Nerf Bar Dilemma

vodapas · February 15, 2006

So,

Here's my little ordeal. I wasn't really sure about ordering nerf bars to begin with. I was pretty happy with the looks of my truck and saw no real practical use for them. However, when the wife found out I had ordered a set of Super Swamper SSRs and that I am going to perform the requisite 3" body lift to fit them (oh and a 6" suspension lift when I get back to the mainland) she said no way was she going to try to get into my truck without some kind of step. So, that said, I decided it was time to find a set to order.

Since they weren't on my original plans and therefore not budgeted for, I decided to find a good deal on Ebay. After a brief search I found a nice set of stainless steel 3" bars that looked nice and had a nice price tag on them. Since my truck is Black and I am working towards the mono-chromatic look, I ordered the bars in black powder coat.

Well, everything seemed to work great. Customer service was good and the bars arrived super fast. However, when I opened the box today I said to my self, "That ain't black powder coat." Right I was. They accidentally sent me a set of the (actually more expensive) polished stainless bars. Uh oh.

Now, I will say that they are a nice looking set of bars and the quality is very good. But, it's not what I ordered. I have obviously contacted the company and I am awaiting their reply.

The thing is, I really don't like having to deal with someone else's mistake. The box is pretty beat up from shipping, so packaging them back up to send them back is gonna suck.

Anyhow, let me get ot the real question. Do you think I should keep the polished bars and ask for a partial refund since it's not the product I ordered. Or should I suck it up, repackage the polished bars and exchange them for what I originally ordered? I think the vendor may agree to either option. The first because it is dam expensive to ship big bulky items to Hawaii and the second because it was their mistake.

Really, the question boils down more to a matter of appearance. My truck is a Black Onyx 2001 Silverado EC/SB. I am removing/repainting all factory pieces that are chrome. However, the new tires will be mounted on polished Mickey Thompson Classic Locks. So, I don't think the polished bars will look out of place. But, part of me says the black bars would blend better into the overall look of the truck.

I know you guys can't tell me what I will like better. But, I wanted to poll the views of those who are familiar with how these trucks look and what looks good on them. (BTW if you've made this far in this little mini-novel I've written, thank you and I'm very impressed. Don't forget to vote and please leave me any feed-back you have.)

Thanks.

pm26 · February 20, 2006

OK, look at it from a practical standpoint:

You live in Hawaii, so I assume that you get your share of salt spray that corrodes everything in sight. I am in coastal Florida, so I know what I am talking about.

My primary consideration would be corrosion resistance. There is nothing worse looking than a rusty set of nerf bars or a corroding grill guard on a nice looking vehicle.

Unless the black powder coated bars are powder coated stainless steel, I would not get them. Chances are they are just powder coated plain carbon steel. Even if they give you lifetime warranty on the finish, this will not include taking bars off the truck, shipping the old ones back, and reinstalling the new ones.

The OEM GM black nerf bars are powder coated stainless steel. Same for platinum series Westin bars. If you insist on getting the poder coated bars, make sure they are in fact powder coated stainless steel. But if they are, the price will be correspondingly high.

If I were you, I would keep the stainless bars. If they are polished 304 series stainless steel, chances are they will never corrode and all they may require is some polishing once in a while. Some people do not like the plished stainless because it does not match the chrome look on the mupers of the vehicle. Personally, I really do not think they look bad at all. I would look at the nerf bar tube and workmanship and make sure that the step pad area is just flattened tube, not a cutout, and that the tube is thick enough to resist bending when stepped on. That would be high on my list of priorities.

Just my $ 0.02.

blue-sierra · February 26, 2006

I say keep the chrome ones. Obviously you like them a bit or you wouldnt even consider keeping them, AND if you do decide that you'd rather have the black powdercoat then you could always sell the chromes, and maybe even make a little money.

vodapas · February 28, 2006

Well,

Just wanted to add a little update. I did end up sticking with the polished bars. There was yet another speed bump upon install because the seller sent me install directions for an HD. But, they then sent me a copy of Westin's instructions which have all of the SC/EC/HD install guides. So, they got on eventually.

Even though I had a not so great experience with the seller I have to say these ebay bars aren't bad. When I looked at the Westin install guide I realized that's all these are. A Westin rip off, but a quality one. They are polished or pc'd stainless, very sturdy with a nice finish for about a third of the price of Westin's.

The seller is going to refund me $40 for not sending the right set. Kind of a deal when you consider the polished bars actually cost more than the pc'd. So, that worked out.

Appearance wise I think they look a little funny right now since the truck still has the standard Z85 rake to it. But, I'm going to be adding a 2" front leveling kit and a 3" body lift along with the bigger tires in the next couple of weeks. So, soon they will look at home and will actually be needed (at least for my wife).

I also think the polished finish will work even though I'm blacking out the truck. My Mickey Thompson Classic Locks and Gibson ST exhaust tips are polished anyhow. So, it's gonna kind of be black on top, polished on the bottom.

My only real worry is that the bars and the exhaust tips will look kind of funny when the body is lifted 3" away from them. But, that's the cost of clearing the larger tires on a 2wd. Maybe it won't look too bad. We'll see.

Thanks for everyone's inputs and votes. I appreciate it.

bigred91 · December 19, 2006

i think nerf bars are a waste of money. they dont protect the underside of your vehicle at all. if anything get the steps that fall down when you open the door or actually build bars that weld up and protect your truck

catch2otwo · December 24, 2006

uh nerfbars arnt made to protect your truck. they are made for stepping on. the steps that fall down when you open the door dont protect your truck either.

jdwvw · December 28, 2006

If you decide that you really want them black you could always take them down and have them sprayed with your choice of spray on bed liner.

HyperBuzzin · December 30, 2006

Do you guys realize how old this post is?

Also, the OP hasn't posted since May of this year.

HyperBuzzin · February 27, 2007

Something funny is going on here.

I clicked 'View new posts' and this came up?

I posted this in December ????

brnr17 · July 9, 2007

i think nerf bars are a waste of money. they dont protect the underside of your vehicle at all. if anything get the steps that fall down when you open the door or actually build bars that weld up and protect your truck

i hope u were drunk when you wrote that

giant96 · August 7, 2007

Stainless all the way!!

04z71steve · August 7, 2007

Well, everything seemed to work great. Customer service was good and the bars arrived super fast. However, when I opened the box today I said to my self, "That ain't black powder coat." Right I was. They accidentally sent me a set of the (actually more expensive) polished stainless bars. Uh oh.

may i ask where you got these from off ebay?