Jump to content

Nerf Bars/tube Steps...

Truckin2003

By Truckin2003
in The Off-Topic Bar

Recommended Posts

Truckin2003 Enthusiast

Truckin2003

Posted
Posted

all.

 

Im wanting to put some nice quality stainless tube steps on my truck. I like the ones that came on my year of truck from the factory. Anybody know who makes them for GM?

 

If not, what is going to be my best bet for a superior quality stainless steel step bar? I want something that is going to last...

 

I had my eye on the Westin Platinum series.

 

I went into a local shop today and he offered me three options:

Westin Platinum (being discontinued by the way) $430 - Chrome plated stainless steel

-or-

ICI $325. Never heard of them but there site says polished stainless. (better than chrome plated if you ask me)

-or-

Luverne $400.

 

 

I dont have to go with any of these, im just looking for advice. I'm not looking for the "cheapest" bars. I'm more for quality.

 

Thanks

Truckin2003 Enthusiast

Truckin2003

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Luverne is rock solid...I would go with them

 

 

I do like the Luverne, but I look at the installation instructions and they do not have a center support bracket. I believe I want whichever ones that i end up getting to have the center support bracket.

 

thanks for your input though.

 

Pat

dsr611 Senior Enthusiast

dsr611

Posted
Posted

Check out the Raptor series 5" oval steps. I just got a set and installed them on my truck. I think they are about as close to the GM steps as they come (5" oval for the Raptors vs 6" oval for the GM OEM steps). The only thing I didn't care for is that the front mounting bracket hit the body mount, causing an annoying "creaking" noise. I used a couple of washers to shim it away from the body mount and the creaking went away. Most of the other steps have the black plastic endcaps that are pressed in, while the Raptors have SS endcaps that are welded on.

 

 

Raptor Series 5" Oval Steps

welscher08 Enthusiast

welscher08

Posted
Posted

Would definitely check out the Luverne. Thats what we have on our work trucks and i like them alot, are they nerf bars or are the Luverne's a running board? Ours are the running board version and i know on the GMT-900's they have a style that bolts up just like nerf bars but are running boards. They might be available for the GMT-800's but might not.

Truckin2003 Enthusiast

Truckin2003

Posted
  • Author
Posted

thanks for the advice guys.

 

I ended up going with a set of westin platinum 4" oval nerf bars.

 

Ill let you know how they turn out.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By newdude · Posted

      Very true.   However.  GM did give those trucks with the single speed case Terrain Mode.  Terrain Mode mimics 4LO minus the gear reduction and torque capability.  It uses the ABS/braking system to perform the operation.  It also gives these one pedal driving (sort of) when in Terrain Mode via the active brake during throttle lift.     Does it have its limitations over a true 2 speed case?  Sure.  But it works.         
    • Chuck FB
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      Of course actually engaging four wheel drive is step one or even daring to use a ramp like that with a two wheel drive and getting into a mess because of it. As to 4 low, these last few years if its a GM half ton it may not even have low range. A lot of the newer pickups have a lot lower first gear in an automatic transmission then they once did as it was common at one time for a gas engine truck or even the older diesels to just sit there and bog the engine due to the torque converter stall point and not enough torque was generated on reasonable traction to even spin a tire or get out of its own way up a steep grade and 4 low HAD to be used to get enough power to four tires to get them turning. These days traction control systems may hinder a vehicle in a situation like that although that means a tire or tires are spinning so in some ways the traction control can reduce wild spinning and anyone can correct me on that but I think some vehicles cut traction control off in low range ?.    By the sounds of it and you may have the proper equipment but if your responsible for helping vehicles out if they are not able to get out under their own power, I would say to be using a nylon tow rope or have one available so that one is able to give a bit of a run to help sling shot them some initial momentum as most tow straps are made out of polypropylene and impart way too much shock load if used to jerk a stuck vehicle into motion but are totally fine to use if going more from almost a dead pull with the tow vehicle and they are a lot less expensive to replace if damaged. That and some soft shackles to hook onto closed loop tow hooks on the truck your pulling as well as you having the proper shackle insert in your truck so there are no bad accidents with metal clevises joining things together or chain on the end of a tow rope or tow balls being hooked onto etc flying and causing damage or worse if it lets go. Its always a challenge pulling people because some are clueless and will over run the tow rope or strap and drive over it or that risk of ramming into the back of the tow vehicle so usually a few instructions are needed to clue in the driver of the stuck truck. Yeah ... have fun out there 😉
    • Grumpy Bear
      OCI, not when but why?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      In their own words:    https://blog.amsoil.com/how-engine-sludge-forms-and-how-to-prevent-it-2/   [Quote] Synthetic Oil Helps Prevent Sludge Fortunately, sludge and varnish deposits are something that can be controlled. Using thermally stable synthetic base oils reduces the rate of degradation (oxidation).   Antioxidant additives further help reduce the rate of degradation. One of the most widely used is zinc dithiophosphate. Not only is it an excellent oxidation inhibitor, but it is also an outstanding anti-wear additive.   High-Quality Additives Fight Sludge Fortunately, it is possible to address many of the issues that occur after the initial oxidation stage. Additives, such as detergents and dispersants, help promote the suspension of contaminants within the oil and keep them from agglomerating.   Detergents, which are also alkaline in nature, assist in neutralizing acids generated in the sludge-building process. Antioxidant, dispersant and detergent additives are consumed during use.   To achieve maximum life expectancy, use a motor oil with high concentrations of antioxidant, dispersant and detergent additives.  [End Quote]   So quality base oil and then the last sentence above. TBN and ZDP levels matter. The one thing not covered was sufficient viscosity. Sad.     And yet we now have since API SN lower amount of them all with the only real change being a slight up tick in base oil selection. Along with lower concentrations of everything that makes oil work and lower and lower viscosity there is still an insistence on longer OCI's.    How low does the peanut butter and jelly level have to get before we say it's just white bread folded?    The new smoke and mirror treatment is the 'additives are INVISIBLE' to UOA testing with a health dose of TRUST ME.    I'm not picking on AMSOIL. This is coming from all of them. Every last one of them that abandon the low wear model in favor of the high mpg/EPA compliance model. 
    • KARNUT
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By KARNUT · Posted

      First off use it in the way you’re more comfortable. In working in off road situations most of my life I used 4WD low range very little. In most cases when equipped I used auto 4WD. If I wanted maximum control going up and down very steep terrain  I used low range. Especially if I was driving a diesel. Same with very rutted terrain. In very muddy or snowy conditions I wanted momentum so high range worked well for that. With gravel ramps with limited traction I would try high range first. I would want smooth even increasing speed if I was fighting traction. Low range could give you too much to the wheels breaking traction trying to move. 
    • Z45
      Towing In Loose Gravel

      By Z45 · Posted

      Having owned 4wd vehicle since the 1970s I find there are varying opinions on how to use 4wd, every owner is an expert in their minds.  IMO, 4LO is the appropriate gear and what I would use,  You have to feather the gas to avoid spinning tires and the lower the gear the better chance.  But like I said you will find those that think their method is best.  I live near a boat launch.  Yesterday there was a new Ford Maverick pulling out a pontoon boat almost 2x its size, they had no problems and they don't have a LO range.   True story. One winter day not long ago I was coming out of small town post office and there was a F150 4wd parked in front and was stuck foot deep snow ruts. I knew the lady so I asked her to put it in 4wd (wondering why in the middle of a 2-day snow storm she wasn't).  Her reply surprised me, "my husband" (the expert) told me not use that because it uses too much gas. She finally got unstuck spinning in 2wd which likely used more gas than not.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...