck for quite a while i hope. price is very reasonable.



jim

 

[Boondocker]

nerf

I have the GoRhino nerf bars and they are bolt in. The reason I got these is because they are the wheel-to-wheel design, which is very helpful for reaching into the bed.



I'm sure you can get wheel-to-wheel running boards too. I just don't care for the look of running boards. The black nerf bars just below the body line visually disappear, subtly on a not-subtle truck.



I recently saw an add, of course I can't find it now, for something like a shield between a nerf bar and the body to provide running board type protection. I don't know how they mount, but I'd have to guess screwing into the lower body lip. Frankly, I don't think that's a bad thing. It provides rigidity, re-enforcement and distributes the weight across a lot of points.

 

[Woodenhead]

I have running boards and wouldn't have it any other way. The guy I bought the truck from a few years ago from ended up with nerfs and tried to get me to trade my boards for his bars because all the gravel roads were tearing up the paint on his new rig?



I've seen people slip on nerfs and jam there leg between the bar and the truck.



Mike

 

[lschultz]

I put LoneStar running boards on mine got them from http://www.lonestartruckequipment.com/ they bolt on to the cab mounts. They give you longer bolts to use. I had nerf bars on the trucks in the past but I wanted something that would protect the sides better and these do it. And they are wheel to wheel. Basically they are nerf bars with expanded metal welded on the top. Very solid and very easy to put on.

 

[lil red cummins]

Ischultz, i looked at the lonestar link you posted but i didnt see running boards anywhere. what am i missing?



they do have a nice selection of bumpers and grill guards.



jim

 

[klenger]

I had a set of the Westin CPS nerf bars on my 01. I just ordered a set for the 04 also. I was very pleased with them, and the only drilling required was a self-tapping screw at the body for each of the four braces. The bars themselves mount using the body attach bolts. See the Westin website for details.



http://www.westinautomotive.com/pages/westin plat series step bars.html

 

[GFoley]

Although I have a 99 model truck, I had to drill one hole for each side to install Westin nerf bars. It went into an area that did not penetrate the interior or the truck. It was just to add a reinforcing strap. A large diameter self tapping bolt/screw was provided. You could probably get by without using it but I figured why not.

 

[99guy]

Just put a set of Deflect A Shield extruded boards on our 04, I'm pleased with them, sturdy, good protection, but they did require some drilling. I just now looked at the Owens boards mentioned above. The look is about the same and price looks good to. If quality is equal I would have considered the Owens as well and I see you can select from a 2 or 4 inch drop. Not an option with the Deflect A Shields as far as I know.

 

[lschultz]

http://www.southwestfabricators.com/ is another company that makes them. These are like the ones I got from Tietjen's. But I think southwest was higher.

 

[wlowe]

My Stull stainless running boards are drilled and attached to both the frame and the lower cab edge. They are solid as a rock. I can jump up and down on them and they don't budge a bit. Just apply lots of silicone to the drilled holes and they will hold up great. Running boards are the only way to go for protecting the rocker panels.



Good Luck

 

[Blakers]

I had the fiberglass mini running boards with built-in steps on my 95. They were ok, but I don't think they protect as well as the old fashioned E-Z aluminum ones do.



With the 03, I chose to make my own nerf bars.

#ad




Since the pictures were taken, I have had them Line-Xed and have added LED lights on the lip under the cab. I'm very happy with them. I can jump up and down on them with no problem. No holes drilled in truck.



Good luck with your choice.



Blake

 

[GCrowell]

lil red cummins

Jim, I wonder if you got the Owens boards installed and what do you think of them. I too want the 4"drop and after looking and talking to a lot of folks, I believe I will order them. Before I do, I would like to hear your thoughts on quality, installation etc. Are you happy with them?

Thanks,

George

 

[SOLER]

Westin Platinum Series. Nice boards, stainless steel chrome plated. The Signature Series are chrome-plated cold steel. Cab bolts and the braces mount in the drain holes on the inner-underside of the cab. No drilling. Solid. Sharp.



Pics are in my gallery.



SOLER

 

[lil red cummins]

hi george,



yes i got my boards installed. take a look in my pics gallery. i posted 6 pics after getting them installed. they look great to me. i wasnt totally thrilled with the way the bed boards mount because they moved front to back, until i realized i had the supplied mounting bracket close enough to the factory box brace to drill a hole through them and bolt them together. it is real rigid now! had to drill one extra hole in the cab board mount plates too. they didnt have enough offset for the little "el" bracket that goes on top.



it took extra time to line them up front to back. turns out the bed is offset on the frame about 1/2". it was no biggie, but i had to realign them so the black grit strip on the mudflaps lined up the same front and back.



oh and by the way, with the 4" drop, i cant get under the truck on the creeper anymore



and no, its not just my stomach that wont go under!!!





jim