Northwest Custom

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Just got my new stainless steel rocker panel covers from Northwest. I ordered them from Jason early last week.

They're on the truck, and I couldn't be happier. I was seriously looking into repainting the rocker panels, which had really started to look bad with lots of stone chips and scratches. The truck now looks better than new. The weight, (guage) fit'n'finish, and ease of installation should recommend this approach to anyone who wants to restore their truck's appearance.

I chose the rocker panels with a die-cut Ram's head (Dodge Logo) under the Tubo-Diesel emblem, but Jason has a selection of other cut-outs, including "Cummins Power," and others.

The stainless steel gives the truck a similar appearance to the factory two-tone paint jobs, only better! Install these and you never have to worry about stone chips again. Cost of the setup is $225, plus $25 shipping.

I ordered the mudflaps at the same time, and can't wait to get 'em.

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97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), "Twister Turbo," Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson "Classic" rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake.

 

[Archive]

Sasquatch, did you purchase the polished stainless steel panels or the brushed stainless steel version?

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, Dynamat, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Amsoil Dual Remote Bypass, Optima Yellow Tops, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, (censored), Aeroquip braided s/s fuel lines, Banks 14 cm2 turbine housing/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

 

[Archive]

John,

I ordered the bright version of the stainless. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't even know there was an alternative, "brushed" steel available. I like the way the panels "mirror" anything that the truck is parked over. It's really a beautiful effect. This has got to be the most bang for the buck, and the best and easiest way, to enhance the appearance of a truck that has racked up some hard miles.

 

[Archive]

I really like the look of the polished stainless steel panels! I've been considering the purchase of the brushed stainless steel panels for my own Ram ever since Jason debuted these at Dyno Days in April HOWEVER, I can't bring myself to add these to my ALL BLACK Sport Ram. #ad


... ... maybe he'll talk me into it at Dyno Days (if he's there)

 

[Archive]

Ha! I knew it! As soon as I saw the title of this topic, I knew I'd see a comment from John!! Not bad, he responded in about 45 minutes! #ad

Seriously though, I have a set of Jason's mudflaps on my truck, and I really like them. I have rather long mudflaps behind the rear and front wheels, because I live on a gravel road, and my all-terrain tires really pick up a lot of stones in the lugs and fling them off when I get up to speed. The way the mudflaps are "stepped back" and hang down behind the tires help out when backing up off road, they don't come in contact with the tires. Well, they will if whatever you're backing up against is tall enough, but most of the time they won't. I've used my truck to drag logs and tree stumps, and I haven't damaged or lost a mudflap yet.
Andy

[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 10-11-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

I have the "Cummins Power"rocker covers on my truck. They are great looking and easy to install. John,youll need to get a first hand look at Dyno Days. Im also in the process of hand building 2 light bars,These are made from brushed stainless and will be attached to the rockers. Im hoping the lights accent the nerfbars and rocker covers especially at night. BTW,youll also need to check out Mike Clays nerfbar.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB( so what it works},my own designed CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers(more to come)

 

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Hey Mike, I saw the very first set of brushed stainless steel rocker panels (first with Cummins Power cutouts too) on a friend of Jason's, Flame Red Ram at Dyno Days in April. I'm a sucker for that brushed stainless steel. Takes all kinds I guess.

Can't wait to hear (oops! I mean see) your new Ram with all your modifications.

Does anyone know if Jason Burton (owner of NW Custom) will be at Dyno Days? I think I'm talking myself into a pair... ... . maybe.

 

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Very subtle, John!

(oops)!

 

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I think Jason's "behind the curve" a little when it comes to marketing his product. I talked to him on the phone and he admitted that the website (Northwest Custom) needs some work; it's becoming more of a priority with him, each day. He told me that the e-mail situation (can't e-mail him at present) and the fax situation (can't fax him, either) will be corrected in the near future. He's (like a lot of other small businesses) doing this out of his home, and computer-techo-wizardry is not, by his own admission, his strong suit.

You can call him at: 509-291-3800. You'll either get his answering machine (you'll hear his wife "Gail") or he'll pick up the phone and answer your questions. Hey, this isn't "General Motors," but the products are terrific, and Jason's a **** of a nice guy.

I had an idea (was tempted to lie down and take a nap 'till the headache passed... ) that I wanted to throw out there and see if Jason would be interested... (or anyone else).

The one drawback of the current rocker panel set up is that it's tough to maintain the area of the paint that is revealed by the die-cut, cutouts. I ordered (as mentioned above) the Ram's Head logo, and I love the way it looks on the truck. Here's my concern, however: In order to install the stainless rocker panels, you are first instructed to wash the mating, painted surfaces of your truck's rocker panels with a detergent, then wipe them down, thoroughly, with a de-waxer, "paint prep" chemical such as Toluene (Some potent stuff! well-ventilated area, please!!). Being an obedient (and not especially imaginative) cuss, I did as I was instructed. After the chemical wipe-down your rocker panels are VERY dull looking. They almost appear to have been wet-sanded with, say, a 300 grit abrasive. This, of course, is designed to promote the adherence of the 3M double-stick adhesive which keeps the stainless panels faithfully stuck (forget about EVER getting those suckers off -- or repositioned!). Here's my concern: The area of paint behind the cut-out (Ram's Head logo, "Cummins Power," whatever... ) is now effectively "stripped" of any protection and it's inconvenient to get to for rewaxing purposes... Also, the edges of the cut-out design are very sharp (don't ask me how I know -- DOH!) and harder that the skin of your index finger (should you feel compelled to insert same into the cut-out and apply pressure... ).

Here's my idea for Jason. Why not have available, as an option, metal inserts that are pre-painted (powder-coated) in a variety of colors? My truck is emerald green. When I ordered my replacement Rancho links (upper and lower control arms) I decided to paint them the Rancho "red" color before I installed them. I had them powder-coated for durability and they are really "head-turners. " I get more comments about how sharp the links look (and coil springs) when viewed through the wheel wells up front -- especially with the red dust covers and logos of the Rancho 9000 shocks. Powder coating is an inexpensive process and makes the metal virtually bulletproof, thereafter. My truck has been over lots of rough terrain and the links remain scratch-free after almost a year of hard service...

If the area behind the rocker panel cut-outs was fitted (laminated to the back with more 3M adhesive) with another colored piece of light gauge metal, it'd really make the logo/design "pop," and enhance the appearance of the truck. I've even thought about masking off the logo area and spray painting the metal behind it with durable, automotive paint to match either the "Rancho Red" (Dodge Red?), or maybe the orange color of the "Cummins Turbo Diesel" legend on the Dodge fender plaque.

Jason could offer the cut-out "backers" in, say, a half-dozen powder-coated colors: "Dodge Red," "Banal Black," "Whoosie White," "Cummins Orange," (whatever... )

This stuff is WAY MORE important, than what debate-watchers thought about Albert Gore's "embellishment of the moment," ("earth tones," or Ronald Reagan haircut) or even the stuff that's currently being blown up in the Mideast... #ad
#ad


[This message has been edited by Sasquatch (edited 10-12-2000). ]