2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Wheel to Wheel Nerf bars

[kenny61]

Had somebody sideswipe me the other day. Naturally it appears that he does not want to take reponsibility Need to replace my step so now I am considering wheel to wheel nerf bars. If I had a strong bar I think it would have prevented the 4k+ in damage. Anybody recomend any product? Nothing I googled up really looked that strong. Or should I have something custum made?

 

[FHerault]

Ouchh... sorry for you...



I've just removed the wheel to wheel aluminium steps, they are just bolted on cab and bed and to the fenders with mud flaps... It's just a good thing to add rust because the cab and the bed don't move together because of the flexibility of the frame and that peels the paint off near the bolts...

Others are bolted on the cab to frame supports... I've begun to make them myself because I don't want to put so much money on steps, and I didn't find anything on the net that suits my needs and budget...



You should perhaps have something directly bolted to the frame with 3 or 4 supports, it will be very heavy, and in a side impact hope that will not damage the frame, but it should be very solid in little impacts and off-road (mine will be just the cab lenght... )

It might be high-end products, so perhaps you should make a draw and go to a welding shop ?

 

[kenny61]

Thats what I want a solid mount to the frame and some strong steel tubing. Looking over the damage it looks like they would have prevented the damage. What ticks me off is that the blue book value on my truck is only around 5k so 4500 will result in the truck being totaled. Even if he admits the accident was his fault I will only still have to pay some out of pocket. It really ticks me off that my truck is worth less than a door and some body work

 

[FHerault]

I understand...

Above all, your truck is doing the job of a 35K $ new truck...

Would the law let you repair with used body parts to push the repair cost lower ?



Your previous steps were bolted on the cab support ? Are they damaged ?

 

[kenny61]

If worse comes to worse I take what I can get and do what I can with it. There is no regulation on how the money has to be spent. The steps are bolted onto the frame all bent up time for new ones anyway.



When I ordered the truck in 96 I got it with the cummins because I wanted at least a 300k truck. I know have about 216 K There is no rust and up until now the body was pretty straight other than some small dings. The only major body type problem the truck has is the tailgate fit the hinges and pins are all worn out. I planned on getting that issue fixed and driving the truck unti I die (I'm only 40 ) I have grown very attached to my truck

 

[JJPage]

I have the Putco w/w 4" Boss Bars, probably still not as strong as what you are describing, but some of the stoutest available.



Last winter a guy at work, drove over a snow berm that a grader had left from plowing the road. When he got home, he could not get his drivers door open, seems the snow berm pushed his nerf bar up enough to block his door... . I not sure what brand they were.

 

[kenny61]

Them putco's in wheel to wheel are a little over a grand I'm thinking some 4" tubing covered in bed liner is the way I'm gonna go. I have to see if I can find a place to put the 2 bends in it