Nerf bars that will not rust

[TCINTN]

I have some chrome nerf bars on my 2006 3500 Dodge Mega cab which have started to rust really bad. Is there anyone who can give me some pointers on some that will not.
I have researched and found some aluminum ones.They were Dee Zee.
Thanks

[Mike_Up]

I've had powered coated aluminum bars on Nissan trucks, black plastic on Ford SPort Trac and '16 F150, and chrome on '10 F150 and '12 F150.

Never chrome again. Corrodes or rusts. I really like the black plastic side steps on my F150. Best side step I've had. Flat all the way across and solid with no flex.

Only steps I've had issues with are chrome.

[Ron3rd]

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Well, hard to explain why me and transamz9 had such different experiences, but sounds like the OP should go with Westin - checking on the availability of the lifetime warranty, and then keeping the receipt.

The ones I replaced the Westins with are lifetime warranty also and IMO much stronger feeling. I also like the step pads 100X better because they are rubber not slick plastic.

The Step pads sound nice - can you share a link?

Chrome Step Bars

Those are similar to the stainless steel Lund bars I posted in my link above. I went with the wheel well to wheel well bars that help getting into the bed. Love 'em!

[transamz9]

2012Coleman wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Well, hard to explain why me and transamz9 had such different experiences, but sounds like the OP should go with Westin - checking on the availability of the lifetime warranty, and then keeping the receipt.

The ones I replaced the Westins with are lifetime warranty also and IMO much stronger feeling. I also like the step pads 100X better because they are rubber not slick plastic.

The Step pads sound nice - can you share a link?

Chrome Step Bars

[2012Coleman]

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
Well, hard to explain why me and transamz9 had such different experiences, but sounds like the OP should go with Westin - checking on the availability of the lifetime warranty, and then keeping the receipt.

The ones I replaced the Westins with are lifetime warranty also and IMO much stronger feeling. I also like the step pads 100X better because they are rubber not slick plastic.

The Step pads sound nice - can you share a link?

[transamz9]

2012Coleman wrote:
Well, hard to explain why me and transamz9 had such different experiences, but sounds like the OP should go with Westin - checking on the availability of the lifetime warranty, and then keeping the receipt.

The ones I replaced the Westins with are lifetime warranty also and IMO much stronger feeling. I also like the step pads 100X better because they are rubber not slick plastic.

[2012Coleman]

Well, hard to explain why me and transamz9 had such different experiences, but sounds like the OP should go with Westin - checking on the availability of the lifetime warranty, and then keeping the receipt.

[Thunderbolt]

I just looked on Westin's web page and the stainless bars have a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser.

[Thunderbolt]

I have the same setup only chrome stainless and after 11 years of Minnesota winters they are still solid. And Westin has a lifetime warranty on the stainless ones if I recall.

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
I've had powder coated Westin bars like this since 2003. No rust issues. Available at Auto Anything linked in a previous post on this thread.

I had the ones you have on my 2005 and replaced them with the one I linked on Auto Anything. The reason was they rusted....from the inside out. They still looked great on the outside but you could literally just about push your finger through them in places. The problem with them is that they are open on the end mounts allowing water inside. They are not powder coated inside.

Sorry to hear that. Mine are connected to a flat plate at the ends which in turn is connected to the frame - so no open ends. I didn't get them at Auto Anything - got them at one of those truck accessory places. They have held up well.

Yes, exactly like mine were. That plate is not sealed to the end of the tube. The tube has a flat bar welded in the end of it which is threaded for the bolt. That flat bar is not as big as the tube and allows water intrusion. Yours are exactly like mine were that rusted from the inside out. Mine were put on by the dealer when the truck was new in 2005. Funny thing is my truck is only driven in the rain when I am caught in the rain while driving. If the roads are wet we will take the wife's car. LOL

[transamz9]

2012Coleman wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
I've had powder coated Westin bars like this since 2003. No rust issues. Available at Auto Anything linked in a previous post on this thread.

I had the ones you have on my 2005 and replaced them with the one I linked on Auto Anything. The reason was they rusted....from the inside out. They still looked great on the outside but you could literally just about push your finger through them in places. The problem with them is that they are open on the end mounts allowing water inside. They are not powder coated inside.

Sorry to hear that. Mine are connected to a flat plate at the ends which in turn is connected to the frame - so no open ends. I didn't get them at Auto Anything - got them at one of those truck accessory places. They have held up well.

Yes, exactly like mine were. That plate is not sealed to the end of the tube. The tube has a flat bar welded in the end of it which is threaded for the bolt. That flat bar is not as big as the tube and allows water intrusion. Yours are exactly like mine were that rusted from the inside out. Mine were put on by the dealer when the truck was new in 2005. Funny thing is my truck is only driven in the rain when I am caught in the rain while driving. If the roads are wet we will take the wife's car. LOL

[transferred]

Smittybuilt black step rails on my 05 3500, holding up well at 143,000 miles.

[2012Coleman]

transamz9 wrote:

2012Coleman wrote:
I've had powder coated Westin bars like this since 2003. No rust issues. Available at Auto Anything linked in a previous post on this thread.

I had the ones you have on my 2005 and replaced them with the one I linked on Auto Anything. The reason was they rusted....from the inside out. They still looked great on the outside but you could literally just about push your finger through them in places. The problem with them is that they are open on the end mounts allowing water inside. They are not powder coated inside.

Sorry to hear that. Mine are connected to a flat plate at the ends which in turn is connected to the frame - so no open ends. I didn't get them at Auto Anything - got them at one of those truck accessory places. They have held up well.

[transamz9]

2012Coleman wrote:
I've had powder coated Westin bars like this since 2003. No rust issues. Available at Auto Anything linked in a previous post on this thread.

I had the ones you have on my 2005 and replaced them with the one I linked on Auto Anything. The reason was they rusted....from the inside out. They still looked great on the outside but you could literally just about push your finger through them in places. The problem with them is that they are open on the end mounts allowing water inside. They are not powder coated inside.

[2012Coleman]

I've had powder coated Westin bars like this since 2003. No rust issues. Available at Auto Anything linked in a previous post on this thread.

[Ron3rd]

Check out the Lund stainless steel, wheel well to wheel well running boars. The extra length past the cab into the bed is great for Mega cabs. $389 with free shipping from Jegs. I know these are not the traditional "nerf bars" but are kind of a hybrid between a running board and a nerf bar. Very good and safe surface for the wife to step on. Very satisfied so far. Also, being stainless steel, they should not rust.

LUND WHEELWELL TO WHEELWELL BARS