Nerf Bars, Which Ones?

[BigEd]

I am relocating to the country with a gravel road. I would like to know which nerf bars would hold up better to stone/gravel chips, the Chrome Stainless Steel or Black Powder Coat Stainless Steel? Also, is there a particular brand any one would recommend, how many $ and where can I get them?

Many Thanks!

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'99 2500 4x4 Short Bed Quad Cab, Emerald Green, 5 Speed, Tonneau Cover, Bed Liner

 

[RonaldLarson]

I have had my Westins' for two years. They are chrome plated steel, not stainless. They have accumulated absolutely no rust through two winters with lots of ugly chemicals on the roads to melt ice. The "stainless" rocker covers have shown an alarming tendency to rust in the same period. Chrome is harder than stainless, and when properly applied over nickel will outlast SS by a bunch. Remember, stainless steel comes in many alloys, and the least expensive are used in automotive trim applications. SS absolutely does rust, except in aircraft and hydraulic applications, where a much more expensive and non-rusting alloy must be used. Usually, 300 series is used in automotive, and 400 or 17-4 etc. in aircraft and hydraulic systems.
The Westins are atached to the cab mounting bolts, and are strong, protective and beautifull. No drilling into the sheet metal.
Ron


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'99 QC SLT 4X4, Forest Green, long box, camper/trailer pkg, 3. 55 axles, auto, CD/cassette, power seat, heated mirrors, HD xfer case, Two meter Radioshack ham transceiver (license KC7MME),Proud member of the vast right wing conspiracy!
'98 Arctic Cat 300 4X4 ATV
'00 Honda Recon ATV
'99 Grand Cherokee
NRA Life member
"Bible thumping" Rush Dittohead!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have the Westin Stainless bars on my 01' They look great. I had Westin stainless on my 95 Tahoe too, never had a problem and i live in the northeast.

 

[Bob Wagner]

I love my Stainless Smitty's #ad

 

[Loren]

I have the Westin CPS (Chrome Plated Stainless) bars on my 2000 model and ICI stainless bars on my 1995.
The ICI's are quality bars, virtually identical to the Westin's, except the ICI's are not chrome plated over the stainless steel. I bought them because Westin didn't make bars to fit the '95, according to the truck accessories guy.
When I was shopping for bars for the 2000 truck, I bought the Westin's because those bars come with a lifetime warranty which includes the finish.
I live at the end of a half mile gravel driveway and have had absolutely no problems with the finish on either brand.
I have had warranty issues with both ICI and Westin. The original ICI bars were mis-marked and I got bars to fit a Chevy. ICI made it right immediately.
I stripped a hole (no nut in the hole, like ICI installs) with a self-tapping bolt on one of the Westin's. Westin shipped me a replacement bar and sent a call-tag to have UPS pick up the original.
My opinion is that you can't go wrong with either of these companies. I would also opt for the chrome/stainless look rather than the painted/powder coated, because I know the chrome will stand up. Besides, I think it looks better.

Loren

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2000 Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, six-speed: U. S. Gear exhaust brake, MileMarker Select Drive viscous coupling, Velvet-Ride spring shackles, Painless Wiring circuit box, Optima yellow-top batteries, Super-Glide 5th wheel hitch, Reese folding ball gooseneck hitch, Drawtite front hitch receiver, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller, Westin nerf bars, Clarion sound system
1995 Standard Cab, 4x4, long bed, automatic: Firestone Ride-Rite air springs, torque converter lock-up switch, 4" cat-back exhaust, Reese 20K 5th wheel hitch, Reese gooseneck hitch, Hayes Micro Control trailer brake controller, 100 gallon bed-mounted fuel tank with 12 volt electric pump & fill nozzle, Swiss Cap fiberglass cap

 

[klenger]

Westin CPS bars for me. They were offering a $35 rebate. I assume it's still available. After I mail ordered mine, I found them at Pep Boys for ~ $325.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

[This message has been edited by klenger (edited 05-17-2001). ]

 

[Batman]

BigEd.
Westin CPS here also. Great fit, easy to do. Like Loren, I too stripped a hole in one of the bars with a self tapping screw. The speed shop I got mine from exchanged bar next day with absolutely no problem. I have had these bars on thru NE winter with salt roads, and driven thru numerous road constuction sites. Bars still look new.
Hope this helps your decision.
BTW, if you get the Wesitins, try threading the self-tapping screws while the bars are off the truck applying good pressure down while threading in. #ad


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George
2001, 3500 QC 4x4 dually, auto, 4. 10 LS, camper & tow groups, RBW 15K hitch, Lund Visor, Westin Platinum CPS nerf bars, OEM front mud flaps, after-market rear flaps.
Stock... ... ... . for now!

 

[hammong]

Westin black powder-coated nerfs for me, and after a year they still look like brand new! I'd recommend them to anybody.

Even with my big 260 pound frame jumping up and down on them while getting in and out of the truck, they haven't flexed one bit, and have never needed to be tightened back onto the frame.

As for chrome vs. powder coat, I think it's more of a personal decision of appearance. IF the bars get chipped or damaged, the black powder coat is going to be a lot easier to "fix" down the road.

Greg

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Y2K Dodge Cummins QC 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 Long Bed, 4. 10/Auto, Forest Green/Driftwood, 265x75R16 Michelin LTX, 6 speaker CD, Camper/Tow/Plow Packages, Westin Black Nerfs, Mopar bedliner, Ultra bright diamondplate toolbox, K&N Filtercharger. Autometer EGT and Boost gauges with 2-gauge full pillar w/tweeter.
http://www.rints.com/hammond for photos!

 

[klenger]

I think that Westin warranties the finish on the CPS bars for life, but you might want to confirm this.

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Ken Lenger
2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 54 (no LSD), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate, Westin CPS Step Bars, Jordan Utlima Brake Controller, Weather_Guard 664 tool box
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

 

[Davison]

nerfs

For what it's worth: I too plan on being on gravel roads and leaned towards the Westin, BUT after month's of consideration am definately leaning towards Stainless Running Boards. At least they will give some protection to the lower part of the truck! Check out the J & J Ent. Millenium Running boards http://www.j-jent.com

 

[DonS]

Originally posted by grobin

BTW, if you get the Wesitins, try threading the self-tapping screws while the bars are off the truck applying good pressure down while threading in.

I threaded mine while off the truck using a C clamp - put the screw against the hole, placed the C clamp around the screw and bar. Tghtened the clamp snug, gave the screw a half turn, repeat.

 

[Bill Littlefield]

I've got the chrome plated Westins on my truck and have had for 4 years. I run 35 inch tires with aggressive tread and travel in Washington and Oregon on dirt and gravel as well as highway. Oregon uses a lot of chemicals. So far, so good. I have a few small rock chips in the bottom side of the chrome but they are not rusting. There are so few that I have not considered it an issue. They did have them for my '95 truck and they were easy to install. I'd do it again.

 

[Max Wedge]

I bought a set of Luverne SS bars a few months ago, and love them. No drilling anywhere! Life time warrantee on bars.



See below thread:





Luverne Bars Explained



Max

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have the Westin Chrome plated stainless bars on my QC. I love them, they look great even after a NASTY salt season.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

WAAG'S High Quality And STURDY!!

I love the WAAG's I just bought fit~n~finish are the key!





#ad


<hr>

Truck Bio:

Y2K+1 3500 4X4 Quad Cab 4:10:1 LSD



Powerpacked (4 inch exhaust,High ram intake,wastgate mod to 38 psi,otto +guages,K&N) , Jakit's Front End Leveling Kit with 255/85R16 BFG http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/ M/T's Custom Rhino Liner (see Tool Man's truck feature)DeeZee Goodies, WAAG Side tubes with kick~outs Mopar Performance accessories-Sill plates-hitch cover-cargo aux lamp'n'Power, Hadley air systems 150 psi comp and air storage. Diesel Transmission Technology's ~93%TC~&~VB , TC Saver, Mag-Hytec'sDouble Deep Trans pan, DD1's + Van Aken + Full Autometer Guages. Play hard and live #ad

 

[ET]

HERE IS A PIC OF MY WESTIN'S ONLY HAD THEM FOR 3 MONTHS BUT LOVE THEM THEY ARE THE STAINLESS ONES

 

[R Anestis]

Westin CPS bars here too. For an extra $50 over steel ones, you can't go wrong. I'm pretty sure the finish is guaranteed for life. It takes longer to get the tools out than it does to install them! To anyone who will be installing these in the future: consider pre-tapping the holes that the "self-tapping" bolts go into. Use an old tap if you have one ( I believe the bolts are 3/8-16 NC thread), and some cutting/tapping fluid if available. Chances are, you'll break some teeth off the tap. Any grade of stainless is much harder than the steel used on regular steel nerfs. Too hard for the bolts to tap into without some extra help.

-Ron

 

[DAWG-1]

I have SS Smittybuilt. The one thing I noticed is they scratch real easy. Otherwise they serve the purpose.

 

[cap-n-cray]

Stainless Steel Black Powder Coated

I have on order, but have not received, a set of Westin stainless steel black powder painted nerf bars. Part number: 26-1245. I should get them in a week and a half. I liked the idea of stainless and the black color. I ordered them from a guy off Ebay who is a dealer in Westin products and trailer hitches. I think I got a good price, $270 which included shipping.

 

[Ed Sigman]

Nerf bars

I have MAAP Stainless Steel. Used them on 4 other Dodge 2500's and now on my 3500. No deterioration in heat or snow. Excellent value for the money and cosmetically they are great.