Nerf bars... weld to frame?

[Jeff]

Pulling off my 10 year old aluminum running boards... getting a new bed and I'm going to do some changes to my truck. I've been reading some about nerf bars, but the ones I have seen look cheap for the price. I saw some guys on here with homemade jobs that look awesome, I thought about saving some time and just welding them on instead of taking the time to find holes, measure, etc. Is it safe to weld to our frames? I want this to the be the last set of steps that go on the truck and I want it to be super heavy duty. I'm going to have them sprayed with bed liner when I get the new bed sprayed. Thanks guys. Jeff in Ohio

 

[y-knot]

Take the time and make yourself mounts and bolt them on, it is just plain stupid to weld them to the frame. Most all the Nerf bars sold, bolt to the body mounts and then maybe a small strap to the body. Why not just get yourself a set of nice Nerf bars already made? They Will most likely look much better then anything you make and the pieces are already drilled and ready to bolt on, no need to trouble yourself about spending some time drilling holes and taking measurements, which you seem to have a problem with. Welding them on is plain lazy, it looks like crap and generally would show a real lack of mechanical ability and professionalism. I was always told if you are going to do something, do it right... . or don't do it at all. I think that is wise advise for you as well.

 

[Jeff]

Y-knot.

Who peed in your corn flakes? Thanks for the nice reply. I can weld, measure, drill and fab up just about anything you can imagine, and it always looks nice. I just wanted to know about saving some time by welding to the frame, that's it. So much for southern hospitality.

 

[Snow man]

You arent supposed ot weld to our frames,but ive seen it done all the time. Why not bolt them up using existing holes or holes you can drill in the frame,if you damage one it will be easier to make up a new one and bolt it on. You can make some sweet bars,and mounting flanges. Id also think a bolted on bar with niceflanges would be stronger than welding to the frame,unless you use a lot of bracing to the frame. Personally id use 3/8" steel as mounting plates because i have a lot of it laying around.

 

[BBrooks]

KY is not the south

 

[Jeff]

BBrooks... you being from Georgia, I owe you apology! Jeff

 

[BBrooks]

Used to live in KY, nice place, but not up around Cincy IMO.

 

[jimk]

bars

Pulling off my 10 year old aluminum running boards... getting a new bed and I'm going to do some changes to my truck. I've been reading some about nerf bars, but the ones I have seen look cheap for the price. I saw some guys on here with homemade jobs that look awesome, I thought about saving some time and just welding them on instead of taking the time to find holes, measure, etc. Is it safe to weld to our frames? I want this to the be the last set of steps that go on the truck and I want it to be super heavy duty. I'm going to have them sprayed with bed liner when I get the new bed sprayed. Thanks guys. Jeff in Ohio

I dont see why you cant build a set of bars if that is what you wont. I would use a couple of weld on 90 and the pipe or tubing to build the nurf bars. I would use 7018 3/32 but that is just a idea. Many years ago when I worked at Truck and Trailer in Dallas Tx we use to shorten and lengthen truck frames. I used 7018 then also. Along with Aluminum Tig on the Aluminum trailers. That was a long time ago but I have welded a lot of frames right or wrong there.

I would bolt the bars on and not use lock washers. Just good bolts and nuts and thread lock... JimK