Nerf Bars vs. Running Boards

[HWigand]

Okay, like I'm ready to order. But what exactly I dunno. WAY too many options here. Which is better nerf bars or running boards? Which manufacturer is best? Price is kinda an option, but not too much I don't think. I'm looking to spend $400-600. Not that I would refuse a good buy. Chrome is a must and no drilling is required !



Thanks for you imput!

 

[NDearyan]

Whata ya mean, no drilling?



Ok, hears what ya do, ya gotta buy either 5 min epoxy, or lots of superglue... ...



On a more serious note, my sentiments are for the nerf bars, and since getting stuck in a pasture is a possibility, it really should be mounted well. I say, build your own, and have them mounted with lots of ties into the frame, and even into the body.

Then, paint them BLACK!



But you said chrome... .



Sorry. I dunno!



Nate

 

[KHogan]

There's plenty of threads on here... do a search. No drilling limits your options. Westin makes nice Platinum Series stainless steel chrome-plated nerf bars that bolt to existing body mounts (no drilling no center supports). These only cover the cab. If you wanna go wheel-to-wheel, I think you're SOL if you want to avoid drilling. As an aside, you DO NOT want J&J running boards. Ck my thread for J&J Millenium Boards for the lowdown.

 

[Bertram65]

I have Westin platinum series black powdercoated stainless steel, lifetime garrantee. I have been very happy with them. No drilling about 1 hour to install.

 

[lschultz]

http://www.lonestartruckequipment.com is where I got my Lone Star running boards. They are a nerf bar with expanded metal welded on the top. No drilling,full length. They bolt to the cab mounts(longer bolts are supplied) and front of rear leaf spring hanger. They do protect the sides and they are solid. If you want chrome I guess you would have to have them chrome plated. Do a search on here and you will find a lot of info. I had these on my 03 and took them off and put on the o4.

 

[klenger]

I had the Westins on my 01. 5, and bought another set for the 04. 5. I really like them.



Here's a link to the Westin web site: http://www.westinautomotive.com/pages/westin plat series step bars.html



Here's where I bought them: http://www.tpcarguy.com/



Here's some pics of my truck with the bars: http://www.klenger.net/photo_album/truck-camper-slide-show/slide16.html

 

[CKruse]

Check out my pics of the Putco Boss Bars. They are wheel to wheel, look proportioned to these trucks, NO drilling required. They are expensive, but I like them and have gotten loads of compliments.

 

[BSkinner]

I have the Westin, Platinum, wheel to wheel nerfs. There was no drilling. Bolts to the body mounts and uses "T" nuts to mount in the body slots. It's a pretty rigid installation and looks good.



I like the looks of the nerfs. More importantly, my wife preferred the looks of the nerfs to running boards. She's just over 5 feet and this is why they're on the truck. If it was just me, I wouldn't have anything as I'm 6' 3" and it's easy for me to get in and out. By the way, Dodge picked up most of the tab for the cost through the "Automobility" program. Because my short wife had knee surgery, her doctor said the nerfs would be a very good idea as jumping out of the truck would be hard on her knees.



The running boards would give you much more protection from paint chips than do nerfs. Also, if you drive in freezing rain/snow, you can build up enough ice that you won't be able to open your doors. I had to climb out a window and chip ice to get the doors open. It only happened once but was a real pain.



Bob

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

I saw a "04" in a parking lot with 3" angle steel/iron bolted from wheel to wheel and painted to match truck (silver) , also had extra wide body molding on step surface ! Each side was connected togather with four pieces of flat bar (about 3/8 x 2") right across the bottom of the frame rails. I think they might have been bracketed to existing holes. I could'nt linger too long under someone elses truck you know. My point is that these wre bad to the bone and would probally take a serious hit before crushing a body panel. . Very cheap also!

Mark T.

 

[Pawpaw]

I guess I'm a throw-back, or maybe I'm just old , but I still like the looks and protection of full-lenght diamond tread aluminum boards.



My truck has DeeZee Brite-Tread boards on it. They're not chrome, but they do shine when clean. There's a pic in my reader's rigs.

 

[BHunt]

I bought the Nasta bars on Ebay. These are polished stainless steel, with ALL stainless steel componants. (bolts, nuts, setoffs. etc. ) A buddy of mine bought who bought the westins preferred mine. I thought the quality was worth more then the Westins, however, I got them brand new for $215. 00 plus $40. 00 shipping for a total of $255. 00 delivered!

 

[crobertson1]

I put CHROME nerf bars on mine. NO DRILLING. They are MOPAR ones and were super easy to install. See my reader's rigs pics. Plus, as an added bonus, they have Ram logos!

 

[HDerrick]

I have full cab running boards on them and like it so far. I would have bought the nerf bars because of their sharper look to the truck. But, since being a farmer, I frequent gravel roads, thus I had to go with the running boards for better protection from gravel. You should see some of my neighbor's with nerf bars on theirs... theirs look like a truck with way many more miles on them than the actual odometer reading.

 

[RankRam]

Pics are in my gallery.

 

[Pug59]

I would recomend the Putco BOSS Bars. They are 4 inch tubular Stainless Steel and require no drilling. I got my set for 525. 00. I love them.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I pondered this for hours and ended up with the MAAP bar/boaard hybrid. NO DRILLING, look great (imo), and give nearly the protection of the full length mud & ice racks... Doc

 

[mfrost]

I went with the Mopar diamond plate full length boards on my dully. Had them installed before I drove it off the lot. They have been great and no paint chips. The full board is usable and haven't slipped yet. Direct bolt on except the end pieces. Check them out in my album.

 

[HWigand]

Originally posted by lschultz

http://www.lonestartruckequipment.com is where I got my Lone Star running boards. They are a nerf bar with expanded metal welded on the top. No drilling,full length. They bolt to the cab mounts(longer bolts are supplied) and front of rear leaf spring hanger. They do protect the sides and they are solid. If you want chrome I guess you would have to have them chrome plated. Do a search on here and you will find a lot of info. I had these on my 03 and took them off and put on the o4.

I checked the link you sent, I can't find any running boards only bumpers. Am I mental or just missing something?

 

[HWarren]

I found the Lonestar running boards and called them. I think he said boards for a QC were $650!!!!!!! Too rich for my blood.

 

[lschultz]

The ones I got for my 03 were 400 or a little more than that. I went out to my truck thought I had the receipt in there but it must be at home. You click on express link in the left had corner to bring them up but it does not seem to be working. Best thing is to call them ask for Craig. I don't think they have gone up on the price that much.