anyone have Experience with Westin Step Bars?

[truckofwinandawesome]

well, the Gifts destined for the Win and Awesome just keep piling up, We ordered a set of Black Westin 3" Round Step Bars, and I was wondering a few things:

 

1) how hard are they to install? (gonna install them myself)

 

2) how hard are they to keep clean?

 

and

 

3) does anyone own a set, and have you had any problems?

 

any help and advice is welcomed!

 

(Mods: if this is in the Wrong Forum section, you have my permission to move it to the proper area)

[2007silveradonbs]

I have a set of 4" oval black bars on my truck. The mounts for the bars mount to the body mounts. THE BODY MOUNT BOLTS ARE LONG AND HARD TO GET OUT BY HAND. I tried to get them out by hand at first, but quickly learned that was not the way. So, I used an impact wrench and it went quick. Other that that, they are simple to put on. I had both sides done in 45 minutes. It would have been quicker if I had not done the first body mount bolt by hand.

[BigBlueLB756]

I did my 3" bars by hand and had no trouble with the bolts other than having to add some large washers between the bars and the body mount pockets to get more clearance so they wouldn't touch and cause body squeaking.

 

Two washers per bolt should do. Remember to torque the bolts to 63 lb/ft.

[karlitos]

I got the 4" ovals and it wasn't difficult to install on my '10 crew cab. The hardest part was removing the bolts, they are long and have some form of thread locker. I guess I could of used an impact which would have made the install a little quicker but, I was still able to remove the bolts with a little elbow grease. I took my time and it took a little bit over an hour to install. Haven't had any issues yet and they have been on there for about 3 months. They weren't that difficult to install.

[RyanbabZ71]

I had some on my old 2000. Very good bars. Had them installed in about 30 mins. Not bad to keep clean other than the plastic pad. I have tried many things over the years and nothing worked that great, back to black was ok. Nothing really lasted through rain

[tpdolph]

^{I have the 6" ovals was very easy to install on my crew cab & the step pads are supposed to be uv protected..}

[tyhuck]

Like stated, they are easy to install. 30 minutes if you take a 15 minute break.

 

Keeping them clean depends on where you drive. Most people that never leave pavement can keep them as clean as the rest of the truck, but people like me that frequent dirt roads and offroad trails might get some mud splash on occasion, especially if you have wider tires or offset wheels.

[j13smiley]

search for threads about the captive nuts breaking off. as posted here they are sometimes difficult to remove because of the thread lock and poorly welded... hence they can break. then you are stuck cutting the floor pan to fix.

 

i personally am trying to find some nerf bars that bolt to the frame instead of the body mounts... anyone got any ideas???

 

ps - i had westin on my old truck... they rusted like hell. i will absolutely be buying a different brand for this truck.

[Ieatlead]

I have the black 4" ovals on my crew cab 2009 silverado. They were easy to install with just a socket and exstension for extra leverage. 6 bolts in total no impact needed on mine. Just be careful that the front mount is not contacting the frame to body shroud where the rubber. I pulled mine out to far and the westin mount was touching the metal there. When I accelerated, and turned it would make the most awful noises. I loosened the bar moved it back a few millimeters and then re tightened, No more issues.

[Ieatlead]

I also had the same bars on a ridgeline for several years and the never got rusted or broke. I also live in Texas so your results may vary. I think they are a great value, which is why I bought them for my Silverado.

[btrbbt]

I have 3" black Westin bars on regular cab 2500. I like the look and hate that the right rear cab mount squeaks a lot. Glad i read this forum because the squeak might be fixed by adding that washer that BigBlueLB756 mentioned.... Thanks big blue! I have tried tightening the joint, tried silicone spray, wd40, and cussing profusely to no avail. Maybe that 75 cent washer will fix it! Also, to clean them and keep them looking good and not rusty I spray them with wd40 and it makes the black and step plastic look like new!

[Daryl LBZ]

Dad had the 3" Black ones on his truck. They rusted out in about 4 or 5 years. They are easy to install though.

[HapHazard]

I have 3-inch round Westins on my 2009 Silverado. I had them installed at the truck accessory shop where I bought them because they installed them for free. They are relatively easy to keep clean. I bought the lesser expensive bars because I live where salt / sand is not applied to the roads in winter. There was a 3-year guarantee (as opposed to a lifetime guarantee), but I have seen very little wear in the last 2-plus years, but I do wash the truck often

[RyanbabZ71]

As far as rust they make different types made of different material. The black steel ones will rust (my 1st set did) My second set was black aluminum and had no issues