Summit Racing Stainless Nerf Bars?

[Patriot Diesel]

I am looking at all the different brands of stainless steel nerf bars. Steel Horse, Westin, Putco... etc...



In the process I have discovered that Summit Racing sells their own brand of stainless steel nerfs bars at a VERY good price.



Has anyone bought these? If so... what do you think of them? How is their quality?



Thanks!!



Jeff

 

[Dkevdog]

I just ordered a set yesterday- should have them by the end of the week. I spoke to a guy in their tech dept that told me he felt they were every bit as nice looking as the Westins and almost Identical in construction. The step area is compressed- not cut, just like the Westins. The bars are chrome plated stainless- just like the Westins. He told me the brackets are very close to the same and the installation is also no-drill.





Oh BTW- The main difference I found is that the Westins have a limited lifetime warranty where the Summit bars only have a 1 Year Warranty. Other than the Chrome plating coming apart, I can't see why you'd need much of a warranty.



I'll let you know when I get them what my thoughts are, I've had the Westins and they are great. But when the Summit bars are virtually the same for 1/3 less?? Hard not to at least give it a try.



Kev

 

[Dkevdog]

Jeff- Got 'em last night. Haven't installed them yet (raining) but everything looks pretty good. They ersemble the Westin's very closely with two exceptions. First- they have a threaded rod that bolts completely through the bar and attaches to the upper body support on the truck. This is in addition to beefy body mount brackets that everyone uses. Many (Smitty, Westin, Grizzly) only rely on body mounts to do the job, or a piece of metal strapping to the body to help support the bar. The rod setup looks pretty strong and easy to install. The Hardware packet is just zinc plate, I will be exchanging all of it for Stainless, but none of them- Westin's included have stainless hardware.



Second- The finish, while chrome plated stainless steel, is not quite as mirrorlike as the Westins. It still has a great finish, but having had the CPS Westins before, the finish on them is show quality.



All in all, I am happy with them, expecially given the $150 less in price. Time will tell how long they hold up . I wouldn't hesitate on reccomending them.



Kev

 

[Patriot Diesel]

that sounds pretty good...

Kev,



I think if I get them I would get the polished stainless... I am sure it will not be as shiny as the chrome plated finish but I won't have to worry about the finish coming off either. They sound real nice.



Let me know how they look after install... better yet... post a picture if you can...



thanks again...



jeff

 

[Ramboy]

I have had mine on for over a year and have been very happy with them. They are quality bars.

 

[JGabl]

curios also...

Anyone have pic. 's of these steps installed? Any more feedback? Thanks~Jim.

 

[Dkevdog]

I played around with them a bit last night, the more I look at the installation kit the more I like how they attach in four places. It will largely depend on whether or not we go camping this weeking, but if we don't I should have pics by tomorrow.



Kev

 

[Dkevdog]

OK- Got them installed today. There were a few aspects of the install that made for a PITA . There are some aluminum sleeve inserts that go through the bar where the T-Bolt threads are passed through the bar. The machining on the whole threaded T-Bolt is crude, I had to chase the threads with a die, and the aluminum sleeves were burred and would catch the threads some.



Other than that, the installation was pretty easy. If anyone else gets these, the instructions are very poorly laid out, pay attention to how the T-Bolts go in, there are definite fronts/rears and they must line up or you'll fight getting them through the bars.



I think they look pretty good, they are not Westin's. I noticed something else after the instal- the bars are not the same tube wall thickness as the Westin's (or others, I imagine) As a result there is some flex in the actual bar if a good amount of wieght is applied to the bar. I weigh about 195 it flexed slightly under my wieght. Not a big deal, IMO, but noteworthy. My Westin's didn't flex.



Kev

 

[Dkevdog]

A photo of the Bar:



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[Dkevdog]

The mounting system, with T-Bolts shown where and how they attach to the Body.

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[Patriot Diesel]

food for thought...

Originally posted by Dkevdog



I think they look pretty good, they are not Westin's. I noticed something else after the instal- the bars are not the same tube wall thickness as the Westin's (or others, I imagine) As a result there is some flex in the actual bar if a good amount of wieght is applied to the bar. I weigh about 195 it flexed slightly under my wieght. Not a big deal, IMO, but noteworthy. My Westin's didn't flex.



Kev

Kev,



The Summits look real nice...



Would your experience make you think that it would be worth the extra bucks to buy the Westin's or stay with the Summits?



When you say... they are no Westin's... does that mean quality wise, the way they fit/look or the way they install, or all of the above?



Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Dkevdog]

Jeff- I would not hesitate to purchase them again. They really are pretty good. What I meant was the Westin's are definitely a better bar. Whether or not they are $140 better?? Hard to say. One noteworthy addition- I found that the bars also carry a limited lifetime warranty, not the one year warranty listed in the Summit catalog. I am not sure if the one year warranty is for the polished stainless, but the Chromed stainless carries the limited lifetime warranty.



The decision (IMO) is if you can afford the Westins, they are a better bar. If you are a heavier individual, the added strength of the Westin might be a big plus. However, for my kids and wife, these should do just fine. Ask me again in 6 months and I might have a different opinion, but I am happy with them now. As they say, time will tell.....



Kev