Buyer Beware - N-Fab sidesteps = Chinese Junk

I'm not talking about Japan, Thailand, S Korea or other countries that work hard to produce a good product. I'm talking about a communist state where they don't get paid, so they don't bother to produce something that won't fall apart. I don't want something made by a person who hates my country, hates me, and would be happy if my sidestep fell off and killed someone. I choose not to deal with companies who think it's all right to raise the US flag at their corporate HQ, but make the products I buy in China.

 

You need a snickers

 

I don't remember if I'd posted it but I had proof. I contacted N-Fab about a set for my Taco and after they asked for the part number, they explained it to me and told me to contact Smittybilt. They validated these were made in China.

I had the same fitment issue you did. I simply measured, locked the tab in a vise and bent it slightly until the holes measured up.

Smittybilt is a cheaper finish on thinner steel and does not come with the N-Fab lifetime guarantee.

Almost all companies do this... you can buy a quality appliance at a high-end store, then get the same model at Home Depot... two very different quality products that claim to be the same... And this goes for MANY companies. Research hard and stay informed.

 

Watch your language bro. We might have some Chinese members on here so take it easy.

 

Hopefully one made in the US

http://youtu.be/TPxiXGr9nFM

 

So, is all Smittybilt stuff made in China now? I used to sell their stuff 20 years ago before 4 Wheel Parts bought them. It was American made and solid. I have the 2" N-Fab steps on mine. No fitment issues, but the powdercoat job is going. I have rust forming underneath the powdercoat. Debating on sand blasting and repowdering, or spraying with bedliner stuff.

 

How long have you had them and are they the real N-Fab? Lifetime is for the build, but the finish is a 5yr guarantee. May get them done for free!

 

I'm just pointing out that your assertion that you were duped into the 2" bars is somewhat inaccurate because it says right on the smittybilt site that that particular part number is 2" bars , the 3" bars are available from N-Fab

 

Toyota is a Japanese company. Ask a Japanese person what they think of China sometime.

 

I had the smittybilt version of the nfabs bought through autoanything.com. They weren't built well at all. The powder coat came off and they rusted within a few months.

Auto anything did send me new steps with picture evidence. However, at that point they stopped producing the steps for the access cab and sent me a set for a dcsb instead. That's what they claimed anyway.

I ended up selling them on craigslist. I would not buy them again.

They were made in china.

 

Want another set of DCSB's? I'll make you a deal

 

No thank you. To be honest I felt like they hindered getting in and out of the truck. Always had to step out and over them and they got dirt on my pants.

I have a dclb now anyway.

 

I hear ya. The reason I need sidesteps is because my wife has bad knees.

 

I installed my N-Fab bars in January. Prior to buying them I did a lot of research and determined that if the name Smittybilt was on it, I was going to stay away from them because of exactly these kinds of problems that reviewers posted online. I have a couple of questions. Who did you order the step bars from? Did you order bars that were advertised as Smittybilts or N-fans?

For what it's worth, the N-Fab bars are really well made, and were a snap to put on.

 

sliders!

 

I bought the truck used 3 years ago. The steps were on another truck & the dealer switched them over in place of the OE running boards. I am not the original purchaser. Still not happy with the rust under the powdercoat.

 

x2

 

AutoAnything, and they are swapping the steps for a better brand. I don't blame them as they were also mistaken about the tube size. They can only trust what the manufacturer says, and now they know.

They carry Smittybilt, but all the boxes and steps say N-Fab (Not Smittybilt).
The confusion is that the Smittybilt version is now only in a 2 inch and made in China. AutoAnything was unaware of this change. If they had known, they would have told me, and I would have chosen a different product.

This is my main concern, and the reason for this thread. If a company wants to license their name to an inferior product then they should be transparent about it. If not, then all their products should be suspect along with the company's reputation. I don't care if all companies do it. This is misleading to the customer, and can lead to dangerous accidents. I wouldn't trust these steps to protect my truck nor provide safe access for my family.

AutoAnything has requested I dispose of these things, since they can't guarantee the fit or longevity. Maybe I'll let them rust slowly in the yard.

 

Sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me. My ancestors were from China. Stereotype is the norm. Suck it up.

 

Not a wise choice of words on my part and I apologize. I'm not angry with the people who made this product, but the government who treats them like a disposable cog. I'm more angry with N-Fab and Smittybilt for encouraging misleading advertising.